Take a step forward to improve your wellbeing with Valleys Step

Do you want to improve your emotional wellbeing?  If so, Valleys Steps can help.

Valleys Steps is an exciting community based project that has been available in Cwm Taf since October 2015, offering free self help courses in Stress Control and Mindfulness.

 

The project aims to help people to manage emotional distress by improving emotional literacy and individual resilience to the challenges faced in everyday life. The courses help people to better understand and manage their feelings and thereby improve their well being.

 

At the launch today (April 14^th), Felicity Crump, service manager said: "It is really great to see how the project has grown already and to celebrate the achievements so far.

 

“I can't wait to see the next phase of developments and hear more on how we are making a positive impact on the well-being of the local communities.”

The self referral/walk-in courses are held at different times of the day at various locations within Cwm Taf. The required attendance is one session per week for six weeks.

 

The courses have been well received and feedback from participants has included; “This course has given me hope and I feel that I am now equipped with the right tools to help me along my way” and “Course was interesting and will help me in my day to day life and general well being.”

 

Cwm Taf University Health Board is supporting the project, and James McMahon, assistant head of planning of primary, community and mental health said: “We are extremely excited about this innovative new approach to promoting emotional well-being.

 

“We know these evidence based courses can be helpful and really work for people.”

 

Local GPs and pharmacists have welcomed Valleys Steps as it provides a genuine alternative to patients who are seeking to improve their wellbeing and reduce their stress.

 

This innovative project is being funded by a ‘Wales Well Being Bond’ provided by the Welsh Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) and if it proves to be a success in the Cwm Taf area it is hoped that it will be extended to other parts of Wales.

 

Phil Fiander, director of operations at WCVA said: “We see this as a shining example of what social investment is all about.

 

“It represents a great opportunity to not only make a change for the better in many people’s lives but act as an exemplar in Wales; a real potential game-changer for the sector as a whole.”