Check In Tribe: New mental health initiative launched in Hungerford

A HUNGERFORD couple have created a new project to improve people's mental health.

James and Emma Taylor have launched Check In Tribe with a website.

They have stated: "The vision we have for Check In Tribe is to create a safe space for anyone to attend, grab a cup of tea or coffee and, within a group, check in with themselves.

"It will be a chance to share their thoughts, their worries, their experiences, their knowledge and wisdom or just to take it all in and feel part of the Tribe.

"The group events will be an opportunity to share the tools we all use day to day to live our best lives and deal with the struggles that inevitably come our way."

Mr Taylor is a full time firefighter based at Hungerford, who also works at RAF Welford.

He said: "My passion for mental health formed as a result of learning of Emma's struggles with depression and anxiety and learning of close family members that have suffered throughout my upbringing into the present time.

"It's the run-up to Christmas, which is always a stressful time so we thought there was no time like the present to get this started."

Mrs Taylor, a network creator for academic institutions, said she was inspired to create the project because she has battled depression and anxiety which encouraged her to learn all she could about mental health.

She is also a mental health first aider at work.

Informal, monthly meetings in local coffee shops are planned.

Mr Taylor said: "We want to get people talking and sharing their own ideas and strategies for coping.

"It will be somewhere to come along and have a chat.

"It's something we're both passionate about."

At the top of the website front page is a ‘How Are You?’ tab.

The Taylors state: "This is a way to contact us with any question or queries.

"It is also a great way to get your thoughts and feelings down in writing, knowing we are on the other end reading with open arms.

"We are always happy to hear how others are getting on with their mental health, be it negative or positive, and if there is a way we can help then it would be our pleasure to do so."

If you are interested in getting involved, visit the website at www.checkintribe.com

There will also be an online blog, going forward.