Based at the Ashwood Resource Centre on Portland Street, the centre runs three mornings a week to provide support, advice and friendship to those with mental health difficulties.

Kirkby project leader, Heather Jackson, says the centre aims to support people through their illness and beyond by giving them a safe place that they can visit during good times and also when things are more difficult.

"Everyone who visits us is made to feel welcome and there is no stigma attached to people seeking help for mental health difficulties at the activity centre," says Heather.

"It's better for people to get in contact with us as soon as they feel something might be wrong rather than let a condition like depression really take a hold.

"Early symptoms include losing interest in hobbies or activities you would normally enjoy or feeling weepy and crying for no particular reason.

"We offer a relaxed drop-in centre where people can seek counselling, have a shoulder to cry on or ask for advice on services that could help them.

"Visiting the centre helps people gain confidence, make new friends and share their experiences with others, which can be really helpful.

"As well as offering a range of activities, trips and classes such as IT skills we have also recently set up a singing group for our members.
"I would encourage anyone with a mental health problem in the area to come along and see how we could help them."

Sessions at the Kirkby activity centre are held between 9am-1pm every Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

• For details about the Kirkby activity centre or if anyone would like to organise a charity event or make a donation to Central Notts MIND contact Girish Ravat on Mansfield 658044.


• Anybody interested in becoming a Central Notts MIND volunteer or trustee or who would like to organise a charity event or make a donation to Central Notts MIND should contact Girish Ravat on Mansfield 658044.