Today was the BIG ONE:over 200 service users, carers and health professionals from across South Walesgot physical at Hafal’s annual Physical Health Day in Swansea University Sports Centre. This yearthe event formed a part of the summer-long, service user and carer-led Let’sGet Physical! campaign which is supported by Hafal, Bipolar UK, the MentalHealth Foundation and Diverse Cymru.
Swansea City ClubAmbassador Lee Trundle and Assembly Member Bethan Jenkins presentedprizes at the event and a host of exhibitors provided advice andinformation on getting healthy.
Richard Timm, a service user atHafal Swansea, said: “It’s been an absolutely fantastic day, loads of funand a great opportunity to take part in sports and activities. There’s been something for everyone.
“It’sa great idea to have this day because it gets people into sports who may neverhave thought of taking part in physical activities.”
Hafal Chief Executive Bill Walden-Jonessaid: “The day has extra significance this year as we are running anational physical health campaign, Let’s Get Physical!, which sets a challenge- both to service users and carers, and to service providers and policy makers- to radically improve the physical health of people with a mental illness andtheir carers.
“The Physical Health Day is one ofthe highlights of the summer-long campaign because it provides opportunities totry different activities and get advice about living a healthier life.”
Activities at today’s event included track and fieldsports, nordic walking, yoga, five-a-side football and tug-of-war. Exhibitorsincluded BikeAbility Wales, Stop Smoking Wales, Public Health Wales, theNational Centre for Mental Health, Diverse Cymru, the Mental Health Foundationand Bipolar UK.