Briefing - Hafal

Hafal (meaning ‘equal’) is the principal organisation in Wales working with individuals recovering from severe mental illness and their families, providing help to over 500 people every day. Hafal’s main office is in Neath and there is a North Wales office in Holywell.

About Hafal

Hafal members currently number 440 and are represented on an all-Wales committee of Trustees comprising mainly users and carers. Staff currently number 75 and there are over 100 volunteers. Hafal has become an independent Charity taking over the activities of Rethink from 1 April 2003.

The 2002 Mental Health Strategy informs and guides Hafal in all aspects of its policy and operations. Hafal is supported by the Welsh Assembly Government, local statutory purchasers, and grant-making trusts. The key element of Hafal’s service to families is its “Dolen” Support Network.

There is a Network in each local authority area in Wales: these 22 local networks depend on local staff and volunteers to offer a flexible service to families and individuals through direct support and advice, support in a crisis, contact with others by phone, advocacy, support in a group setting, introductions for befriending, training, and providing a voice in the planning of mental illness services.

Hafal also provides a range of services aimed at users including:

  • Employment/training projects in:
    Rhondda, Bridgend, Bargoed, Merthyr, Aberdare, Cardiff, Caerphilly and Pontardawe; supported accommodation is provided in Haverfordwest, Wrexham and Aberystwyth;
  • Club activities are provided in:
     Swansea, Ammanford, Aberystwyth, Aberaeron, Tenby, Mold, and Porthmadog
  • A user-befriending service is provided in: Ceredigion; and
  • Locally-funded family support staff working as part of the “Dolen” network are located in: Bridgend, Cardiff, Torfaen, Swansea, Powys, Merthyr Tydfil, Vale of Glamorgan, Newport, Caerphilly, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd, Wrexham, and Ynys Môn.

Hafal has taken the lead in promoting client participation at all levels through its Partnership Compact which formalises client management of local services and engages clients in membership and governance: clients in every project meet routinely with staff to make formal management decisions and clients are well represented on Hafal’s all-Wales committee of Trustees.

As well as providing services Hafal campaigns vigorously through research, publications, and media work to improve services for families and to remove the stigma and isolation associated with severe mental illness. Hafal represents families on the Welsh Assembly Government’s Implementation Team which is advising on the Mental Health Strategy for Wales.