A LOCAL charity helping Blacon residents look after their mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic has been given a welcome boost.

Platform for Life offers free counselling and play therapy for low-income families who would otherwise not be able to afford it.

It provides accessible and community-based support for adults, children and young people experiencing mental health issues, with sessions delivered both remotely and face-to-face.

With increased demand for mental health services during the pandemic, Avenue Services has awarded the charity funding to help it reach as many people as possible.

Chris Leicester, neighbourhood partnerships manager at Avenue Services, said: “In these challenging and uncertain times it’s really important that people are able to access support with their mental health.

“Platform for Life is providing an invaluable service and helping to make a real difference for local families, and we’re proud to be able to offer our support.”

Ceri George, CEO of Platform for Life, added: “More families than ever need help with mental health issues.

“The grant from Avenue Services is helping us to provide more counselling sessions and reach more local families in need of our support.”

Platform for Life is based at the Parade Enterprise Centre in Blacon and its services are available to families from Blacon, Lache and Kingsway/Newton who have a low income and are unable to afford private counselling.

For more information or to access support, call 07552 219806, email info@platformforlife.org.uk or visit the Platform for Life website.

Avenue Services, which is a not-for-profit organisation, is a joint venture between Sanctuary Group and Cheshire West and Chester Council.