People in South Wales can now access free online mental health therapy through a new referral system set up in partnership with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTMUHB).

For the first time, CTMUHB’s Local Primary and Child and Adolescent Mental Health services can refer clients to a suite of guided, online self-help programmes based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

CTMUHB – serving Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taf - is the third health board to gain direct referral access to the service, with teams at Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) and Aneurin Bevan already referring.

Anyone in Wales aged 16+ can already self-refer to the service for free without seeing a GP or joining waiting lists.

Support through the programmes is provided for 12 weeks, but service users can set their own pace and access material and exercises even after completing courses. Progress is monitored by trained practitioners, who provide fortnightly feedback and can escalate more serious cases to access further support.

30,000 people have received support from the service – funded by the Welsh government - since it piloted in Powys in 2018.

If you’re under the care of CTMUHB’s Local Primary or Child and Adolescent Mental Health services, discuss a referral with your therapist.

Learn more about SilverCloud at: https://pthb.nhs.wales/services/adult-and-older-peoples-mental-health-services/silvercloud-online-mental-health-support/

To sign up via self-referral, visit: https://nhswales.silvercloudhealth.com/signup/

The Merthyr Tydfil Community Trust has recently awarded small grants to 11 local organisations. The recipients were 4Tom, St David’s Baby Bank, Aberfan Junior Wado Kai Karate Club, Cyfarthfa Gardening Club, Family Foxes School Partnership, Margaret Watts-Hughes Foundation, Merthyr Tydfil Poppy Crafters, Merthyr Wado Karate Club, Twynyrodyn Community School, Valleys Football Academy, and Ymlaen Merthyr Tydfil.

The Trust granted a total of £3,300 which is the total it had available. All the grants made were either £300 or £200. The number of applications received was unprecedented and numbered 37 which is twice the amount normally received. This is an indicator of the demand in funding for small groups in the County Borough.

The Trust is run by volunteers and given the annual income of the Trust it is unlikely that the Trust will be able to award more grants until 2026 unless donations are made to the Trust.

If an individual or company would like to make a donation, please contact Ian Davy at ian.davy@hotmail.co.uk

You can follow the Merthyr Tydfil Community Trust Facebook page The Trust's website is https://merthyrcommunitytrust.co.uk/

This year celebrating its 40th anniversary, Volunteers' Week will take place Monday 3rd June to Sunday 9th June.

Volunteers’ Week is about celebrating and thanking those who give up their time to make a difference. Whether you’re part of a voluntary organisation or a volunteer yourself, here’s how to make your week as great as possible.

To access the resource pack and for further information please click HERE