An organisation in Workington is launching a new free mental health service for young people and adults.

Together We Talk will launch a free 0800 number for people who need mental health support.

It will be available to anyone aged over 11 from April 1.

Janine Ward, director at the community interest company Together We, said: “It will enable people that need it, support that is free to access.

“The number is free to call and after the initial contact you can access all the other services.”

Normally face-to-face meetings would follow the initial phone call, however due to the coronavirus outbreak, those would take place over the phone or video messaging services.

Janine said: “We’ll be offering one-to one sessions and those will be tailored to the needs of each person.

“Anyone with a physical or mental health problem, ranging from low level to severe, can contact us.

“There are a lot of children and young people that have mild symptoms, but they get worse because they can’t access the support they need when they need it and we’re available to give them that.

“It could be as simple as people wanting someone to check-in with them once a week to see how they’re doing.

“We do whatever works best for the person as the help we provide is tailored to them.”

The sessions are offered free of charge and Together We Talk works with other agencies and the NHS to ensure they are providing the services that are most needed.

The organisation also offers fitness sessions and people who may benefit from them will be able to access them at a low cost from its Reedlands Road base.

Fitness sessions are currently available online after the Government issued new guidelines in light of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Janine said: “We have incredibly vulnerable people who access our services and we couldn’t risk them coming into the gym. We don’t want to risk anybody’s health, but luckily for the time being we can support them on the phone or online, there are lots of different ways to engage.”

Together We Talk is delivered thanks to a £100,000 grant from United Utilities, Sellafield Ltd and Cumbria Community Foundation.

Part of the cash comes from a pot of money that had been allocated to Mind In West Cumbria, which closed last year.

For more information visit the website www.togetherwe.co.uk