A Mental Health Café, which opened in Oakham in July 2023, has secured funding for a further two years, promising "exciting changes" for the team and users of the scheme.

Pepper's- A Safe Place, a local mental health and wellbeing charity, teamed up with the NHS to run a Mental Health Café in Rutland's county town last summer to host the new café every Thursday and Sunday.

This group is open to all who are aged 18 and over, and no referral is needed. Residents can just come along and find out how they can make the most of this free service, including one-to-one listening and helping clients develop future support plans.

Now, the team have announced "exciting changes" after securing a further two years of funding.

The team currently runs two session in Oakham, but are looking to increase the reach that the 1:2:1 mental health service has.

"With that in mind," Development Manager Pippa Gorman explained, "we are expanding into Uppingham!"

As such, the team will be running reduced opening hours throughout April while they recruit new staff, running only on Thursdays from 5:30 - 8:30pm in Oakham.

Pippa added: "From May we will open a second session every Friday 1-3pm at Uppingham Town Hall, offering locals different locations and options between day and night appointments. We will be in touch very soon with the official launch date and new information."

The last Sunday session took place on 31 March. Pepper's wellbeing sessions will not be affected by these changes.

Pepper's- A Safe Place support multiple projects across Rutland. Image credit: Pepper's- A Safe Place.

Residents may still attend the Thursday sessions until the new Uppingham café is up and running.

Pippa said: "For anyone struggling with their mental health and needing immediate support, please come along. We provide a welcoming drop-in centre for anyone to come and talk, have a cup of tea or coffee in a relaxed and safe space."

Experienced listeners will be on hand and transport options are available to those who need it, making the sessions accessible to residents across Rutland.

This project is funded by the NHS and hosted by Pepper's- A Safe Place.

Find the Neighbourhood Mental Health Café at:

Pepper's- A Safe Place

2aHigh Street

Oakham

LE15 6AL

This is also where Pepper's- A Safe Space runs a monthly events schedule to target loneliness, teach life skills and work with the community to improve the mental health of Rutland's residents.