As a result of the Here for You pilot project, the mental health services available for free in Ceredigion has expanded. The pilot project, which received support from Cynnal y Cardi has provided an opportunity for any young person to access a talking therapy service quickly and confidentially within the county.
The Here for You project by the Ceredigion Youth Charity - Area 43, provided a free accessible online counselling service for young people aged between 16 and 30 in Ceredigion, with a focus on those who lived in remote rural areas or who could not attend a physical location to receive a counselling intervention.
A service user said: “I am so glad I found this service as I really needed counselling. I have been on the NHS waiting list for a year and a half."
As Covid-19 lockdown ceased the ability to provide counselling in a physical location, the Here for You service was recognised by the local primary care sector as an invaluable resource to support young people who were expressing low to mid-level mental health issues. GP’s were actively signposting young people to the service as a result of feedback they had received from other patients who had engaged with the project.
Rachel Eagles, CEO of Area 43, said: “The Here for You Service, funded by Cynnal Y Cardi has helped Area 43 to prove a model of delivery for support for young people. Due to the successful delivery of this project, Area 43 have been able to add this project to its suite of services helping young people address their mental health needs."
The positive impact, feedback and experience of the service users from the Here for You project has been a key factor in the direct commissioning, from both North and South Ceredigion Primary Care Clusters, for the mental health support service provided by Area 43.
Councillor Rhodri Evans, Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Economy and Regeneration, said:
“The innovative Here for You project has done imperative work in supporting mental health in young people in Ceredigion. Everyone involved with the Cynnal y Cardi LEADER scheme for Ceredigion are very pleased that we were able to support such an invaluable service that makes such a big difference in Ceredigion, and we are extremely glad that as a result of the project the services provided are able to continue through the direct commissioning received.”
The Cynnal y Cardi LEADER scheme for Ceredigion, which is administered by Ceredigion County Council, is supported through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.
For more information on the Area 43 Service visit www.area43.co.uk. To read the full report on the activities and success of this project, visit: www.cynnalycardi.org.uk/activities/theme-5-projects/here-for-you-area-43/