Mayor delivers a Simple Thank You to Mind's Wellbeing Hub

Cllr Tom Mahoney visited the hub in Cromwell Road after choosing to support Coventry and Warwickshire Mind during his Mayoral year.

The Rugby Wellbeing Hub offers drop-in sessions, workshops and one-to-one support for people experiencing mental health problems.

In addition to signposting clients to specialist services, the hub, one of seven across Warwickshire, encourages social interaction and has a cafe and lounge for clients.

Clients can also read self-help books from the hub's Books on Prescription library, covering subjects such as depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and low self-esteem. The books, together with CDs, can also be borrowed from Rugby Library.

During his visit, Cllr Mahoney talked to staff, volunteers and clients, and was taken on a tour of the hub's edible garden, where clients grow a wide range of fruit, vegetables and herbs.

Research has shown gardening can help combat depression and anxiety, with doctors in the London borough of Lambeth setting up a network of food-growing gardens and prescribing gardening to patients.

And after the hub's edible garden was initially launched as a 12 week project supported by staff, three years on, it still thrives under the care of clients.

At the end of his visit, Cllr Mahoney presented the hub with a Simple Thank You certificate - part of his campaign to highlight the work of individuals and organisations who serve Rugby's communities.

"Approximately one in four people in the UK experience mental health problems every year, yet there's still a stigma when it comes to talking about it," Cllr Mahoney said.

"For anyone experiencing problems or struggling to cope, the first step is to talk to someone, but it can often be a daunting step to take.

"The Wellbeing Hub's informal and welcoming atmosphere, together with the friendly and supportive team of staff and volunteers, make taking that first step a little less daunting."

For more information about the Rugby Wellbeing Hub, visit www.cwmind.org.uk/wbw 

Information on mental health support services in Warwickshire, available online, by telephone and face-to-face, can be found at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/mentalhealth 

Photo caption: The Mayor of Rugby, Cllr Tom Mahoney, presents a Simple Thank You to peer supporters and volunteers at Coventry and Warwickshire Mind's Rugby Wellbeing Hub.