Teesside mental health charity expanding its peer support services
Red Balloons in Stockton say it's in great demand
A mental health support charity in Teesside are expanding its peer support services into North Yorkshire.
Red Balloons, which is based in Stockton, is holding 'walk and talk' sessions in Northallerton and Richmond.
Leigh Trimble, chief executive, said: "It's a group that people can just turn up at. There's no assessment needed and the only criteria we have is that they are over 18 and they need some support with their mental health. There are walk leaders there who are trained and have their own lived experiences.
"They're not asked a series of questions when they get there. If they just want to come along and walk with some company, that's fine. They'll be welcomed by the walk leaders and the rest of the group and they can just walk, but some people want to talk about what's happening for them and that's absolutely fine.
"People can come along and use those groups for whatever they actually want for a little bit of companionship, a little bit of a chat or they can talk about how they're feeling and we can support them with that."