I'm looking forward to Hafal's "All Aboard!" Autumn Rally in Builth Wells this Thursday which is set to break all records with a massive attendance. Hafal Events Coordinator Emma Billings tells me:
"Two hundred delegates have already booked to attend the Rally and the aim is both to offer an opportunity to network and also to explore the challenges faced by people recovering from serious mental illness. This will be a lively event, with different areas for those attending to visit and enjoy throughout the day."
Highlights include:
• "Taking the Wheel" - celebrating the success of the 2011 campaign run by service users with support from Hafal, the Mental Health Foundation and MDF the Bipolar Organisation Cymru.
• The Exhibition Station - an interactive exhibition showcasing Hafal's work across the 22 counties of Wales.
• The Learning Centre - opportunities to meet our team of Expert Patient Trainers, talk to colleagues from Wales' new National Centre for Mental Health and Bipolar Disorder Research Network, get advice and guidance about IT, learning, employment, housing issues and criminal justice, and pick up a range of new publications, FREE of charge.
• Art Corner - getting creative and helping us give our giant model VW camper a paint job!
Emma adds:
"We will also hold our annual meeting specifically for users, as well as an important meeting of the All-Wales Mental Health Carers' Forum - which offers visitors a special opportunity to network with families from across Wales."
As usual I have been unnecessarily poking my nose into the preparations but must resolve to back off and leave it to Emma and her many assistants.
