Adferiad Launches Towards a Fairer Future: Priorities for the Next Welsh Government

Today, we are excited to publish Adferiad’s ‘Towards a Fairer Future: Priorities for the Next Welsh Government’ – a set of clear calls to action that demonstrate what we stand for, and the change we want to see in Wales, ahead of the upcoming 2026 Senedd election.

The facts are hard to ignore: many people living with mental health issues are being forgotten, left behind, and lost in a fragmented system – but this is all preventable. Our 5 priorities reflect the changes we believe are needed to strengthen mental health, substance use, and wider support systems across Wales.

1. Integrating Mental Health and Substance Use Services
2. Delivering Same-Day Open-Access Support
3. Committing to Long-Term Funding for Health and Social Care
4. Delivering a Wales Mental Health Act
5. Developing Care and Treatment Planning Coordination

These priorities are not just targets; they are built on the voices of the staff and those we support every day, reflecting the real lives, needs, and struggles of real people living with mental illness and addiction. Captured through the ‘Tell Us’ survey that ran through the summer, it reflects the things that our beneficiaries have told us matter most, and will guide our future political engagement. This is key for our organisation and the people we support because it helps us turn real experience into real action. With reliable decision-making that considers the impact on mental wellbeing, clear leadership, and adequate funding, we can reshape the system around prevention, access, and fairness.

We encourage you to read our priorities in full, and show your support by sharing widely, including with your local Senedd representative, to support us in inspiring positive change for people living with mental illness and addiction across Wales.