VIRGINIA CROSBIE MP for Ynys Môn visited the GOLAU Centre in Llangefni to raise awareness of the work of the Barnardo’s charity in the region.

GOLAU is an early intervention and prevention service working with children aged eight to 18 who live on Anglesey.

It offers a number of services including one-to-one counselling, group work and schools-based support.

During her visit Mrs Crosbie took a tour of the facilities and spoke to the team working at the centre.

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“Since the launch of my Mental Health 100 campaign in 2021 I have been overwhelmed by the interest and enthusiasm of local people to understand and support those with mental health issues,” said the Ynys Môn MP.

“In the wake of the pandemic we are seeing an increase in mental health and wellbeing issues across all ages.

“It was fantastic to see the work being done at the GOLAU Centre and to get a greater insight into the challenges and issues being raised by local young people.

“Ynys Môn is fortunate to have this excellent facility to offer vital support to our children and young people and I would like to thank the team at GOLAU for their important work.”

Meinir Williams-Jones, Barnardo’s Cymru Assistant Director for North Wales, said: “Barnardo’s GOLAU has been providing mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people on Anglesey for the past three years, and we were really pleased to discuss this with Virginia when she visited us recently.

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“It was great for Virginia to come along to the centre, and for her to meet with the managers and team to look at the success of the service which was set up by children and young people for children and young people on Anglesey.

“We believe that the role children and young people have had in establishing this service was an important part of how successful it has been.

“GOLAU interventions with children and young people (which are evidence-based and child-centred) have had exceptional results, with improved resilience in 93-95% of cases.

“This is testament to the passion and skills of the practitioners within the service, who are dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people on the island, and to the young people themselves who are at the centre of everything that we do.”