At Gofal, we are delighted to have signed up to support Age Cymru’s ‘Rule Out Abuse’ campaign. You can join us in showing support for the campaign by signing the Rule Out Abuse Charter today. Everyone hopes to grow old healthily and safely. We hope our relatives will too. Sadly, this is not always the [...]
Time to Change Wales, the campaign to end the stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental health problems in Wales, is collecting photos to create a montage of faces from Wales for their leaflets and publicity materials. The campaign is keen to use photos of real people, both with and without lived experience of [...]
A consultation on the Welsh Government’s new mental health strategy has been launched today by Health Minister Lesley Griffiths. ‘Together for Mental Health’ is a cross government strategy, which covers all ages and seeks to ‘promote better mental wellbeing among the whole population’ and ‘address the needs of people with mental health problems or a mental [...]
Gofal has secured Big Lottery funding to run the innovative new ‘GreengAge’ project. This exciting initiative combines Gofal’s mental health expertise with horticulture and volunteering, in order to improve wellbeing and reduce social isolation amongst older people in Cardiff. Social isolation is a concern for many older people, as physical health begins to restrict their [...]
On Sunday 15th April 2012 the third Brighton Marathon took place, attracting over 9,000 runners and raising over £4m for more than 300 charities. Gofal would like to congratulate Paul Jones of the Mumbles Milers running club who completed the marathon on our behalf in a chip time of 3:54:13. This is an excellent achievement [...]
On the 16th June 2012, United Welsh and Capita will join forces to take on the Welsh Three Peaks Team Challenge on behalf of Gofal. 16 walkers from United Welsh and 8 from Capita have come together to take on the challenge of scaling the three highest peaks of Wales. Starting their challenge at the [...]
If you’re looking for a new challenge this year, why not take on one of Gofal’s fundraising events and make a real difference to the lives of people experiencing mental ill health? We are currently recruiting teams of 4 or more people to take on our Welsh 3 Peaks Team Challenge, and we are also [...]
On Friday 24th February, service users from across south Wales attended Gofal’s largest ever Service User Conference at the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff. The event brought together people from across south Wales to promote positive mental health and wellbeing, with the chance to take part in activities such as samba drumming and a range of [...]
Gofal is looking for a talented Business Manager to generate significant commercial growth for its social enterprise PS Services. For more information, please visit our recruitment section.
Fundraising volunteers from Gofal were invited to Cardiff Arms Park on Friday evening (10th February) to take part in a bucket collection before the Cardiff Blues and Connacht game. This was the first time the Blues had played at Cardiff Arms Park since their move to the Cardiff City Stadium in 2009. Gofal’s team of [...]
Gofal is celebrating after a night of success at a recent national awards ceremony. Gofal picked up three awards at the Promoting Independence Awards 2011 (PIAs) for its excellent work within the housing-related support, homelessness and supported living sector. The PIAs is a joint venture between Cymorth Cymru and Welsh Local Authorities, which is held [...]
We must ensure the Mental Health (Wales) Measure makes a positive change JUST over a year ago, the Mental Health (Wales) Measure was voted through the National Assembly and subsequently sent to the Privy Council for Royal approval. It was, and continues to be, a shining beacon of cross-party and multi-organisational work, clearly focused on [...]
Last week, Huw Lewis – the Welsh Government Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage – visited one of Gofal’s supported housing projects in Bridgend. The Minister was greeted by a number of Gofal staff members, as well as one of our current service users, Natalie, who receives housing related support in Bridgend. After meeting the [...]
How GPs could make an impact on treating people with a mental illness. By Gofal’s Executive Director, Ewan Hilton. IN LAST month’s column I mentioned a blog post by Purple Persuasion called 10 things not to say to a depressed person. The blog listed 10 common, well-intentioned but ill-informed typical responses that people face when [...]
Gofal’s latest Supporters’ Newsletter, Thinking Differently – October 2011, is now available to view online. Click here: Gofal Supporters Newsletter – Thinking Differently – Oct 2011. If you would like to sign up to our mailing list to receive future editions of our Supporter’s Newsletter, then please click here.
Our Annual Report for 2010-11 has been published. Aiming to capture ‘a year in the life of Gofal’ in the course of a single day, we hope it will offer people a flavour of the work that we do and the difference that we make to people’s lives, as well as where our money comes [...]
Our latest Report ‘The voice of lived experience,’ was officially launched yesterday evening (11th October) by the Health Minister Lesley Griffiths AM, at Ty Hywel, Cardiff Bay. The Report is the result of video interviews with a number of people with lived experience of mental ill health and a few members of Gofal staff, about [...]
