The charity's Sutton Support Centre, based at the Christian Fellowship, on High Pavement, offers a friendly and relaxed environment for people to gain advice and support, share their experiences or simply enjoy other people's company.

Both volunteers and current clients at the centre fully appreciate the challenges that people with mental health difficulties face and aim to help newcomers overcome their problems.

While clients are also supported at the charity's Mansfield and Kirkby centres, the Sutton Support Centre helps to ensure they receive guidance, encouragement and support with tackling problems.

Jacquie Gleghorn, project leader at Sutton, told Chad: "The centre has organised and implemented numerous activities and also worked on a one-to-one basis with individuals to meet goals, such as healthy eating courses, which the clients really enjoyed and found very interesting.

"Most important is that it is a place to go just to chat with other service users who have endured mental health issues.

"I find my job so worthwhile when you see the difference the group can make to people."

Phil, a service user at Sutton since 2006, told Chad the group has helped him to relieve his depression and get back to work by helping build his confidence.

Phil said he has also recently signed onto an IT course, which he could not have done without the support at the centre.

The Sutton centre meets between 9am-1pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.

•A special Hallowe'en event will be held between 12.30-2.30pm on Friday at Central Notts MIND's Mansfield activity centre on St John's Street. The afternoon's activities will include games, a raffle and fancy dress.

•From 7th November Central Notts MIND's Mansfield activity centre will be holding social afternoons. The afternoon will include refreshments and games from 1.30pm.

•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.