The new I CAN Community Hubs in Prestatyn, Rhyl and Llandudno will all open their doors for the first time over the coming weeks.
I CAN Hubs are community spaces which offer people a chance to talk through their problems, be listened to without judgement, and access the services and support they need.
They bring a range of organisations together under one roof to support people who are struggling with issues relating to mental health, drug or alcohol problems, relationship breakdowns, employment difficulties, bereavement, debt, housing and loneliness.
They are supported by a network of volunteers and staff from support agencies, who will work closely with GP Surgeries in the area to ensure that people receive the timely support they need.
The hubs, which can be accessed on a drop in basis, without a referral or appointment, are a joint project between Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Denbighshire County Council and Conwy County Borough Council.
Using funding from the Welsh Government’s A Healthier Wales Transformation Fund, the health board and local authorities are working with a range of charities and support agencies to establish I CAN Community Hubs across the region.
Lesley Singleton, Director of Partnerships at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “The I CAN Community Hubs enable us to work in a much more integrated way with our partner organisations to ensure that people have somewhere to turn where they will be given the time and space to talk through their problems, be listened to without judgement, and linked in to the support they need.
“We know it won’t happen overnight, but in time, we expect that more people will receive the early help they need at their local I CAN Community Hub, leading to reduced waiting times and improved outcomes for the smaller number of people who require the specialist support of our mental health services.”
Cllr Bobby Feeley, Denbighshire County Council’s lead member for Well-being and Independence, said: “The I CAN Community Hubs will provide residents with improved access to a range of professional advice and help them get the support they need.
“This is a great example of partnership working within our communities and by working together we can help create resilient communities and improve the lives of our residents.”
Cllr Louise Emery, Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Social Care at Conwy County Borough Council, said: “We’ll be working together to offer people with mental health concerns access to a variety of services, in a stable and supportive environment. We want to link people to others, to services and support without referral or an appointment – making sure people can get the care they need when they need it.”
Further I CAN Hubs are due to be opened across Gwynedd, Anglesey, Flintshire and Wrexham in the coming weeks.
- The I CAN Rhyl Community Hub at Clwyd Buildings, Clwyd Street, Rhyl, is open Friday – Monday between 11am – 6pm
- The I CAN Prestatyn Community Hub (opening soon) at Upper Church Hall, Prestatyn, will be open Monday – Friday
- The I CAN Conwy Community Hub, at 3 Trinity Square, Llandudno, is open Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays between 11am – 3pm