Headroom is an Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) service within Cardiff and Vale University Health board. Headroom supports individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis between the ages of 14-25. 

Psychotic disorders are among the most serious mental health problems, and this population of young people is at high risk of developing long term disorders with very substantial personal and societal costs. EIP services have been developed in recent years specifically to reduce these risks by offering optimal psychosocial and medical interventions in the ‘window of opportunity’ in the early stages of illness. As this approach has evolved, there has been an increasing focus on promoting physical health, personal growth, and social inclusion through active psychosocial interventions.

Many of the young people in the team can find themselves restricted by their situation and social circumstances, with limited opportunities for new experiences which allow for growth and self-development. Most mental health care focuses on trying to change the individual’s problems – to reduce symptoms with medication, or to improve psychological adjustment with therapy. 

Over the last few years, however, groups of young people from the team have sailed Faramir, a 22m sailing yacht purpose-built for sail training, around parts of the UK coastline. This aims to address some of the factors which can keep people stuck in their life situation and in services, by providing a radically different environment in which it is possible to develop confidence, new skills, engage in physical health promotion and a fresh perspective on life ashore.

Experiences like this, along with other new and exciting opportunities for the young people in the team, make a huge difference and are provided free-of-charge to the young people who take part. However, we as a team need to find ways to fund them without having access to a bottomless pot of gold... this is where you lovely people come in!

A half marathon is considerably further than I have ever run before - a fact my body is keen to remind me of every time I try to run a little bit  faster or for a little while longer. Nonetheless, on October 1st 2023 I will be embarking on a 21km adventure of my own.

Please donate what you can and know that you are making some amazing experiences possible for people who really do deserve them (as well as making me suffer, though I'll let you be the judge of whether I deserve that or not!).

Thank you,
Ben

Cardiff & Vale Health Charity is the official charity of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board which supports all the wards, departments, hospitals, community services and research areas throughout Cardiff and The Vale of Glamorgan.