Mental health group's £2,000 funding boost to expand services
A charity which supports people with their mental health is extending its work in North Tyneside with the help of a four-figure grant from a regional employer.
The PeerTalk Charitable Foundation supports people living with depression or anxiety by hosting weekly peer support groups which help them share their experiences, develop coping strategies, reduce social isolation, build new relationships and grow in confidence. A £2,000 grant from the Banks Community Fund will now help PeerTalk cover the costs of running its weekly groups at the Linskill Centre in North Shields and the Big Local community hub in Whitley Bay for the next six months, as well as funding volunteer recruitment and training.
It will also help to pay for volunteer recruitment and training work, as well as publicity materials for GP surgeries in Killingworth, as the charity aims to increase the number of local people it can help.
Data from the most recent NHS Talking Therapies Annual Report showed that the prevalence of depression in North Shields and Killingworth areas was significantly higher than the national average. Founded ten years, the PeerTalk Charitable Foundation allows people to support each other before, during and after the therapy that the NHS and enable attendees to maintain contact with each other between meetings, both generally and at moments of crisis. Rev Stephen Normanton, chief executive at the PeerTalk Charitable Foundation, said: "Issues like depression, anxiety and stress are sadly all too common. “Our group meetings are designed to provide a forum where these people can share their experience with others who understand what they’re going through. He added: “Our North Shields and Whitley Bay meetings are doing just that, and we hope to be able to involve more local people. “Receiving this sort of lump sum from the Banks Group is crucial in allowing us to plan into the future.” Jamilah Hassan, community relations manager at the Banks Group, added: “PeerTalk’s people-centred approach ensures that help is available in the places that people need it, both over the short and the long term. “The charity and its volunteers are already making a positive difference to people across the North East and we’re very pleased to be helping it continue its work in North Tyneside.” For further information on the PeerTalk Charitable Foundation, go to https://peertalk.org.uk