Mental health charity calls for more volunteers

A Worcester woman who lost her son to suicide has pleaded for more people to help by volunteering with her charity.

Gaynor Pritchard set up Behind The Smile five years ago, in memory of 29-year-old Zac who died in 2018.

The charity helps plug a gap in NHS provision by running counselling classes, walks and get-together events for people who might be feeling low.

Ms Pritchard said she was struggling with the workload and needed more support to run the organisation.

Laurence Fox, from Bromyard, is one of those who has benefitted from attending sessions with Behind The Smile.

“It gets me out of the house and meeting fresh people, I’ve made a lot of friends here,” the 58-year-old said.

“I’ve learnt a lot of stuff here,” he added.

Ms Pritchard said her son, who was as a social worker, had struggled with poor mental health and this had inspired her to set up the charity in his memory.

“He couldn’t find any support and so, as he was always so busy helping others.

"We wanted to do something because we couldn’t see more people going through the same as what we had just experienced,” Ms Pritchard said.

She added it had been difficult trying to find volunteers to help.

“Most of our volunteers have come from just a bit of word of mouth.”

Laurence Fox said he made a lot of friends whilst taking part in Behind The Smile sessions

Sue Rodgers from Evesham is another of those who attends sessions with the charity.

“It’s been very important, it helps with improving mental health because you come, meet like-minded people, talk through problems together and most importantly give support to each other,” she said.

“We meet once a week but then that seeps into your life for the rest of your week.”

She said she had made some really good friends there, and husband Grant added that providing companionship was one of the biggest benefits the charity offered.

He said: “Most of these people have been through it all, and I know by bringing Sue here it puts her in a better frame of mind."