A Mental Health Café is open in Oakham, and the team are 'driven' to make the space as accessible as possible to those across the county.

Pepper's- A Safe Place, a local mental health organisation with hubs in Oakham and Melton Mowbray, works with the local community to combat loneliness and to target and improve mental health.

The centre added another string to its bow this month upon teaming up with the NHS to run a Mental Health Café in Rutland's county town.

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

This new group is open to all who are aged 18 and over, and no referral is needed - simply come along and find out how you can make the most of this free service.

The café will offer one-to-one listening and help clients develop future support plans and runs as a free, drop in service, with no booking necessary.

The official Mental Health Café launched on 20 July 2023, and is scheduled to take place every Thursday and Sunday going forward.

The Thursday sessions will take place from 5.30pm until 8.30pm, and the Sunday sessions will take place from 4pm until 7pm.

Now, residents can make the most of free transport to access the regular sessions, making the hub a space open and available to residents in need across the county.

Have you attended or supported Pepper's- A Safe Space? Image credit: Pepper's- A Safe Space.

A spokesperson for the group 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.

Call 07955 344126 or email [email protected] to get more information.

Find out more about neighbourhood cafes going on across Rutland and Leicestershire online.

A fun-loving group of gamers meet every Wednesday, 7:30 - 10:30pm. Image credit: Oakham Board Game and Roleplaying Club.

Alternatively, read about a gaming group based a Pepper's that is raising money to support the charity.