ST Helens MIND is a caring local charity for people suffering mental distress, an affliction that affects one in four people at some point in their lives most commonly in the form of depression, anxiety or stress.

Based in College Street and opened in 1995, St Helens MIND provides confidential support, advice and guidance to improve people's mental health whilst also providing an opportunity for meeting other people, and recently secured a Lottery grant to improve their services still further.

The grant has enabled the St Helens branch to appoint a new centre manager, Patricia Martinez-Williams, who has experience of working with the council in education, social services, health and mental health.

Martin Griffin, chairman of St Helens MIND, said: "We are delighted about the successful Lottery bid and we believe that Patricia Martinez-Williams will now help to move the organisation forward."

Patricia works with volunteers to provide information and caring support for people who need help in times of crisis.

Whether due to illness, debt, housing, problems with benefits, work related issues, family problems, isolation, drug or alcohol dependency, relationship problems, domestic violence or homelessness, MIND believe 'a trouble shared is a trouble halved'.

For many people, having mental health problems makes it very difficult to find work, a place to live, and be accepted by friends and neighbours at a time when they need the support most.

Martin Griffin added: "So many people suffer from mental health problems and St Helens MIND plays a crucial part in campaigning, empowering service users and providing support and meaningful opportunities."

By encouraging volunteers to get involved in events, days out and social groups St Helens MIND continue to work towards creating a better life for those experiencing mental distress and a 'befriending' scheme aimed at reducing isolation is also in the pipeline.

l St Helens MIND are currently seeking volunteers with administrative skills or an interest in the proposed 'befriending' scheme and if you are interested please contact Patricia Martinez-Williams via e-mail on sthelmind@yahoo.com or on 01744 601204 between 9.30am and 2.30pm.