Port Talbot, Wales – The UK Government, alongside Neath Port Talbot Council, has committed £3.27 million to bolster mental health services for steelworkers, their families, and the broader community in Port Talbot. This funding is part of the wider Tata Steel/Port Talbot Transition Board’s £80 million support fund, which aims to assist the transition to greener steelmaking and support the local economy. Over £50 million of this fund has already been allocated to help steelworkers and supply chain businesses adjust to the changes.
The new mental health and wellbeing initiative is seen as essential for helping those affected by the ongoing transition to secure and maintain employment. Key services that will benefit from the funding include:
- Recruitment of additional counsellors to support steelworkers and their families
- Grants and resources for existing mental health provisions
- Expansion of peer and community support networks, including Men’s Sheds and She Sheds
- Support in schools for children impacted by changes at Tata Steel
- Specialist welfare and debt advice for affected families
- Suicide prevention and awareness training for council and trade union staff
The funding is designed to be flexible, with the potential for additional allocations based on demand.
Jo Stevens, the Secretary of State for Wales, emphasized the importance of mental health support alongside skill development. “We are helping people learn new skills, but we also need to help protect people’s mental health. Well-being is crucial to getting back into work and staying in work,” she said. She further noted that investing in mental health services is an essential part of supporting the community and boosting the local economy.
Rebecca Evans, the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy, and Planning, expressed continued support for those impacted by the transition, stating, “We will continue to ensure the right assistance is in place for those impacted, as well as providing opportunities for growth, investment, and employment wherever they arise.”
Cllr Steve Hunt, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, welcomed the funding, acknowledging its critical importance as the region adapts to changes in steelmaking. He pointed out that many households in Port Talbot are directly affected by these changes, making this mental health funding even more vital.
Local mental health advisor Martyn Wagstaff emphasized the significance of the initiative, saying, “It’s really important that anyone struggling with their mental health asks for help. This funding means that people in Neath Port Talbot will be able to access more support when they need it.”
This mental health-focused funding is just one part of the broader efforts to aid Port Talbot during its economic transition, with more regeneration and job creation projects expected to be announced in the coming months.
