Latest news with #NatashaHirst
Business News Wales
17-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
New Head of Wales Appointed at FSB
The Learning and Work Institute Wales Inspire Awards at Cardiff City Hall. 14th September 2023. Credit: Natasha Hirst Wales' largest business representative body, FSB (Federation of Small Businesses), has appointed Joshua Miles as their new Head of Wales. Josh's appointment follows the upcoming departure of current Head of Wales Ben Cottam. Josh will start his new role in October. Josh joins FSB from his current role as Director of the Learning & Work Institute in Wales, a leading organisation promoting lifelong learning and employment. Prior to that, Josh was the Director of the Confederation of Passenger Transport and earlier in his career, Josh had also held policy roles at FSB and CITB (Construction Industry Training Board). Working alongside FSB's volunteer members, Josh will lead FSB's professional team in Wales supporting the needs of thousands of businesses across the country, growing networks and championing their interests to decision making at all levels of Welsh politics and public life. John Hurst, FSB Wales Chair, said: 'I am delighted that Josh will be joining FSB to lead the Wales team at what is a vital time for Welsh businesses. With an economy still facing significant challenge and an election approaching in May 2026, our smaller businesses will need a strong voice and passionate advocates. Josh's experience of policy, the economy, smaller businesses and of the landscape of decision making in Wales and more widely across the UK, will be a huge asset to our efforts to lead the conversation for businesses in Wales. We are excited to welcome Josh to the team later this year.' Josh added: 'Our smaller businesses are the very best of the Welsh economy and I'm excited to have the chance to take up the role of Head of Wales at FSB to help tell the story of small businesses and all the potential there is in our SMEs for growing our economy and communities. I'm looking forward to working alongside our volunteers, and what I know is a great professional team across Wales and the UK to grow FSB's voice, relationships and impact.'
Wales Online
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Flagship Welsh law too 'vague' and lacks any real teeth, MSs told
Flagship Welsh law too 'vague' and lacks any real teeth, MSs told The Future Generations Act is often talked about one of Wales' leading laws Derek Walker is Wales' future generations commissioner (Image: Natasha Hirst ) A Welsh law designed to ensure future generations in Wales have at least the same quality of life as today lacks teeth and is too vague, a Senedd committee has been told. The Senedd's equality committee was looking at the decade since the Welsh Parliament passing the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act in 2015. The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act is about improving the social, economic, environmental, and cultural wellbeing of Wales. The act gives a legally-binding common purpose – called seven wellbeing goals – for national government, local government, local health boards, and other specified public bodies to follow. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . However Labour MS Mick Antoniw told the committee it lacks impetus and risks being a "bureaucratic tick-box exercise". The former chief law officer for the Welsh Government was involved in early stages of scrutiny of the then-bill. He said: "It started off… as a sustainability bill until no-one could actually define what they meant by sustainability… came up with the term future generations and… that might be seen to be equally nebulous.' Article continues below As well as describing the act as vague the former minister suggested Wales' future generations commissioner has few – if any – powers to hold public bodies to account. "I always thought that was a mistake right from the beginning, [you] don't give it proper teeth to actually have the impact that shifts decision-making," he said. Professor Calvin Jones, an environmental economist, said the commissioner and his predecessor had told him their only "big stick" is to "name and shame" which they are reluctant to do. "As soon as you get the stick out people take their eyes off the carrot," he said. "There's this constant tension between wanting to chivvy the laggards along but realising once you get a reputation as somebody who's an auditor effectively then games start being played and boxes start being ticked. "That tension has always stymied the way in which the commissioners have been prepared to name and shame which was, I think, the only serious bit of teeth in the act." Prof Jones warned of a major lack of funding for the commissioner's office, describing the money allocated by the Welsh Government as akin to using a sticking plaster on the Titanic. "Let's remember we are trying to guide a £30bn public sector with a body which is funded to the tune of £1.6m per annum,' he told the committee. 'Now that is absolutely laughable." He said Audit Wales should have more of a role in holding public bodies to account in a similar way to their bookkeeping duties. The academic called for a legal duty to ensure at least a 0.1% 'haircut' for every public body captured by the act, generating a total of about £30m a year. 