Visit Leads to Tea and Big Slices of Cake!

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 15th Oct 2009

During the national "Life Begins at Home Week", a local Assembly Member helped Torfaen MIND celebrate 10 years of its residential supported housing services throughout Wales.

Michael German, who represents Torfaen in the National Assembly for Wales, visited a support house where residents receive round the clock support that is tailored to the individual to help people back to a full recovery after a period of trauma or distress. MIND currently is the largest provider in the borough of counselling services, support and residential care and currently is helping around 500 people in the area.

Residents at the supported house enjoyed cups of tea and big slices of a special 10th anniversary cake.

Mr. German said, "Torfaen MIND is providing a wide range of support and treatment facilities that really helps people get back to full health and reclaim their lives after a period of illness."

The Assembly Member was particularly impressed with the all round care and support available for people, saying that the approach used was an example of best practice: "The approach is an holistic one: not just treating mental illness, but providing a programme for general health and wellbeing."

Bernie Davies, Director of MIND Torfaen said: "Over the past 10 years we have been able to support approximately 45 individuals who have developed daily living skills and been supported to manage their mental health to enable more independent living. This is thanks to the dedication of the support staff and the strong partnership in funding between WAG, Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board and the local authority."

Mr. German added, "People at the house told me that they find the place warm, friendly and supportive. One resident told me that the support helped her to become independent again.

"One resident told me that previously they couldn't even manage to go out of the house but they she is able to walk about every day. Another told me that he had got their 'freedom back'. This just sums it up for me. Mental distress and illness is an area of medical treatment that is undervalued and still to some extent 'taboo'.

"MIND are breaking down barriers for people to enjoy a full recovery and helping to demolish the wall of misunderstanding and ignorance of mental health issues brick by brick."