Work to renovate Aberystwyth’s Gorwelion community mental health centre has begun, with health chiefs hoping it will be completed early this year.

Almost £210,000 will be spent on the work at Gorwelion ahead of the centre offering 24/7 support later this year for people with mental health issues.

The new facility will help meet the need for a dedicated service in Aberystwyth following the controversial closure of Bronglais Hospital’s Afallon Ward left north Ceredigion without a dedicated 24-hour mental health facility.

Initially the refurbished Gorwelion will be open between 8am and 6pm following the work, which includes new areas for a reception counter, a place of safety room, a new shower wet room, with a large open-plan hospitality room being redecorated, and redecoration of the main entrance.

Bleddyn Lewis, the health board’s Ceredigion service manager, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to develop mental health services in north Ceredigion.

“This is an exciting time and a major change to the delivery of mental health services.”

The health board said it expects Gorwelion to provide a service that can intervene at an earlier stage and prevent service users from reaching crisis point.

It will also be able to act as a safety net for those who are discharged and be available for service users to contact the facility if they have a problem.

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