'Without that any future government that wants to hobble the office will just not give it money,' he said. Eleanor MacKillop, a research associate at the Wales Centre for Public Policy, raised concerns about institutional complexity, with corporate joint committees, public services boards, regional partnership boards, corporate safeguarding boards, and councils in Wales. Giving evidence on June 23 Prof Jones warned of a culture of "box-ticking and backside-covering" hampering innovation and transformation in the Welsh public sector. He said: "We have consensus politics in Wales: it's a consensus of 19 rabbits and a polar bear – the polar bear says what happens and all the rabbits say: 'Yes sir, yes ma'am'." He questioned the ambition of some public bodies' wellbeing plans, saying ministers similarly fail to set themselves stretching milestones and timescales they can be held to. Prof Jones reflected on then-First Minister Mark Drakeford's decision to scrap plans for an M4 relief road, pointing out that the decision letter did not refer to the act as a reason. He told the committee: "He said it's because it's too expensive and we have a different view of the environmental costs and a part of me thought: is that deliberate because if he places this 'no' on the basis of the act it's going to be open to judicial review?" But, on the other hand, Prof Jones said it would be difficult to imagine the Drakeford-led government pushing ahead with policies such as the default 20mph without the act. In written evidence Derek Walker, who succeeded Sophie Howe as commissioner in 2023, said the act contains no specific enforcement mechanisms – making judicial review the only option. Article continues below He wrote: "This is a difficult and costly procedure. It might mean only a class of people rather than individuals can use it. I understand that none of the very few attempts to use the act in judicial review have obtained permission from the court to proceed."
Pembrokeshire Herald
03-05-2025
- Health
- Pembrokeshire Herald
New hope for pregnant women with diabetes in west Wales
Protests at the Senedd as campaigners accuse Welsh Government of failing autistic and learning-disabled people A MAJOR new mental health strategy promising same-day support in Wales has been overshadowed by rising anger from families who say vulnerable people are still being detained in hospitals simply because of their disabilities or autism. Police at the A&E department at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth in early April 2025: The vehicles contain patients having a mental heath crisis , and awaiting help. One patient was detained for 19 hours in a police van. (Image: Herald) The Welsh Government says its ten-year plan will transform mental health support by focusing on early help, social prescribing, and same-day access via GPs and community services. The NHS's urgent 111 helpline—where callers can 'press 2' for mental health support—is now receiving nearly 6,000 calls a month. Protest outside the Senedd last year (Pic: Natasha Hirst) But critics say that behind the numbers lies a more troubling story—one of systemic failure for people with learning disabilities and autism. On Wednesday, April 17, protesters from the Stolen Lives campaign gathered outside the Senedd in Cardiff Bay to accuse ministers of inaction. The campaign was founded by Dr. Dawn Cavanagh, from Hook, Pembrokeshire, whose own son is detained in a secure mental health hospital. 'We are talking about people being imprisoned without committing any crime,' said Dr. Cavanagh. 'Their only crime is being disabled. It has traumatised us as a family.' People needing mental health support are often criminalised, and reform in needed, campaigners say (Pic: Herald/File) The protest brought together families, carers, disability rights groups and allies. Holding placards and banners, they demanded urgent reform and meaningful investment in community care to prevent people being 'shut away' in hospitals for years at a time. Many of those detained are sent far from their families, often to private facilities in England, due to a lack of appropriate housing and support in Wales. 'We've had endless promises, meetings, reports—but nothing changes,' said one protester. 'We are tired of being told our case is unique. We're not. This is a national scandal.' Sophie Hinksman, 39, from Pembrokeshire, was sectioned in 2016 and says she still lives with the trauma. 'If I'd got the right support at home, everything would have been okay,' she said. 'Instead I was taken away and left to deteriorate. I'm still trying to come back from that.' The UK Government's new Mental Health Bill—adopted in part by the Welsh Government—claims it will limit the ability to detain autistic and learning-disabled people under the Mental Health Act unless they have a co-occurring mental illness. But campaigners say this won't stop detentions unless proper alternatives are funded. 'If community care isn't there, they'll still be detained—just under different legislation like the Mental Capacity Act,' said Dr. Cavanagh. Data published by the Welsh Government shows 135 people with a learning disability are currently in specialist inpatient services in Wales. In England, over 2,000 people with learning disabilities or autism are detained, and around half have been held for more than two years. Campaigners say many of those individuals were initially admitted due to crises brought on by poor housing, isolation, or lack of support staff. Once inside, people deteriorate further, delaying discharge indefinitely. A protest took place in Westminster on Tuesday (Image: BBC) 'Hospitals are not homes' Joe Powell, Chief Executive of All Wales People First, told the crowd at the Senedd: 'Wales led the way 41 years ago with the All Wales Strategy. It said hospitals are not homes and people should live in the community. Now we are going backwards.' Despite claims of progress, families say that local Health Boards and councils face little accountability when placements fail. The Welsh Government insists it is committed to reducing inpatient numbers and improving care. A spokesperson said: 'We do not agree that people with learning disabilities are being systematically detained inappropriately. Where hospital care is used, a care plan must be in place and reviewed regularly.' But campaigners are not reassured. 'It's like the Post Office scandal,' said one mother at the protest. 