Young people and parents will be able to attend workshops aimed at raising awareness and increasing understanding about mental health issues.

Funding has been provided to run a series of mental health workshops in Sidmouth to give support and raise awareness for young people and their families.

Sidmouth Town Council successfully secured parishes together funding for the workshops, which have been co-ordinated by Aaron Clark, from EDDC’s community development service, and Debbie Humberstone of The Project.

The Axminster charity supports young people to raise awareness and increase understand around the issues and challenges surrounding mental health and will open its third support group in Ottery in the spring.

The workshops start tomorrow (January 25) from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Manstone Youth Centre for youngsters who use the service.

Further workshops will be held in February and March for parents who may have children suffering with mental health issues and in May for Sidmouth College students. No booking is required.

Debbie Humberstone, founder and co-ordinator of The Project, said: “I’m really happy to be delivering these workshops in collaboration with East Devon District Council – an important part of helping to support our young people is to raise awareness, increase understanding and challenge the stigma that surrounds mental illness, making it easier for people to speak up and ask for help if they need it. It’s fantastic to see Sidmouth Town Council supporting this work, too.

She added the workshops were a ‘great first step’ to operating a group in Sidmouth if it could get support and funding.

Councillor Matt Booth, ward member for Sidmouth, said the issue had been highlighted at the town’s health and care forum spurring members to begin work to address young peoples’ mental health.

He said: “It is well known to be a national crisis. It took time to begin to get some results, but thanks to a successful Parishes Together fund bid achieved through Sidmouth Town Council and the hard work of community development worker Aaron Clark, plus a partnership with the Project, we are now beginning to run events and get some real results such as the event run recently for professionals at Sidmouth College.”

The sessions will take place;

February 1, 5pm to 7pm at YMCA Sidmouth, Mill Street, Sidmouth

March 1, 5pm to 7pm at YMCA Sidmouth

May 22– two separate two hour workshops at Sidmouth College for Sixth Form students only.

For more information about the workshops contact: Aaron Clark on 07875286782 or email: aclark@eastdevon.gov.uk.