Hafal

Suite C2, William Knox House
Britannic Way
Llandarcy
Neath
SA10 6EL

Tel: 01792 816 600
Web: www.hafal.org

Hafal (meaning 'equal') is the principal organisation in Wales working with individuals recovering from severe mental illness and their families. They are managed by the people they support - individuals with severe mental illness and their families. Every day their staff and volunteers provide help to several hundred people affected by severe mental illness: this includes schizophrenia, manic depression and other diagnoses which typically involve psychosis or high levels of care, and which may require hospital treatment.

What's their mission?

Hafal is founded on the belief that people who have direct experience of mental illness know best how services can be delivered. Providing support across all 22 local health board areas of Wales, Hafal is dedicated to empowering people with severe mental illness and their families to:

• Achieve a better quality of life.
• Fulfil their ambitions for recovery.
• Fight discrimination.
• Enjoy equal access to health and social care, housing, income, education, and employment.

What they do?

Hafal delivers a range of services to people with severe mental health illness including direct support and advice, support in a crisis, contact with others by phone, advocacy, support in a group setting, introductions for befriending, and employment and training projects. They also give clients a much-needed voice in the planning of mental health services.

Underpinning their services to clients, families and members is their own Recovery Programme. This Programme is based on modern principles of self-management and empowerment. It encourages clients and families to work towards recovery with the help of Hafal's staff and other supporters by taking a more methodical approach to improving all areas of life.

As well as providing services Hafal campaigns through research, publications and media work to improve services for clients and families and to remove stigma and isolation associated with severe mental illness. Hafal is also represented on the Welsh Assembly Government's Implementation Group which advises on implementation of the Mental Health Strategy for Wales.