'They told each family their situation was unique—but the problem was the system all along.' There is hope — but no time to waste Elsewhere in Wales, community-based support is making a difference—when it's available. Sian McEvoy, 41, from Swansea, began volunteering at a local community farm after a long period of alcohol dependency and anxiety. 'When I was drinking, I didn't leave the house for three years,' she said. 'Now I'm out in the community, working with animals. It's helped my mental health and given me the confidence to think about getting back into work.' Steffan Thomas, 24, who is autistic, has volunteered at the same farm for four years. 'If I miss a week, I feel it,' he said. 'This place keeps me grounded.' Health experts say these are the kinds of solutions that need long-term investment—not short-term pilots. Professor Kamila Hawthorne, a Bevan Commission member, said: 'Social prescribing and early intervention can prevent crisis—but only if the infrastructure is there. Without it, the NHS will be overwhelmed, and vulnerable people will fall through the cracks.' As protesters packed up their banners outside the Senedd, Dr. Cavanagh said: 'We don't want more empty promises. We want people to come home.' Responding to the Welsh Government's plan, Welsh NHS Confederation Nesta Lloyd-Jones said: 'We welcome the shift in approach set out in the new Welsh Government's 10 year mental health and wellbeing strategy, which is centred on early intervention, prevention and person-centred care. 'As the strategy acknowledges, the building blocks of mental wellbeing start long before healthcare intervention – whether that's education, housing, employment, access to green spaces and leisure, the arts and so on. Building more resilient communities, addressing health inequalities and tackling loneliness are essential to this too. The Welsh Government's promise to prioritise action on mental health across all Welsh Government departments is a positive start on the journey to a cross-government approach to mental health, including the deployment of Health Impact Assessments. 'However, in these continuously financially challenging times, these sectors and services are among the first to be cut. We must think long-term and invest in these areas to make things better for individuals, healthcare services and the public purse. 'We know timely access to services play an important role in patient outcomes. NHS leaders support the concept of the no wrong door approach and the introduction of 111 press 2 is a good example of simplifying access for those reaching out for help. 'We know that societal inequalities put some groups at greater risk, underscoring the importance of providing these individuals with better resources and tackling barriers to accessing care. However, with rising demand for mental health services and the growing impact of climate change on mental wellbeing, a greater emphasis on primary, secondary and tertiary prevention is needed. 'Now this strategy has been published, the Welsh Government must ensure the resource and support is in place for sectors and organisations to deliver on the vision statements.' Jemma Wray, Head of Wales at the Mental Health Foundation said: 'We strongly welcome and support the new 10 year mental health strategy for Wales, and its vision to transform how the people of Wales are enabled and supported to live mentally healthy lives. The strategy is grounded in an understanding that poor mental health can be prevented through ensuring that the building blocks of good mental health are in place, and that there is a system of connected community support available which enables people to connect with what they need, when they need it. The delivery of this plan at a community level, ensuring the right infrastructure exists to support its implementation, will be vital in its success. It's equally important that the Welsh Government continues to work alongside people with lived experience and that their improved outcomes are the measure of its impact. We're pleased to have been able to contribute to the development of this strategy during the consultation period, and look forward to supporting its implementation in collaboration with Welsh Government, NHS Executive, Public Health Wales, and the Wales Alliance for Mental Health among others to help improve the outcomes for those who are most at risk of developing poor mental health in Wales.' Welsh Government says 'a major shift' is under way The Welsh Government insists its new 10-year strategy marks a turning point for mental health care in Wales. Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Sarah Murphy said: 'This strategy represents a major shift in how we approach mental health and wellbeing. We are focusing on prevention, early intervention, and ensuring easy access to support when needed.' The new strategy aims to expand open access and same-day support, building on the 111 'press 2' helpline and introducing a stepped care model, where people only move into more intensive treatment when truly necessary. It also promotes person-centred care and social prescribing, such as linking people with community groups and activities instead of relying solely on clinical interventions. 'We're working to address all the factors that affect wellbeing – from housing and employment to tackling loneliness,' Murphy added. Initiatives already supported under the scheme include Walking Friends Wales, which helps older people reduce loneliness through group walks and social connection. Campaigners, however, say that while the vision is welcome, the success of the strategy depends entirely on whether these services are funded and delivered at scale, and whether urgent cases of inappropriate detention are properly addressed. As Dr. Cavanagh said at the Senedd protest: 'We don't want more empty promises. We want people to come home.'