Employees from Gofal’s Bridgend team are about to tackle a mammoth 25 mile walk that will raise funds for service user events in their area. Steve Warner, Ian Thomas, Mark Hanbury and Eleri Thomas will put on their walking boots next Friday 23rd September for the trek from Barry to Bridgend. Joining them on the [...]
Just 25 years ago, most people experiencing serious mental illness would have been treated in long-stay psychiatric institutions. Now, most people receive support in the community. It’s part of a shift in thinking that recognises that people who experience mental ill health can, with the right support, live independently, be in work (or education) and [...]
Time to Change, England’s mental health anti-discrimination campaign, is currently focusing on ‘It’s Time to Talk’. They’re trying to break the silence around mental health; something we wholeheartedly agree with. Earlier this month, however, a blog post from Purple Persuasion (http://purplepersuasion.wordpress.com/) which was being widely circulated on social networking sites, offered us the flip side [...]
THE DEADLINE FOR THIS POST HAS NOW CLOSED Gofal are seeking to appoint a new Public Affairs Manager. This is an excellent opportunity for an outstanding Public Affairs professional to take a lead role in improving the lives of people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, mental ill health in Wales. You will have responsibility [...]
‘People’ and their ‘Spaces’ are the focus for our latest social enterprise. PS Services is a cleaning and grounds maintenance business with a social conscience that aims to make a real difference to its employees, its customers and the communities which it serves. From actively promoting the mental wellbeing of those it employs to providing [...]
Gofal’s social enterprise, Not Just Nuts, has been shortlisted in the ‘Social Enterprise of the Year’ category for the South Wales Business Awards 2011. Gofal launched Not Just Nuts (an online, ethical, social business) in 2008. It offers an exciting range of quality organic, fairtrade and local products but its success lies within the paid [...]
Research suggests that up to 90% of prisoners experience mental ill health, and that up to three-quarters of men in prison will have two or more “mental disorders”. Setting aside the fact that there is a serious debate to be had as to whether prison is the most appropriate place to treat and rehabilitate people [...]
On Wednesday, July 13th, 11 organisations with an interest in health, social care and wellbeing will hold an event at the Pierhead building in Cardiff Bay. The event, which has been organised in conjunction with the Assembly’s External Communications team, offers Assembly Members and their staff, as well as committee officials and those working for [...]
Gofal’s latest Supporters’ Newsletter, Thinking Differently – July 2011, is now available to view online. Click here to read the newsletter. If you would like to sign up to our mailing list to receive future editions of our Supporter’s Newsletter, then please click here.
This article appears in the latest edition of the Bevan Foundation’s magazine, Review. Despite the fact that one in four of us will experience mental ill health, people still hesitate to talk about it. Many people with mental health issues have experienced discrimination, disadvantage or exclusion simply because they are ill. How can a number [...]
Gofal’s head office is relocating to new premises as of this Friday 1st July. The move will take approximately 3 working days and may cause a problem with telephone and email communications. We anticipate that we will be fully operational again from Wednedsay 6th July. Our new address will be: Gofal, 2nd Floor, Derwen House, [...]
Following the exciting news that Gofal, Mind Cymru and Hafal have been successful in securing funding to bring the Time to Change mental health anti-discrimination campaign to Wales, the search is now on to find the right person to deliver the campaign. If you’d be interested in using your leadership, programme management and communication skills [...]
A 7-a-side football tournament for users of mental health, homelessness and Communities First organisations is taking place at PlayFootball, Newport this Thursday 16th June. The event has been organised by Newport’s Gateway Project to promote good health and wellbeing through exercise. The Gateway Project is one of many projects offered by Welsh mental health charity [...]
Three leading mental health charities in Wales granted nearly £2 million for collaboration to challenge stigma and discrimination. Three leading mental health charities in Wales are joining forces today to challenge the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health problems with the launch of a new national programme. Time to Change Wales will be lead by [...]
WE WERE one of a number of charities celebrating recently, after receiving a share of the £20m awarded in Wales by the Big Lottery AdvantAge Programme, which aims to improve the quality of life of older people through overcoming loneliness and social isolation. Wales has a higher proportion of older people than any other country [...]
If you’ve been listening to Real Radio this week you’ll know they’ve been spotlighting Gofal for their What’s on the Web feature. We’re really grateful for their support in helping us promote this year’s Welsh Three Peaks event. We’re currently looking for people who want to take on the challenge of climbing Snowdon, Cadair Idris [...]
Kira Withers-Jones is a designer from Pontypridd. She also has a history of mental ill health. She’s written a blog post for ITV Wales on why she and two other Gofal media volunteers made a video message to send to the newly elected politicians at the National Assembly. Read the blog post here, and watch [...]
