Cwmbwrla Day Services
Mental Health through Education & Training
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Information Lab
The first indications that there was to be a Library in Cwmbwrla was the arrival of about 20 large black boxes crammed with books. The task of sorting these out was given to two service users Rosita and Clare. It took nearly six months to do this, especially as many of the books were so interesting it was difficult to put them down! Meanwhile partitions were being created in a section of the dining room and lined with shelves and bookcases. Finally the books were catalogued and sorted. A computer system was set up including category list, alphabetical and date order and book loans, and in October 2007 we were ready to open.
Initially the number of books we had in the library were around 1500 and covering a wide variety of topics related to mental health. Psychology, psychiatry, medicines, illness, substance misuse and many more. The most popular sections to date have been “Self Help” books and Biographies of people, many famous, who have experienced social, family, health, mental health difficulties. The centre is open to any person who wishes to have information on mental health, users, carers, volunteers, students, staff etc. To date we have 74 members with the loan of almost 600 books.
For two years we have manned (or womanned!) a display stand on World Mental Health Day in the Brangwyn Hall in October 2007 and the Grand Theatre Arts Wing in 2008.
We have added to our numbers of books and now have in excess of 1900. We also have a display stand from SNAP Cymru (Special Needs Advisory Project) which is an advocacy service for children and young people with special need. This gives access to advice and help from the SNAP centre which is situated nearby in Cwmfelin.
As editor and assistant editor of the “Create Magazine” and “Infolab News”, Rosita and Clare are also kept busy on these productions. Incidentally any contributions for these publications will be gratefully received.
Recent developments include the introduction of a new library “person”, Denise, who has settled in exceedingly well and is already making a great difference, with Clare to the look of the library. We are expanding, collating and updating our Information Section. Once this has been done we will launch a publicity campaign and hopefully attract more people to “Infolab”.
We are proud to say that this is truly an enterprise organised and run by “service users”
Rosita Wilkins
7.05.2009