Pembrokeshire Herald
02-05-2025
- Health
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Call for legal minimum NHS dentist staffing levels
Protests at the Senedd as campaigners accuse Welsh Government of failing autistic and learning-disabled people A MAJOR new mental health strategy promising same-day support in Wales has been overshadowed by rising anger from families who say vulnerable people are still being detained in hospitals simply because of their disabilities or autism. Police at the A&E department at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth in early April 2025: The vehicles contain patients having a mental heath crisis , and awaiting help. One patient was detained for 19 hours in a police van. (Image: Herald) The Welsh Government says its ten-year plan will transform mental health support by focusing on early help, social prescribing, and same-day access via GPs and community services. The NHS's urgent 111 helpline—where callers can 'press 2' for mental health support—is now receiving nearly 6,000 calls a month. Protest outside the Senedd last year (Pic: Natasha Hirst) But critics say that behind the numbers lies a more troubling story—one of systemic failure for people with learning disabilities and autism. On Wednesday, April 17, protesters from the Stolen Lives campaign gathered outside the Senedd in Cardiff Bay to accuse ministers of inaction. The campaign was founded by Dr. Dawn Cavanagh, from Hook, Pembrokeshire, whose own son is detained in a secure mental health hospital. 'We are talking about people being imprisoned without committing any crime,' said Dr. Cavanagh. 'Their only crime is being disabled. It has traumatised us as a family.' People needing mental health support are often criminalised, and reform in needed, campaigners say (Pic: Herald/File) The protest brought together families, carers, disability rights groups and allies. Holding placards and banners, they demanded urgent reform and meaningful investment in community care to prevent people being 'shut away' in hospitals for years at a time. Many of those detained are sent far from their families, often to private facilities in England, due to a lack of appropriate housing and support in Wales. 'We've had endless promises, meetings, reports—but nothing changes,' said one protester. 'We are tired of being told our case is unique. We're not. This is a national scandal.' Sophie Hinksman, 39, from Pembrokeshire, was sectioned in 2016 and says she still lives with the trauma. 'If I'd got the right support at home, everything would have been okay,' she said. 'Instead I was taken away and left to deteriorate. I'm still trying to come back from that.' The UK Government's new Mental Health Bill—adopted in part by the Welsh Government—claims it will limit the ability to detain autistic and learning-disabled people under the Mental Health Act unless they have a co-occurring mental illness. But campaigners say this won't stop detentions unless proper alternatives are funded. 'If community care isn't there, they'll still be detained—just under different legislation like the Mental Capacity Act,' said Dr. Cavanagh. Data published by the Welsh Government shows 135 people with a learning disability are currently in specialist inpatient services in Wales. In England, over 2,000 people with learning disabilities or autism are detained, and around half have been held for more than two years. Campaigners say many of those individuals were initially admitted due to crises brought on by poor housing, isolation, or lack of support staff. Once inside, people deteriorate further, delaying discharge indefinitely. A protest took place in Westminster on Tuesday (Image: BBC) 'Hospitals are not homes' Joe Powell, Chief Executive of All Wales People First, told the crowd at the Senedd: 'Wales led the way 41 years ago with the All Wales Strategy. It said hospitals are not homes and people should live in the community. Now we are going backwards.' Despite claims of progress, families say that local Health Boards and councils face little accountability when placements fail. The Welsh Government insists it is committed to reducing inpatient numbers and improving care. A spokesperson said: 'We do not agree that people with learning disabilities are being systematically detained inappropriately. Where hospital care is used, a care plan must be in place and reviewed regularly.' But campaigners are not reassured. 'It's like the Post Office scandal,' said one mother at the protest. 'They told each family their situation was unique—but the problem was the system all along.' There is hope — but no time to waste Elsewhere in Wales, community-based support is making a difference—when it's available. Sian McEvoy, 41, from Swansea, began volunteering at a local community farm after a long period of alcohol dependency and anxiety. 'When I was drinking, I didn't leave the house for three years,' she said. 'Now I'm out in the community, working with animals. It's helped my mental health and given me the confidence to think about getting back into work.' Steffan Thomas, 24, who is autistic, has volunteered at the same farm for four years. 'If I miss a week, I feel it,' he said. 