With politicians taking their seats at the National Assembly for Wales for the first time since the election, Gofal have emailed each AM a video message urging them to make mental health a top priority. The video features three individuals, who have experienced mental ill health themselves, talking about some of the difficulties that they [...]
Gofal are currently recruiting for a Head of Business Growth. We’re looking for someone with proven business development experience and commercial acumen, as well as a strong commitment to our values and core beliefs as a mental health and wellbeing charity. This is a new role for the organisation, and the successful applicant will be [...]
Feel superhuman* by taking part in the Welsh Three Peaks 24-hour Challenge – a true feat of endurance – to raise vital funds for mental health in Wales. You will start by conquering the highest peak in Wales: Mount Snowdon. You’ll then travel to Dolgellau to climb Cadair Idris before taking on the final challenge of Pen Y Fan in Brecon. [...]
Next week we’ll go to the polls, and have the chance to choose the politicians we want to represent us for the next five years at the National Assembly for Wales. Although we can’t predict the outcome, what is certain is that there’ll be lots of new faces in the Chamber at the start of [...]
The latest edition of our newsletter is out now. To find out what’s been going on at Gofal over the past few months, to hear about our plans for the future and to learn about how you can get involved and help support our work download the latest copy of our newsletter here and sign [...]
Gofal have a number of places available for the Cardiff Half Marathon on October 16th. One of those who’s signed up already, Peter Withers-Jones, explains his motivation for taking part: “Partly, of course, it’s the challenge. The discipline of getting into regular training and the sense of accomplishment I hope to get from completing [...]
Gofal is recruiting for the Cardiff Half Marathon on 16th October 2011. Walk, run or hop; wear shorts, tights or the back end of a pantomime horse! We don’t mind as long as you’re comfortable. Just don’t forget what you’re doing it for: all the money raised by our runners goes back to Gofal to help provide a [...]
In the run-up to the elections to the National Assembly for Wales we have produced a briefing for candidates, highlighting some of the key areas we would like to see action on in the next Assembly term. The three main areas are: Improving access to primary mental health services Improving access to housing-related support services [...]
Article published in Welsh Housing Quarterly – Issue 82 March 2011 Mental health charity Gofal has launched a second social enterprise, which aims to give voluntary and paid work opportunities to people who have experienced mental ill health. PS Services was born out of the ‘Our Business’ project which was set up in 2009 by [...]
Western Mail article published 21/03/11: WORK may make you happy, but new research raises questions about what types of jobs are good for your mental health. An Australian study finds that a badly-paid, poorly- supported or short-term job can be as harmful for a person’s mental health as no job at all. The findings could [...]
My name is Amy, and I’m one of Gofal’s media volunteers. Gofal’s Director, Ewan Hilton, has allowed me to write his regular column today. I recently completed training that prepared me for speaking about Gofal and issues relating to mental health. This column provides a welcome opportunity for me to voice what it is like [...]
PS Services is a social business, developed by mental health charity Gofal, which specialises in cleaning, maintenance and estates management. They are currently recruiting for a cleaning supervisor to join their team. For further details and to download the application pack please click here: PS Services Cleaning Supervisor Application Pack. All applications must be received by [...]
We’ve joined forces with 10 other health and social care organisations to give joint presentations at each of the four Welsh political party conferences. The message we’ll be giving to politicians and other conference delegates is simple: that in these difficult economic times, people’s health and social care needs cannot be ignored, but that there [...]
Gofal has a number of job and personal development opportunities available within its new Cardiff based social enterprise – PS Services. PS Services provides a cleaning and grounds maintenance service and is a division of Gofal’s trading arm, Gofal Enterprises Ltd (GEL). It aims to promote the mental wellbeing, confidence and self-esteem of those it [...]
Earlier this month, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) held a workshop for journalists. It was organised in light of their recent Not Just Another Statistic research into the experiences of some of the people most likely to encounter discrimination: Gypsy Travellers, asylum seekers and refugees, transgender people and ‘people with a mental health [...]
Gofal have teamed up with Cartrefi Cymru and Parc Prison in Bridgend to launch a new project which supports people on release from prison. This Prison Support and Resettlement project sees the three organisations working in partnership to reduce re-offending and to ensure that appropriate support is in place for people on release. The project [...]
Gofal still has a few places left for runners who’d like to take part in this year’s Brighton Marathon. Registration closes on 30th January, so if you’d like to take part in the event on behalf of Gofal, then please get in touch ASAP! We are looking for runners to raise a minimum of £600 [...]
