Sioned Williams MS secures Government visit to local LGBTQ+ mental health charity

“Shameful” that “vital” service faces closure months after founder receives award for their work

Following a question from Sioned Williams MS in the Senedd today (Wednesday 15 January), the Cabinet Secretary responsible for Health has said he’d be “very happy to meet” a Swansea based charity that supports young LGBTQ+ people with their mental health.

In the Senedd, Sioned Williams MS raised the plight of Progress Cymru Counselling, who, without further support, will have to close their doors after 20 years of helping young people and others.

Ms Williams outlined the shocking figures that almost 60% of LGBTQ+ people seriously considered attempting suicide, while nearly 1 in 5 have attempted suicide.

She also highlighted that the founder of Progress Cymru Counselling, Debbie Lane, has been recognised for her services in the mental health of young people in the New Year’s Honours List.

Ms Williams has said its “shameful” that “all this good work” could come to an end in April, when the charity say it will run out of funds.

Cabinet Secretary for Health, Jeremy Miles MS, responded that he would “be happy to meet” Progress Cymru Counselling and he agreed with Ms Williams that they are “clearly” making a difference for young people.

Sioned Williams MS, Plaid Cymru Member of Senedd for South Wales West, said:

“Progress Cymru Counselling is an organisation that makes a real difference. Not only have they never lost someone who they have supported, but out of the referrals made to them, none have needed to be re-referred back to the NHS.

“This is an exemplar model of preventative mental health care – indeed, calculations show that they save the government over a million pounds a year.

“It’s shameful that all this good work could soon come to an end, due to a lack of funding. For Debbie Lane to receive an award in one month, and to face closure three months later is a particular blow.

“The loss of organisations like Progress Cymru will mean that more young people will struggle to get the support they need, and some may not get the help they need in time. Welsh Government must do all they can to ensure that vital services like these are not lost.”