A voluntary mental health organisation in the Blackwood area has received funding of nearly £10,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.
Support For Action @ Chartist was set up in July last year, and its mental health support group – called Chartist Help 4 All Mental Peer Support (CHAMPS) – has now received a grant of £9,650.
The grant will help run sessions that support people with mental health issues by providing peer mentoring and engaging social activities.
CHAMPS run numerous sessions each week at Elim Baptist Church in Pontllanfraith to support people experiencing mental health problems. As well as mentoring sessions, it also provide activities such as arts and crafts, knitting, nature walks and ten pin bowling.
Lyn Rees-Williams, coordinator at CHAMPS, welcomed the grant said: “The best thing about receiving this grant is the ability to show our community that mental health is something we can all support and get involved with.”
Donna Box, Chairperson of Support 4 Action @ Chartist said: “We are really grateful for the support we have received from various agencies as well as the help and advice we’ve had from Mind, Gofal, the Samaritans and other mental health professionals. As a group, we are determined to achieve our two goals of improved safety features on Chartist Bridge and long-term support in the area for people struggling with mental health problems.”
The group, which is hoping to attain charity-status in the future, has a place on Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Multi Agency Group as part of its campaign to improve safety on the bridge.
CHAMPS meets every third Saturday of the month from 10.30am-12.30pm at Elim Baptist Church Hall, Newbridge Road, Pontllanfraith NP12 2LB. It also hosts a craft group every Monday evening from 6pm to 8pm at the church hall, thanks to the support of Reverend Sue Phillips.
Anyone who has been affected by mental health problems can contact Samaritans at any time on 116 123.