The Movin' On Up microbus is on its final leg through North Wales starting today at its one offshore destination - Anglesey. Just in case anybody doesn't already know about it a banner has been placed on the Menai Bridge which should do the trick.
The Welsh Government’s new Strategy "Together for Mental Health" was a key topic of conversation today. Our local Practice Leader Heather Russell-Hughes reports: "Here on Anglesey we, like the rest of Wales, are keen to get behind the Mental Health Service User and Carer Panel response to the Strategy. Consultation events ended in July; nearly 400 service users and carers supported the Panel’s views which was a great response. We are now waiting to see what the Welsh Government will come up with. Service users don’t simply want a revised Strategy, what they’re looking for is a delivery plan. Patients and families won’t be satisfied with anything less than a set of concrete targets for improvements to secondary mental health services which will hold NHS and local authority managers to account."
The campaign will culminate in a climb of Wales’ highest peak, Snowdon, in September. Heather says: "The climb has generated a lot of interest. It will be symbolic: we want to demonstrate how service users and carers in Wales can lead the way forward and take services to a new level by maximising the opportunities provided by the Mental Health Measure, the Carers Measure and the new Strategy.
"The climb also provides an excellent opportunity to take part in a physical activity - so important for mental health recovery - and have some fun along the way!"
Indeed, and I'm looking forward to my second climb up there this year. Quite a privilege. Or am I a glutton for punishment? Of course not!
Postscript:
Somebody I've never heard of but described as "ex-Corrie star Helen Flanagan" is being taken to task in the social media for calling Swansea "boring". Apparently she had to move here because her footballer boyfriend Scott Sinclair plays for the Swans but there is a suspicion that she wants him to move to Manchester.
I don't believe in getting cross with people for Welsh-bashing - all that outcry about Anne Robinson's jokes was just embarrassing and I recollect the Western Mail published a letter from me suggesting people chill a little about it - so don't let's criticise young Helen but rather let us share with her the sybaritic delights of Wind Street, the smart Maritime Quarter, and the National Waterfront Museum (well, no, not the Waterfront Museum which is boring) and, er, any other ideas?
Swansea is an acquired taste and I suspect Helen won't be around long enough to acquire it. No doubt our loss as I am sure she is charming.
