This instalment focuses on Steering and Advisory Board 2, which met on 5th August and focuses on the work of the Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Programme the Wellbeing and Learning Disability Programme.
Highlights from the discussions held are as follows:
Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health
Highlights from the discussions held are as follows:
Dr Zoe Fisher of Swansea University delivered a presentation to update Board members on the progress of the Emotional and Mental Well-being Strategy. The Strategy emphasises prevention, early intervention, and accessible community-based mental health support across all ages.
Recent developments, such as the new Welsh Government Mental Health Strategy and a local independent review, have shaped the approach, calling for closer alignment and integration between programmes.
Four key strategic themes have been identified:
- Joining up commissioning: This involves creating a joined-up system through a new commissioning framework. This workstream is currently paused and will refocus efforts on mapping current offers and improving access.
- Cementing together existing services: This theme focuses on strengthening existing services, improving access, and developing multi-agency pathways like ‘No Wrong Door’ for children and young people. Includes the launch of the SortedSupported website for adults and tidyMinds for children and young people.
- Filling the gaps: This theme includes piloting a community psychology model to address unmet needs before crises occur, with a focus on early years and disadvantaged groups.
- Understanding need: This involves enhancing data collection and analysis at a granular level, in partnership with Swansea University to target resources and track trends over time.
The next steps include a collaborative mapping exercise of regional services and continued alignment with national strategies.
Well-being and Learning Disability
The West Glamorgan Well-being and Learning Disability Programme is delivering against a series of priorities outlined in the Regional Learning Disability Strategy 2024-2029.
Key developments in recent months include:
- A video promoting the Gig Buddies project (funded via the Welsh Government’s Regional Integration Fund) has been created by the partnership’s Communications and Engagement team. Click on the following link to view: https://vimeo.com/1098239671/1f86f1ad4d. Gig Buddies are continuing to recruit volunteers and welcome applications – email gigbuddies@ldw.org.uk for details.
- Engagement with transport providers across our region has been undertaken to increase awareness of transport barriers and ensure the voices of people with learning disabilities are heard (more information is available on the West Glamorgan website – www.westglamorgan.org.uk/programmes/well-being-and-learning-disability-programme/transport/). Key milestones are expected to be achieved by September 2025, and lessons learnt exercises are in progress.
- A task group led by a person with a learning disability is working to create an Easy Read Charter. Its aim is to make information more accessible, promoting inclusion, independence, and informed choices.
- A regional ‘Learning Disability Virtual Network’ is being developed to ensure the voices of those with lived experience are included in strategy implementation, with ongoing engagement activities and support for volunteer board members with a learning disability.
Thanks for reading! We’ll be back with further updates after September’s SAB meeting ☺️