A Bipolar UK volunteer from Cardiff has been nominated for a ‘volunteer of the year’ award at this year’s The Mental Health & Wellbeing Awards after dedicating over 25 years of his life to supporting others living with the condition and their loved ones.
George Baugh, 70 and a retired British Telecommunications manager, lives with bipolar and co-facilitates the monthly Cardiff Bipolar UK Peer Support Group. The meetings are a safe space for people who live with the condition – and their families – to share their experiences and information on how to manage the condition, and break down the stigma associated with it.
Bipolar is a lifelong, severe mental illness characterised by extreme mood swings and changes in energy levels. Someone with bipolar can have long or short periods of stability, but can then go ‘low’ (into deep depression) or ‘high’ (experiencing hypomania, mania or psychosis).
Bipolar mood swings go far beyond most people’s everyday experiences of feeling a bit down or happy. About 2% (1 in 50) of the population (60,000 people in Wales) have bipolar. That’s more than the number of people who have dementia and roughly twice the number of people who have schizophrenia.
“I was diagnosed with bipolar in 1999 whilst reading for a degree in Genetics at Cardiff University,” said George.
“Before completing my final year, I experienced the symptoms of mania: racing thoughts, pressurised speech, losing touch with reality. I was hospitalised for about two months.
“It was a relief to be given a diagnosis of bipolar disorder as I was able to begin the process of understanding and learning about the illness.”
After seeing a poster for the Cardiff peer support group (founded in 1988) while in hospital, George attended his first meeting where he found it a “revelation” to hear the experiences of others living with bipolar and learn more about their management tools.
George has now been empowering others living with bipolar for 25 years through the same support meeting, encouraging them to share their experiences and supporting them to feel less alone. As well as organising events with the members of the peer support group, including trips to cinemas, concerts, walks around Cardiff Bay and even enjoying lunch together, George has built more than just a community – he’s facilitated hundreds of friendships.
Speaking about George’s commitment to the charity and subsequent award nomination, senior peer support officer, Helen Hancock said: “George is a true inspiration and, as a charity, we wanted to acknowledge the incredible commitment he has made to both the charity and the bipolar community.
“George provides everyone attending the group an opportunity to share their experiences, feel a sense of belonging, feel validated, understood and accepted, with no judgment and to feel less stigmatised and isolated.
“He is also a mine of useful practical information for group members, organising external speakers on a regular basis on subjects like medication, psychology, creative therapies and bipolar research and shares his own practical tips and suggestions.
“By nominating George for this award, we hope to showcase that you can live well with bipolar and there is a solace in people coming together and empowering each other – one of the key things we aim to achieve as a charity.”
The 2025 Mental Health & Wellbeing Wales Awards and Conference will be held on 10th October 2025 at Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel & Spa.
Bipolar UK offers support to anyone affected by bipolar with their free UK-wide services – peer support line, peer support groups and eCommunity – and resources, including their Could it be bipolar? campaign and Mood Tracker app.
The Bipolar UK Cardiff Peer Support Group meets in the Friends Meeting House in the centre of Cardiff on the first Tuesday of each month. Anyone affected by bipolar, over the age of 18, is welcome.
About Bipolar UK
Bipolar UK is the only national charity dedicated to supporting people affected by bipolar.
Bipolar UK provides a range of services, including information and advice, a network of support groups, an eCommunity, workplace training and telephone and email peer support. Bipolar UK also works in partnership with research organisations, and campaigns for change to build a better world for everyone affected by bipolar. For more information, visit www.bipolaruk.org