Last month saw the publication of the long-awaited Audit Office report on housing services for people with mental health needs. For months it was one of Wales’ worst kept secrets that the report was going to be damning. And it was. Access to appropriate housing is a vital part of improving and maintaining mental health [...]
The latest edition of our newsletter is out now: Issue 2, December 2010 If you’d like to sign up to receive regular copies of our newsletter, please go to http://www.gofal.org.uk/sign-up On behalf of all of the team at Gofal we’d like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy 2011!
Mental health charity Gofal has welcomed the news that the Mental Health Measure has received Royal Approval and now formally becomes law in Wales. The Measure places duties on Health Boards and Local Authorities to provide a number of specific services for people experiencing mental ill health. It received Approval on the same day as [...]
Gofal have been working with the Wales Mental Health in Primary Care Network (WaMH in PC) to produce an information sheet for GPs on mental health and housing. There is a well established link between poor mental health and poor housing and homelessness, but many GPs lack knowledge of housing issues, or what they can do [...]
A course for people who experience mental ill health is soon to be running in the RCT and Merthyr Tydfil areas. Routes to Recovery is a 17-week programme that is being delivered by mental health charity Gofal alongside Cwm Taf health board and Coleg Morgannwg. Over the 17 weeks, participants of the course can expect [...]
Twelve Welsh charities campaigning against the proposed changes to Housing Benefit and Local Housing Allowance will be taking their fight to the Assembly this week. The organisations will be holding an event in the Senedd on Tuesday December 7th, 12.30-1.30, where they’ll be addressed by the Deputy Minister for Housing, Jocelyn Davies AM. Ewan Hilton, [...]
Gofal has been selected as one of the charities to benefit from Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Operation Santa appeal. Operation Santa aims to support over 650 underprivileged children in the Caerphilly area. These children are not helped by any other appeal and have been nominated by social workers who work with families across the county [...]
Commenting on the Wales Audit Office’s report on housing for people experiencing mental ill health, Ewan Hilton, Director of mental health charity Gofal, said: “It is unacceptable that so little progress has been made in improving the provision of these services. Access to suitable housing is key to people’s mental wellbeing and yet, as this [...]
Walking barefoot over hot, burning coals is not everyone’s idea of spending a Sunday night; but for some people it will be an exhilarating, mind-changing experience. Gofal has teamed up with the Village hotel, Swansea, to host a Firewalking event this Sunday night. Gofal’s latest fundraiser will see people ditching their socks and shoes to [...]
In advance of the publication of the Assembly Government’s draft budget, Gofal are joining with other Welsh charities to urge politicians to make the protection of vulnerable citizens their top priority. Organised by Cymorth Cymru, the representative body for providers of housing-related support services, the charities will be holding a vigil outside the Senedd on [...]
It’s happened. The results of the spending review have been announced by the Chancellor and the scale of the cuts is beginning to become clear. We are about to experience the most extensive programme of public sector spending cuts since the 1920s. In Wales we are still slightly in the dark as the Assembly does [...]
Gofal recently worked alongside ITV Wales Tonight to produce the 3-part documentary, Mind Matters. Featuring many Gofal service users and members of staff, the series took a look at mental health in Wales focusing on ‘searching for support’, ‘health and housing’ and ‘working well’. Gofal also provided mental health statistics that were used throughout the [...]
Six major Welsh charities have joined forces to condemn the Westminster government’s proposed cuts to housing benefit and local housing allowance. Shelter Cymru, Mind Cymru, Citizens’ Advice Cymru, Gofal, Community Housing Cymru and Cymorth, together with the Chartered Institute of Housing, the National Landlords Association and the Welsh Tenants Federation, say that the cuts will [...]
Stories of looming public sector spending cuts dominate the headlines at the moment. Ten percent, twelve percent, twenty-five percent…with the spending review due to be complete in October we are close to finding out about the size, shape and scale of what’s to come. In Wales, the Assembly Government are intending to announce their draft [...]
What is mental health? “Having mental health” certainly doesn’t mean you’re not well, despite the fact that many people use the phrase interchangeably with ‘mental illness’. Equally, mental health is not as simple as the absence of mental illness. The World Health Organisation defines health as “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being [...]
Mental health charity Gofal has unveiled a new look, a new website and a new mission and vision in the run up to World Mental Health Day (October 10th). The charity, which provides support to over 2,000 people a year, feels that this better reflects the values and aspirations for the organisation as it moves [...]
Gofal’s Bangor 2 the Bay cycling fundraiser has been hailed a big success by the charity. The 12 cyclists who took part raised a fantastic £3,500 (profit), which will now be used to support people who experience mental ill health. The event took place over 3 days with the cyclists riding 200 miles from Bangor [...]