'This place keeps me grounded.' Health experts say these are the kinds of solutions that need long-term investment—not short-term pilots. Professor Kamila Hawthorne, a Bevan Commission member, said: 'Social prescribing and early intervention can prevent crisis—but only if the infrastructure is there. Without it, the NHS will be overwhelmed, and vulnerable people will fall through the cracks.' As protesters packed up their banners outside the Senedd, Dr. Cavanagh said: 'We don't want more empty promises. We want people to come home.' Responding to the Welsh Government's plan, Welsh NHS Confederation Nesta Lloyd-Jones said: 'We welcome the shift in approach set out in the new Welsh Government's 10 year mental health and wellbeing strategy, which is centred on early intervention, prevention and person-centred care. 'As the strategy acknowledges, the building blocks of mental wellbeing start long before healthcare intervention – whether that's education, housing, employment, access to green spaces and leisure, the arts and so on. Building more resilient communities, addressing health inequalities and tackling loneliness are essential to this too. The Welsh Government's promise to prioritise action on mental health across all Welsh Government departments is a positive start on the journey to a cross-government approach to mental health, including the deployment of Health Impact Assessments. 'However, in these continuously financially challenging times, these sectors and services are among the first to be cut. We must think long-term and invest in these areas to make things better for individuals, healthcare services and the public purse. 'We know timely access to services play an important role in patient outcomes. NHS leaders support the concept of the no wrong door approach and the introduction of 111 press 2 is a good example of simplifying access for those reaching out for help. 'We know that societal inequalities put some groups at greater risk, underscoring the importance of providing these individuals with better resources and tackling barriers to accessing care. However, with rising demand for mental health services and the growing impact of climate change on mental wellbeing, a greater emphasis on primary, secondary and tertiary prevention is needed. 'Now this strategy has been published, the Welsh Government must ensure the resource and support is in place for sectors and organisations to deliver on the vision statements.' Jemma Wray, Head of Wales at the Mental Health Foundation said: 'We strongly welcome and support the new 10 year mental health strategy for Wales, and its vision to transform how the people of Wales are enabled and supported to live mentally healthy lives. The strategy is grounded in an understanding that poor mental health can be prevented through ensuring that the building blocks of good mental health are in place, and that there is a system of connected community support available which enables people to connect with what they need, when they need it. The delivery of this plan at a community level, ensuring the right infrastructure exists to support its implementation, will be vital in its success. It's equally important that the Welsh Government continues to work alongside people with lived experience and that their improved outcomes are the measure of its impact. We're pleased to have been able to contribute to the development of this strategy during the consultation period, and look forward to supporting its implementation in collaboration with Welsh Government, NHS Executive, Public Health Wales, and the Wales Alliance for Mental Health among others to help improve the outcomes for those who are most at risk of developing poor mental health in Wales.' Welsh Government says 'a major shift' is under way The Welsh Government insists its new 10-year strategy marks a turning point for mental health care in Wales. Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Sarah Murphy said: 'This strategy represents a major shift in how we approach mental health and wellbeing. We are focusing on prevention, early intervention, and ensuring easy access to support when needed.' The new strategy aims to expand open access and same-day support, building on the 111 'press 2' helpline and introducing a stepped care model, where people only move into more intensive treatment when truly necessary. It also promotes person-centred care and social prescribing, such as linking people with community groups and activities instead of relying solely on clinical interventions. 'We're working to address all the factors that affect wellbeing – from housing and employment to tackling loneliness,' Murphy added. Initiatives already supported under the scheme include Walking Friends Wales, which helps older people reduce loneliness through group walks and social connection. Campaigners, however, say that while the vision is welcome, the success of the strategy depends entirely on whether these services are funded and delivered at scale, and whether urgent cases of inappropriate detention are properly addressed. As Dr. Cavanagh said at the Senedd protest: 'We don't want more empty promises. We want people to come home.'
