A new mental health hub has opened its doors for those struggling to get support due to NHS waiting times.

Located along Dorset Road in Sheerness, Ryan Thompson, who runs Men-Talk.UK, Cathryn Goatham, a registered and qualified counsellor, Rowland Smillie, who runs Kent Training Services and Victoria Davies, who runs Women-Talk.UK, have joined together to create a safe and accessible space for people to get counselling at an affordable cost.

Speaking on behalf of The Head Health Hub, Cathryn, who runs Empathia Counselling, said: “We have been driven as a group due to our own personal experiences and hearing reports and about others struggling to get help for their mental health locally due to NHS waiting lists.

“As a team, we personally understand how much effort it can take for a person to reach out when they are battling their mental health.”

Cathryn, 44, explained the team's main motivation came after hearing about suicides, mainly of men, on the Island.

She continued: “We know this particular group of people has a really hard time feeling comfortable talking about their mental health.

“We are aware of the high rates of suicide within the male population in particular and have personally been affected by this loss ourselves within our team. We decided collectively that it’s time for a change and to do something about this and help contribute to the services provided in Swale by opening up The Head Health Hub.”

As well as counselling, the hub will also be hosting separate men’s and women’s talking groups, which are currently hosted in separate places in Sheerness by Men-Talk.UK and Women-Talk.UK.

These sessions will now take place in the Head Health Hub on a weekly/bi-weekly basis.

The hub had its official opening day on Saturday, August 19 and officially opened on Monday, August 21.

Cathryn added: “We want the Hub to be a place where people can come for a one-off offload with one of the team if counselling or groups feels too daunting for them.

For more information or to book a session visit the Head Health Hub Facebook page.