A CAFÉ offering people the chance to talk about mental health challenges is looking for volunteers as it spreads into Musselburgh.
Keep The Heid Mental Health Café is partnering with East Lothian Foodbank to launch a new café session in Musselburgh, thanks to funding from Musselburgh Area Partnership.
The new service will provide a safe, welcoming space where “people can connect, share experiences and talk openly about the impact of mental health challenges”.
However, additional volunteers and facilitators are needed to help make the expansion possible.
Emma Jackson, founder of Keep The Heid, said: "We are looking to expand our team of facilitators and volunteers to keep our sessions running in Tranent and Haddington, as well as supporting the new session in Musselburgh."
The charity is keen to hear from facilitators with professional mental health experience and group-work skills, as well as volunteers with lived experience who can spare a couple of hours.
A full induction programme and access to mental health first aid training will be provided.
Volunteers do not need to commit every week and even helping once a month can make a real difference.
Sessions are likely to take place during the day in The Hollies.
Aimee Bryson, operations manager at East Lothian Foodbank, said: "Many people accessing support from the foodbank are also experiencing poor mental health, with financial hardship, isolation, anxiety and depression often closely linked."
Keep The Heid has been running mental health café sessions for five years.
Sessions take place at Tranent’s The Fraser Centre from 7pm to 9pm each Tuesday, as well as in Haddington’s Trinity Centre between the same times on a Friday.
Many attendees describe the service as a "lifeline", with some reporting that attending sessions has prevented them from making attempts on their lives.
Anyone interested in finding out more should email hello@keeptheheid.org or call 07548 136575.
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