Construction work resumes on £1.3m Holyhead substance misuse and mental health support hub
Construction work has resumed on the £1.3m redevelopment of a substance misuse and mental health support hub in the centre of Holyhead, after delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The significant expansion of the Craig Hyfryd building on Cambria Street will enable people experiencing drug, alcohol and mental health difficulties to access support from a range of different organisations under one roof.
Until recently, the building was used as a satellite base for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s substance misuse and community mental health team staff.
However, the size and poor condition of the building prevented NHS staff from working effectively with other agencies to provide joined-up support.
The redevelopment will significantly increase the building’s therapeutic and office space, enabling joint working between a range of organisations, including BCUHB’s substance misuse and mental health teams, drug and alcohol recovery charity CAIS, employment and probation services, and other third sector providers.
It will also support the development of the Cyfle Cymru peer mentor scheme, which helps people experiencing substance misuse or mental health problems to develop confidence and access training, qualifications and work experience.
Aled Hughes, BCUHB’s Team Manager for Substance Misuse Services on Anglesey, said: “The redevelopment will deliver a modern, therapeutic environment which enables us to work much more closely with a range of other agencies under one roof to support people’s recovery.
“We know that this kind of multi-agency working, where people can easily access the seamless support they need, is essential if we are to deliver the very best outcomes.”
CAIS Chief Executive Clive Wolfendale said: “We’re very pleased to be working alongside Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and other partners as part of this exciting redevelopment at Craig Hyfryd.
“This project will allow our specialist staff to work more closely with colleagues from substance misuse, mental health, employment and probation services on a day-to-day basis – helping people from Ynys Môn to improve their health, their personal circumstances and their prospects.
“We already work in partnership with the health board at our Hafan Wen detoxification unit in Wrexham, on the pioneering I CAN Work employment support scheme, as a host of the Caniad service user involvement initiative and on a number of other community and therapeutic projects, and look forward to building on these successes in Holyhead.”
During the construction phase, which is expected to finish in the Summer of 2021, services currently provided at Craig Hyfryd have temporarily moved to the WOW Centre on London Road.