The “Movin’ On Up” campaign attracted a huge amount of interest from young people at the Royal Welsh Show today.
The campaign’s classic VW microbus, cinema bus and mobile mountain were a big hit with young people who were also drawn to the campaign stand’s internet facility where they could access mental health-related websites including Hafal’s Young People’s Information Hub and Facebook site.
Hafal’s Young People’s Information Officer John Gilheaney said: “Young people were particularly drawn by the fun aspect of the campaign. However, they also showed a great deal of interest in the campaign’s goals and were keen to offer constructive feedback on the work of Hafal’s Young People’s Information Hub. A lot of young people were delighted to hear that Wales has excellent mental health legislation and were keen to take away the literature on display. The level of interest was refreshing given the vigorous campaigning that went on to ensure the Mental Health (Wales) Measure catered for all ages, not solely for those aged 18 and over.”
The aim of the campaign is to maximise the opportunities for recovery from serious mental illness which are provided by the draft Welsh Government Mental Health Strategy, “Together for Mental Health”, and the historic Mental Health (Wales) Measure. The Measure is hugely significant because it affords service users key new rights and has finally given users of secondary mental health services in Wales the legal right to a comprehensive holistic Care and Treatment Plan covering areas such as: accommodation; finance and money; and education and training.
The “Movin’ On Up” campaign is run by service users and carers and supported by mental health charities Hafal, Bipolar UK and the Mental Health Foundation. 22 weekly county events are taking place and the campaign will culminate in a climb of Wales’ highest peak, Snowdon, in September. The campaign will also feature an interactive stand at the Royal Welsh Show and, on World Mental Health Day, at the National Assembly.
For more pictures from the event please go to Hafal’s Facebook page.
To visit Hafal’s Young People’s Information Hub please click here.
For more information on the campaign please visit: www.hafal.org