Hoping to make a difference

Buy photos » Make A Difference founders Chloe Laight, 16, and Scott Penlington, 18, with Coun Rebecca Blake. Picture by Marcus Mingins 5012014MMR.

CAMPAIGNERS hoping to raise awareness of mental health problems will be taking to the streets this weekend in a bid to highlight the issue.

The Make A Difference group, set-up this summer to campaign for the caging of a bridge over the Bromsgrove Highway as well as remove the stigma around mental health, will be based on Church Green on Saturday and Sunday (December 15 and 16) between 10am and 4pm.

As well as giving out information to shoppers about the group, they will also be aiming to help others at a particularly poignant time of year by sharing information about organisations such as Samaritans which may be able to help those in need.

A spokeswoman for the group said: "We know the approach to Christmas can be a particularly tough time for residents and we want to ensure as many people as possible realise there is help out there.

"There are organisations who are able to give advice and information or just be a listening ear for those feeling vulnerable during the festive period or at any time through the year.

"We also hope shoppers will stop to support our petition to cage the Bromsgrove Highway bridge, which will be handed in to Worcestershire County Council in the new year."

Coun Rebecca Blake, who co-ordinated the event, added: "As well as the main aim of the Make a Difference group to get the bridge caged, the group also want to try to tackle some of the underlying issues for people who are feeling at their wits' end.

"The group know Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for some people and we want them to know there is support out there to help them or someone they are worried about."

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