Covid-19 jabs boost mental health services

17 February 2021

A Leicestershire and Rutland charity will be able to support more people with mental health conditions this month after its team of advocates received their Covid-19 jabs.

Lamp (Leicestershire Action for Mental Health Project) provides free community mental health advocacy, advising people with conditions such as depression and anxiety on how to access health services. The Leicester-based charity also supports carers of those with mental health conditions.

However, lock-down controls to manage the risks of transmitting the coronavirus had put on hold face-to-face, socially distanced meetings between advocates and their clients at the charity’s Regent Road premises.

It has meant a restricted service at a difficult time for many who are struggling to cope with the impact of the pandemic.

Lamp CEO Sue Langley said: “All of our advocacy team have now had their jabs and will be able to come into the office and have one-to-one meetings with clients who want to have advocacy support.

“I think it’s giving people that extra support that a face-to-face meeting provides, at a time when they are struggling to cope. It’s really important to us that we’re aware of the needs of the people we’re here to support, and not everyone can access online services or are comfortable with them.”

For more information about Lamp’s advocacy services, call the helpline on 0116 255 6286, and select ‘Advocacy’ where a referral will be taken. Lines are open between 10am – 4pm, Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can fill in an online self-referral form or refer on behalf of someone else by clicking here.

Media contact Tim Walsh, 07523 550339