2. Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd on 15 June 2022.
7. Will the Minister outline the actions the Welsh Government is taking to improve mental wellbeing across the Vale of Clwyd? OQ58179
Thank you. Improving the well-being of Wales is at the heart of everything we do, thanks to our groundbreaking Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. Examples of specific actions include the healthy and active fund, which aims to support projects that increase the physical activity of those who are currently sedentary or have very low levels of activity and improve mental well-being.
Thank you for that answer, Deputy Minister. During this Men's Health Week, I wanted to raise an issue directly impacting the mental well-being of my constituents, which is the Denbigh Men's Shed. We're all aware of the fantastic work undertaken by Men's Sheds in creating places where loneliness and isolation are addressed in a friendly environment, and where men can chat and enjoy each other's company. Denbigh Men's Shed has been operating out of Trefeirian on Love Lane, and it's owned by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, but it's recently been told that they can no longer use the site. This has caused tremendous upset and anxiety for the group, already struggling with the loss of one of its members to suicide, unfortunately.
Deputy Minister, I have asked the health board to urgently resolve these issues, but I'm just asking today if there's anything you or your officials can do to intervene with the health board in order to ensure that Denbigh Men's Shed can open back up as soon as possible. Thank you.
Thank you very much for that supplementary, Gareth. Can I take this opportunity to place on record my appreciation of the work that is done by Men's Sheds throughout Wales? I think they play a really important role in supporting mental health and tackling loneliness, and I'm glad that we've been able to support them through Welsh Government funding in the past.
In relation to the issue that you've raised about the Men's Shed in Denbigh, I was very concerned to hear about that situation. I've been in touch with the health board and have been advised that, following a health and safety walk around, risks were noted and felt to be of such a nature that a temporary suspension of this service was required. The decision to temporarily curtail access to the site was made in relation to the four-day bank holiday. A more detailed health and safety report is being provided, and a fire safety report for the site is expected. This will be developed to agree a joint mitigation plan on 24 June to ensure that the service can be reinstated without delay. It is recognised, though, that any further delay in reopening access to this site might have a negative impact for those citizens who rely on the Men's Shed service, and I'm assured that the health board will ensure any risks remaining are either addressed or support any alternative options for delivering this service while risks on the Trefeirian site are resolved, if the concerns can be mitigated. So, I hope that that gives you the assurance that this is being followed up and that the health board are seeking to resolve it urgently.
And finally, question 8, Rhys ab Owen.