Mental health charity to extend reach with grant

A mental health charity is extending support for people living with depression and anxiety across North Tyneside following a four-figure funding boost.

The PeerTalk Charitable Foundation has received £2000 from the Banks Community Fund to help run its weekly peer support groups in North Shields and Whitley Bay for the next six months.

Held at the Linskill Centre and Big Local community hub respectively, the sessions provide a space for people to share experiences, develop coping strategies and build relationships, with up to ten people attending each meeting.

The funding will also support volunteer recruitment and training, alongside publicity in GP surgeries in Killingworth as the charity looks to reach more people across the area.

PeerTalk’s groups are led by trained volunteers, many of whom have personal or family experience of managing mental health issues, and are available to attendees for as long as they need them.

The charity says the sessions can complement NHS Talking Therapies by allowing people to support one another before, during and after treatment, while maintaining contact between meetings.

Reverend Stephen Normanton, chief executive at the PeerTalk Charitable Foundation, said: “Issues like depression, anxiety and stress are sadly all too common and we come into contact with a lot of people who are simply being overwhelmed by all the different issues they’re facing.

“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 and can hopefully find support, friendship, encouragement and new ways of coping that enable them to start rebuilding their lives.

“The testimonies of our attendees show the positive impact that the meetings have on their well-being and most especially how the connections they make with other people who are facing the same sorts of issues can show them that there are ways forward for them.

“Our North Shields and Whitley Bay meetings are doing just that, and we hope to be able to involve more local people who could benefit from the support available there.

“As an independent charity, funding is always a huge challenge for us, so receiving this sort of lump sum from the Banks Group is crucial in allowing us to plan into the future.”

Founded ten years ago, PeerTalk now runs 17 groups across the UK, including further North East sessions in South Shields and Gateshead.

Jamilah Hassan, community relations manager at the Banks Group, whose community funds are independently managed by Point North, 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.”

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