Pembrokeshire Herald
02-05-2025
- Health
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Welsh Government considers abandoning ‘ill-advised' cancer target
Protests at the Senedd as campaigners accuse Welsh Government of failing autistic and learning-disabled people A MAJOR new mental health strategy promising same-day support in Wales has been overshadowed by rising anger from families who say vulnerable people are still being detained in hospitals simply because of their disabilities or autism. Police at the A&E department at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth in early April 2025: The vehicles contain patients having a mental heath crisis , and awaiting help. One patient was detained for 19 hours in a police van. (Image: Herald) The Welsh Government says its ten-year plan will transform mental health support by focusing on early help, social prescribing, and same-day access via GPs and community services. The NHS's urgent 111 helpline—where callers can 'press 2' for mental health support—is now receiving nearly 6,000 calls a month. Protest outside the Senedd last year (Pic: Natasha Hirst) But critics say that behind the numbers lies a more troubling story—one of systemic failure for people with learning disabilities and autism. On Wednesday, April 17, protesters from the Stolen Lives campaign gathered outside the Senedd in Cardiff Bay to accuse ministers of inaction. The campaign was founded by Dr. Dawn Cavanagh, from Hook, Pembrokeshire, whose own son is detained in a secure mental health hospital. 'We are talking about people being imprisoned without committing any crime,' said Dr. Cavanagh. 'Their only crime is being disabled. It has traumatised us as a family.' People needing mental health support are often criminalised, and reform in needed, campaigners say (Pic: Herald/File) The protest brought together families, carers, disability rights groups and allies. Holding placards and banners, they demanded urgent reform and meaningful investment in community care to prevent people being 'shut away' in hospitals for years at a time. Many of those detained are sent far from their families, often to private facilities in England, due to a lack of appropriate housing and support in Wales. 'We've had endless promises, meetings, reports—but nothing changes,' said one protester. 'We are tired of being told our case is unique. We're not. This is a national scandal.' Sophie Hinksman, 39, from Pembrokeshire, was sectioned in 2016 and says she still lives with the trauma. 'If I'd got the right support at home, everything would have been okay,' she said. 'Instead I was taken away and left to deteriorate. I'm still trying to come back from that.' The UK Government's new Mental Health Bill—adopted in part by the Welsh Government—claims it will limit the ability to detain autistic and learning-disabled people under the Mental Health Act unless they have a co-occurring mental illness. But campaigners say this won't stop detentions unless proper alternatives are funded. 'If community care isn't there, they'll still be detained—just under different legislation like the Mental Capacity Act,' said Dr. Cavanagh. Data published by the Welsh Government shows 135 people with a learning disability are currently in specialist inpatient services in Wales. In England, over 2,000 people with learning disabilities or autism are detained, and around half have been held for more than two years. Campaigners say many of those individuals were initially admitted due to crises brought on by poor housing, isolation, or lack of support staff. Once inside, people deteriorate further, delaying discharge indefinitely. A protest took place in Westminster on Tuesday (Image: BBC) 'Hospitals are not homes' Joe Powell, Chief Executive of All Wales People First, told the crowd at the Senedd: 'Wales led the way 41 years ago with the All Wales Strategy. It said hospitals are not homes and people should live in the community. Now we are going backwards.' Despite claims of progress, families say that local Health Boards and councils face little accountability when placements fail. The Welsh Government insists it is committed to reducing inpatient numbers and improving care. A spokesperson said: 'We do not agree that people with learning disabilities are being systematically detained inappropriately. Where hospital care is used, a care plan must be in place and reviewed regularly.' But campaigners are not reassured. 'It's like the Post Office scandal,' said one mother at the protest. 'They told each family their situation was unique—but the problem was the system all along.' There is hope — but no time to waste Elsewhere in Wales, community-based support is making a difference—when it's available. Sian McEvoy, 41, from Swansea, began volunteering at a local community farm after a long period of alcohol dependency and anxiety. 'When I was drinking, I didn't leave the house for three years,' she said. 'Now I'm out in the community, working with animals. It's helped my mental health and given me the confidence to think about getting back into work.' Steffan Thomas, 24, who is autistic, has volunteered at the same farm for four years. 'If I miss a week, I feel it,' he said. 