MS praises Wrexham mental health services after winning national awards

A Wrexham-based charity and individual has tasted success at a recent award ceremony that recognises the very best mental health services in Wales.

Based on Belmont Road in the city centre, Advance Brighter Futures won ‘Best Mental Health Support Service’ and Keir Harding triumphed in the ‘Inspirational Leader’ category.

Both entries were nominated as part of the Mental Health & Wellbeing Awards, which highlights and celebrates the work, interventions and success of individuals and organisations throughout Wales.

Advance Brighter Futures (ABF) is a mental health charity that focuses on helping people build happier and more fulfilling lives through improving mental wellbeing. Founded in 1992, the charitable organisation aims to ensure that no individual experiencing mental health problems ever feel like they’re on their own.  ABF work in partnerships with people experiencing mental distress in promoting health, wellbeing and recovery in Wrexham, as well as its local communities.

Wrexham’s second winner at the prestigious award ceremony was Keir Harding, a mental health professional with more than 20 years of experience.  Keir founded Beam Consultancy and is passionate about improving services for people suffering from severe and complex mental health issues.  After discovering survivors of abuse can often find themselves stuck in specialist private hospitals, Keir’s work aims to keep people within their communities and out of hospital, saving the NHS significant sums of money in the process.

The Mental Health & Wellbeing Wales Awards ceremony took place in Cardiff at the end of last year and Wrexham’s Member of the Senedd, Lesley Griffiths, recently caught up with the local winners to offer her congratulations.

She said: “People like Keir and those who work at Advance Brighter Futures do not seek praise but it is right their outstanding work is celebrated.

“ABF has helped countless people over the years and is a cornerstone of the local community. As well as celebrating its 30th anniversary, in recent years the charity has secured significant Welsh Government funding which helped refurbish and expand their premises, enabling ABF to continue to provide a fantastic service to local people.

“Keir is an inspirational force who has dedicated his life to improving mental health and wellbeing in Wales and beyond. He is determined to break down barriers and stand up for those who have experienced traumatic mental health episodes.

“Congratulations once again to everyone at Advance Brighter Futures and to Keir.  I am proud their pioneering work, that provides valuable support to people in and around Wrexham, has received national recognition.”

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Awards is managed and organised by The Ajuda Foundation, a community interest company that promotes positive mental health in organisations, individuals and communities across Wales.