Ahead of the Cardiff Volunteer Awards 2023, we wanted to highlight last year’s winners in the Volunteer Group of the Year category – CREW volunteers from Ty Canna Mental Health Outreach Services.
The volunteers have lived experience of mental health and are now providing support to service users who have been referred to the service. The volunteers run activity groups, co-facilitate mental health workshops, run walking groups, contribute to and edit newsletters for the service and carry out administration tasks. Volunteers also provide 1-to-1 support such as assisting with attending appointments, developing friendships and social relationships with other service users and increasing independent skills such as using public transport.
Over the last year Cardiff Volunteer Centre @C3SC attended events organised by Ty Canna, including a celebration event at Llanover Hall where the CREW volunteers were recognised for their individual achievements. Councillor Norma Mackie was in attendance of the event which allowed volunteers unable to make the Cardiff Volunteer Awards the chance to celebrate Ty Canna’s recognition as the Volunteer Group of the Year 2022.
Another memorable day that we shared with Ty Canna was the premiere of short animation films, including ‘My Mental Elf’ created by the Ty Canna animation group. The films explore the reality of living with mental health problems and aims to raise awareness. On the same day that marked the beginning of the Mental Health Awareness Week, we took part in the unveiling of a new garden mural in the Ty Canna garden.
This year, we are pleased to confirm that Ty Canna have nominated a group of volunteers to the Cardiff Volunteer Awards – Brawd whose aim is to create an environment in which men can openly talk without judgement, to share their feelings, thoughts and experiences with other men who understand what they are going through.
The idea of the group was created during the pandemic, when it was apparent that there are barriers that men face when it comes to accessing support. Brawd facilitates two meet-up sessions per-week where men come together in a safe, warm, and welcoming environment for a cuppa and a chat. Other regular activities include a relaxed walk and talk group, and a music group. These and other activities for men are facilitated by volunteers.
We look forward to meeting the volunteers of Brawd and other groups and individuals nominated to this year’s Cardiff Volunteer Awards taking place on this Wednesday, 15th November 2023 at The Dragon Suite, Angel Hotel, Castle Street, CF10 1SZ. Stay tuned!
