Local charity MindSpace is inviting all Stamford and Rutland residents to drop by their Wellbeing Hub on 1 February to support national 'Time to Talk Day'. 

The premises at 39 Broad Street will be open between 10.30am and 3.30pm for anyone to drop in, have a cuppa and a chat with volunteers. 

MindSpace Lead Pip Tiffin says: "Talking about mental health isn't always easy and sometimes it's even harder to say how you really feel. But a good, meaningful conversation has the power to be a turning point in someone's life.

"We are running a drop-in day on 1 February because it's so important to have the chance to be honest about how you are feeling and help others to do the same. So many of the people who have come through our doors have benefited from being able to talk to our trained listeners while they are here, which can often take a huge weight off their shoulders."

According to The Mental Health Foundation's recent research, anxiety (one of the most commonly experienced mental health issues today) affected three quarters of the population, with 1 in 5 people feeling anxious all of the time. Over half of the young people surveyed said that their anxiety had prevented them from undertaking day to day activities.

The report also says that 45% of people kept their anxiety a secret and cites social isolation and loneliness as being a likely contributing factor to escalation of the condition. It recommends connecting with people and talking about how you are feeling as an important part of helping manage anxiety. 

One local resident James describes the difference that having somewhere to be honest about his mental health has meant to him: "I always feel better when I leave MindSpace than when I arrived. I've had a lot of ups and downs over the past year and I often need to talk to someone confidentially about how I'm feeling and what's going on. The listeners are brilliant and do exactly that and it's made such a difference, the volunteers and hosts always have time for me. Whenever I need to talk to someone or sound them out about decisions, there is always someone ready to listen."

For those who are unable to make it during the daytime, MindSpace will be continuing the 'Time to Talk' theme at their evening sessions: 

• After Work Connect at the Cornish Bakery in Stamford High Street from 5.30pm – 7pm 
• Family 'WarmSpace' with free hot meal at the Free Church on Kesteven Road between 4.30pm – 6.30pm 
• Night Light Café at the Wellbeing Hub, open from 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Organised by national charities Mind and Rethink Mental lllness, Time to Talk Day is described as 'a day for friends, families, communities and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change lives'. 

Read more information on Time to Talk Day here.

Article by The Mental Health Foundation can be found at Uncertain times: Anxiety in the UK and how to tackle it | Mental Health Foundation