Local MP Robbie Moore has met with Silsden resident and founder of the nation-wide peer support charity PeerTalk, Stephen Normanton, in Parliament this week.
Established in recognition of a perceived need for community based support for those living with depression, anxiety and other forms of psychological distress, PeerTalk hosts weekly volunteer-led peer support groups for individuals suffering from mental health issues.
The first PeerTalk group meetings commenced in March 2017 in Bradford and Preston, rapidly expanding to establish 16 groups across the UK and training 350 PeerTalk volunteers.
Mr Normanton’s vision is to establish a national network of support groups in every constituency area in the United Kingdom, which is roughly one group per 65 000 electorate.
In a meeting with Keighley and Ilkley’s MP Robbie Moore, the pair discussed ways in which the government could support the charity in line with the group’s national agenda, with Mr Moore giving the organisation his full backing.
Robbie Moore MP said:
“It was a pleasure to host Silsden resident Stephen in Parliament to learn more about this fantastic charity and explore ways in which the government can help PeerTalk grow.
Providing people across Keighley and Ilkley and indeed the entire United Kingdom with access to a range of tailored support for mental health issues like depression and anxiety is paramount, and PeerTalk does just that.
I look forward to working with Stephen to help his charity expand into supporting people struggling with a range of social issues such as infant death, living with cancer and similar diseases, partners of those who have had a stroke, parenting skills and many other possibilities.”
