MASH group wins Health Challenge award

Maerdy Association for Self Help Wins Health Challenge Award

Maerdy Association for Self-Help (MASH), has won first prize in the Health Challenge RCT Crystal Trophy Awards 2009.  MASH scooped the first prize of £1000 and the prestigious crystal trophy for their amazing contribution to the community. MASH is a self help group who focus on recovery from depression and which is an excellent example of community collaboration between agencies.

Members of MASH with the trophy

MASH was set up by Journeys in partnership with Maerdy Communities First and with the support of RCT Local Health Board as part of the roll out of Journeys' Depression Busting self-management programme. The programme aims to improve the skills amd knowledge of local people so that they can support one another to achieve sustainable recovery from depression.

Beverly Smith, who is a service user and an ambassador of the group, spoke of how MASH has saved her life:

"Before I became involved in the group I found life quite difficult and was really struggling with every day tasks. The group has saved my life and helped me to tackle the things I was finding difficult, I am now able to live my life instead of watching it slip away. Thank you MASH!"

Chair of the group and service user, Barbara Montague, said:

"MASH has really helped me to understand depression and learn how I can help my husband cope with the illness. The project has now helped lots of people across the County Borough and is being rolled out to other areas due to its success.

"This award is testament to the hard work and commitment of not only the team but the service users themselves and will now give us the confidence to continue the work that we are doing. It is really fantastic when other people recognise the work that we do."

Councillor Mike Forey, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services, said:

"We are privileged in Rhondda Cynon Taf to have such a high calibre of groups operating across the County Borough. These groups operate in addition to the services offered by the Council and our partners in Health and provide fantastic and as mentioned by one of the service users, a sometimes life saving service to residents. I would like to congratulate all of the winners and thank them for their hard work and contribution to improving health and wellbeing across Rhondda Cynon Taf."