Where you can get help in Barry Penarth and Vale of Glamorgan

During these times when normal daily life is turned upside down and people can be left more isolated than normal or are unable to get to the shops due to isolation, it can bring on or make many mental health conditions worse and leave people feeling helpless. But there are many people out there who are doing their best during these trying times to make life easier for people who are struggling, whether that is by doing shopping or small errands for people isolating, or phoning people to check in.

Read more on our We're in it Together campaign here

Here are some local and national organisations that are on hand and the services that they will be offering.

Barry Round Table

Have been helping the local community by providing Christmas dinners to elderly people in Barry and they support multiple local organisations and members of the community.

Barry Round Table are proud to support national charities like Children in Need and Anthony Nolan, whilst also supporting local charities and individuals making an enormous difference to lives of Barry residents every year.

Soroptimists International Barry & District

The Barry & District Soroptimists International group help a number of local and international charities through their work.

For more information contact sibarryclub@gmail.com

Barry Rotary

Barry Rotary Club have been helping various organisations with provision of PPE and raising funds for various organisations around the Barry area. They provide help to the Vale foodbank with donations.

Age Connects Cardiff & the Vale

Age Connects Cardiff & the Vale support elderly people who are living alone or isolated. They also promote the wellbeing and independence of local elderly people. They offer friendship and practical help, advice on the rights of elderly people and help and advice with benefits and health and social care services. They also provide nail cutting and shopping services.

For more information and to arrange for help, contact 029 2068 3600 or visit https://www.ageconnectscardiff.org.uk/services

Cowbridge Town Council

Cowbridge Town Council have organised a number of volunteers who can help with small errands including shopping and prescription runs. For further information please contact the Town Clerk, Ceri John on 01656 773896 or c.p.john@cowbridge-tc.gov.uk

Dinas Powys Voluntary Concern

Dinas Powys Voluntary Concern provide support and friendship to anyone feeling isolated or lonely. Its services are open for anyone shielding or self-isolating during the pandemic, not just the elderly. For more information on the support they give, please contact 029 20513700 or dpvc@btinternet.com.

Vale Heroes

Vale of Glamorgan council have localised all of their emergency help under the Vale Heroes https://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/en/working/Volunteering/Vale-Heroes/Vale-Heroes.aspx

If you need help with emergency medication or other support, you can call 01446 729592.

Vale Foodbank

The Vale Foodbank are donating food parcels to those in need. They are closed until January 4 and will resume on this date.

National

Live Fear Free

The Welsh Government’s Live Fear Free helpline provides support for people suffering from violence and abuse. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can call free on 0808 8010800, text 07860077333 and email info@livefearfreehelpline.wales.

Dyn Project

Dyn Project offers support for men across Wales suffering from domestic violence by contacting 0808 801 0321 or emailing support@dynwales.org.

C.A.L.L. Helpline

The mental health helpline for Wales is C.A.L.L Helpline. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

They offer community advice and a listening line, with confidential listening and support service. You can call 0800 132 737 or text ‘help’ to 81066. You can also visit www.callhelpline.org.uk for more information.

Samaritans

Samaritans are a UK-wide service for people needing help with their mental health. They are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They will listen and you can call at any time day or night.

For help call 116 123 for free or visit www.samaritans.org.

You can also email jo@samaritans.org but take note that a response to the email can take 24 hours.

Mind

Mind can provide information and signposting services. They are open 9am-6pm Monday to Friday, apart from bank holidays.

You can get information on mental health problems, where you can get help close to you, treatment options and advocacy services.

Contact the Mind Infoline on 0300 123 3393, text 86463 or visit https://www.mind.org.uk/

Please be aware than they are closed on Christmas Day, December 28 and January 1.

Melo

The Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has developed the Melo website with partners to promote the mental wellbeing of people living and working in Torfaen, Newport, Monmouthshire, Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent.

Melo is here to help you to develop new skills that will support you when life is difficult.

https://www.melo.cymru/

Carers Trust South East Wales

Carers Trust South East Wales is running a winter emergency grants scheme for unpaid carers affected by the Coronavirus crisis.

Carers can now apply for a grant of up to £300 to address immediate winter pressures and emergency needs caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Carers Support Fund has been provided by Welsh Government via Carers Trust Wales to be administered by Carers Trust South East Wales (CTSEW). For more information visit https://www.ctsew.org.uk/carers-support-fund-grants?fbclid=IwAR0ykTwHHx7iBUwoxXbP96FkeK3H1-wJMTtps-Ug-Vk01zvUulnHZhinzVs

Home-Start Cymru

Provide friendship, emotional support and practical advice in the homes of families who are having difficulties managing parenting for a variety of different reasons. These could be poor mental health, managing children’s challenging behaviour, disability, domestic abuse, isolation or low self-esteem.

Our mission is to give children the best possible start in life, by supporting parents so they grow in confidence, strengthening and enjoying their relationships with their children and widening their links with the local community.

For more information or to get help visit https://homestartcymru.org.uk/

Have we missed any? Please let us know by emailing newsdesk@southwalesargus.co.uk with some information on what the group is doing during lockdown to help the community.