Visitors to Hafal’s stand at the Eisteddfod this week have been briefed on the state of mental health services in Wales in a fun and informative way courtesy of the famous fairytale figure of Cinderella who has been on hand, complete with carriage, to greet attendees.
The theme of Hafal’s stand this year is “Don’t sweep us under the carpet!” and hundreds of flyers with this message have been distributed throughout the week. The flyers explain how, over the years, the mental health sector in Wales has remained a Cinderella service – hard working but neglected; impoverished and denied its fortune; hidden out of sight and never going to the ball!
On Wednesday a rally of Hafal Members, which was addressed by Hafal Trustee Ceinwen Rowlands, took place at Hafal’s stand. In her speech Ceinwen outlined what people can do to ensure that mental health services in Wales are maintained and improved.
She said: “Because there are hard times ahead now is a good moment for us all to ask ourselves what we can do to try to ensure that mental health services in Wales are not unfairly sidelined in the years to come.
“So what does Hafal need to do? And what can our members do to help people with a serious mental illness?
“Well, Hafal will continue to firmly and fairly put our case to the Assembly Government. We will also make the case for fair funding to MPs and AMs and we will continue campaigning for improved services in Wales as we have done for many years.
“What we ask of our Members is for them to keep an eye on their local AM and MP and challenge them firmly but courteously if they think that services in their locality are under threat.”
Following the rally Hafal Members were encouraged to visit, as individuals or in pairs, the key people who are important to Hafal in its campaign – the political parties, local authorities and others in attendance at the Eisteddfod.
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