Caniad

Improving Lives Together

Welcome to Caniad, a support project based in North Wales dedicated to improving community services for all. Caniad recognises that individuals with lived experience of issues such as addiction and mental health challenges, have a vital role to play in facilitating improvements in local services. Could your voice inspire positive change?


We Need your help…

The Strategic Programme for Mental Health is undertaking a national survey to better understand what helps people living with long-term mental health conditions to maintain and improve their physical health, the barriers they face, and what changes would make the greatest difference to health outcomes.

The findings will help inform a National Improvement Plan for Wales and ensure that the voices and experiences of people with lived experience are central to future improvement work.

The survey can be accessed here:

Complete The Survey

 

Who We Are

Caniad women on phone call

We are a service working for change. 

It is our mission to provide a platform where professionals, services, carers and Service Users can come together to create positive change within the community.   Uniting different perspectives is our passion.  At Caniad, we believe that both Service Users and carers have a vital role to play in actively contributing and influencing our support systems.  We want to empower people and to show that with the right support and mindset, past experiences can shape a brand new future.

 

Have your say, let your experience lead the way.

What We Do

We build connections…

…Through our CATCH-UPS

Catch-ups (formerly Big Chats) are open drop-in groups where anyone is welcome.

We discuss topics around mental health and substance misuse services, collect feedback and share information. They are a good opportunity to meet and find out more about various service providers within North Wales, find out more about Caniad and chat with people who may have had similar experiences.

We work closely with local services and with the people that access services to improve facilities for all.  We collaborate with individuals who have first-hand experience of services within the local community. The Service User perspective is of utmost importance in making a meaningful impact on behalf of others. We firmly believe that those who use community services at grass roots level are the best people to shape their future, and we wholeheartedly welcome responses from people who have accessed support. This feedback is invaluable in identifying areas for improvement and ensuring the development of better community services for all.

Click the link to find out when the next Catch-up in your area is!

 

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Get Involved

Your Feedback Matters.

By sharing your experiences and insights, you can make a significant contribution to positive change and potentially inspire or empower others who may be facing similar challenges. That’s why we are dedicated to engaging people with lived experience of mental health and substance misuse problems, as well as carers, in decisions about how these services should be delivered. We believe that involving those directly affected by these issues is essential for creating effective and compassionate solutions that truly meet the needs of individuals and their communities.

Have your say, let your experience lead the way.

Latest News

LEAG Recruitment

Lived Experience recruitment campaign

Caniad needs your Feedback

Suggest feedback to help shape services in your community

Drop In Sessions

Need help with substance misuse… then come to one of our drop in sessions

Get Involved With Caniad

Get Involved With Caniad

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Mental Health Get Involved

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Community Coordinator Vacancy – SMART Recovery

Community Coordinator Advert North Wales (bilingual) - March 2026 Download

Frequently Asked Questions

What we do ?

Caniad empowers individuals who wish to amplify their voices, drive impactful change, and contribute to the development of mental health and substance misuse services in North Wales.

Who do we support  ?


Caniad welcomes all individuals engaged with mental health and/or substance misuse services, as well as those who provide care and support to someone accessing these services. You can play a pivotal role in influencing decisions and shaping the future of mental health and substance misuse services by becoming a Caniad Involver.

Can anyone use this service ?


To become a Caniad Involver, you’ll need a referral, which can be initiated through self-referral or by another service. However, you’re always welcome to reach out to Caniad for information or attend our local drop-in sessions without a referral. If you’re interested in becoming an Involver, please click here to learn more.

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