'This place keeps me grounded.' Health experts say these are the kinds of solutions that need long-term investment—not short-term pilots. Professor Kamila Hawthorne, a Bevan Commission member, said: 'Social prescribing and early intervention can prevent crisis—but only if the infrastructure is there. Without it, the NHS will be overwhelmed, and vulnerable people will fall through the cracks.' As protesters packed up their banners outside the Senedd, Dr. Cavanagh said: 'We don't want more empty promises. We want people to come home.' Responding to the Welsh Government's plan, Welsh NHS Confederation Nesta Lloyd-Jones said: 'We welcome the shift in approach set out in the new Welsh Government's 10 year mental health and wellbeing strategy, which is centred on early intervention, prevention and person-centred care. 'As the strategy acknowledges, the building blocks of mental wellbeing start long before healthcare intervention – whether that's education, housing, employment, access to green spaces and leisure, the arts and so on. Building more resilient communities, addressing health inequalities and tackling loneliness are essential to this too. The Welsh Government's promise to prioritise action on mental health across all Welsh Government departments is a positive start on the journey to a cross-government approach to mental health, including the deployment of Health Impact Assessments. 'However, in these continuously financially challenging times, these sectors and services are among the first to be cut. We must think long-term and invest in these areas to make things better for individuals, healthcare services and the public purse. 'We know timely access to services play an important role in patient outcomes. NHS leaders support the concept of the no wrong door approach and the introduction of 111 press 2 is a good example of simplifying access for those reaching out for help. 'We know that societal inequalities put some groups at greater risk, underscoring the importance of providing these individuals with better resources and tackling barriers to accessing care. However, with rising demand for mental health services and the growing impact of climate change on mental wellbeing, a greater emphasis on primary, secondary and tertiary prevention is needed. 'Now this strategy has been published, the Welsh Government must ensure the resource and support is in place for sectors and organisations to deliver on the vision statements.' Jemma Wray, Head of Wales at the Mental Health Foundation said: 'We strongly welcome and support the new 10 year mental health strategy for Wales, and its vision to transform how the people of Wales are enabled and supported to live mentally healthy lives. The strategy is grounded in an understanding that poor mental health can be prevented through ensuring that the building blocks of good mental health are in place, and that there is a system of connected community support available which enables people to connect with what they need, when they need it. The delivery of this plan at a community level, ensuring the right infrastructure exists to support its implementation, will be vital in its success. It's equally important that the Welsh Government continues to work alongside people with lived experience and that their improved outcomes are the measure of its impact. We're pleased to have been able to contribute to the development of this strategy during the consultation period, and look forward to supporting its implementation in collaboration with Welsh Government, NHS Executive, Public Health Wales, and the Wales Alliance for Mental Health among others to help improve the outcomes for those who are most at risk of developing poor mental health in Wales.' Welsh Government says 'a major shift' is under way The Welsh Government insists its new 10-year strategy marks a turning point for mental health care in Wales. Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Sarah Murphy said: 'This strategy represents a major shift in how we approach mental health and wellbeing. We are focusing on prevention, early intervention, and ensuring easy access to support when needed.' The new strategy aims to expand open access and same-day support, building on the 111 'press 2' helpline and introducing a stepped care model, where people only move into more intensive treatment when truly necessary. It also promotes person-centred care and social prescribing, such as linking people with community groups and activities instead of relying solely on clinical interventions. 'We're working to address all the factors that affect wellbeing – from housing and employment to tackling loneliness,' Murphy added. Initiatives already supported under the scheme include Walking Friends Wales, which helps older people reduce loneliness through group walks and social connection. Campaigners, however, say that while the vision is welcome, the success of the strategy depends entirely on whether these services are funded and delivered at scale, and whether urgent cases of inappropriate detention are properly addressed. As Dr. Cavanagh said at the Senedd protest: 'We don't want more empty promises. We want people to come home.'
