Pepper's - A Safe Place are hosting a raffle, cake sale, and plant stall at Oakham Market Place to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week next week.

Mental Health Awareness Week is a national event that is running from the 9th until the 15th of May 2022. The theme this year is loneliness, something that Pepper's works hard to combat through drop-in sessions and wellbeing activities.

Development Manager, Pippa Gorman, said: "Loneliness is something that I'm sure we have all struggled with, especially throughout the pandemic. But many live with it everyday. We want to bring the community together, with a shared, safe and welcoming space for all, to chat, socialise, have fun and be less alone."

Pepper's - A Safe Place have been open for three years, offering drop-in sessions for any adults struggling with their mental health or loneliness. They have recently opened a third 'Wellbeing and Social Evening" on Mondays and encourage anyone to go along.

Mental Health Awareness Week offers local groups, like Pepper's, and Mind Space in Stamford, the opportunity to raise awareness for what they do, for wider mental health challenges in the community and also to fundraise.

Pippa said: "Our sessions are open to all adults, you can take some time out in a relaxed environment, chat with others, have fun or just relax with a cup of tea."

They also run wellbeing activities, such as, gardening, Tai Chi and art workshops.

Pippa added: "We encourage anyone in the community to come and have a chat with us during our market stalls or to pop into one of our sessions during the week. Even if it's not for you, it may be that a friend or family member would benefit from that social, relaxed and safe space that Pepper's can provide."

Pepper's will be at Oakham Market Place on Wednesday the 11th and Saturday the 14th of May with cakes, plants and a raffle. You could win an Amazon Echo Show donated by TF Prestige, a £50 Cavells Voucher, a beautiful plant pot from Stone and Ivy Interiors, or a bottle of Rutland Gin with a matching Katie Cardew chopping board. There is also a Photography and Art Competition running.

To find out more, pop into their hub at 2A Oakham High Street, visit their website or follow them on social media @peppers.asafeplace.