Doncaster mental health group gets free counselling sessions

Since You Are Not Alone was set up by Lee Thompson, the group has gone from strength to strength and now boasts almost 7,000 members. He and the six other volunteers who run the group have been “overwhelmed” by messages of support and offers of help in the last fortnight.

The builder from Balby was compelled to set up the group after somebody he knew took his own life. He also wanted to help support people experiencing delays in seeking professional help.

Now they have been boosted by offers of assistance from professional counsellors, including staff at St Catherine’s Hospital in the town. The first sessions begun this week.

He and the other group administrators will also be given mental health training to help them in their roles. And Lee has been invited to Doncaster college to share his own experiences with students following the success of the group.

As well as the counselling sessions, local businesses have provided free giveaways to act as ‘little lifts’ for members.

“I’m in love with what’s going on,” Lee said.

“We are making huge, huge progress in such a short space of time.”

Doncaster civic mayor – councillor Linda Curran – has also thrown her support behind You Are Not Alone.

Lee said: “She feels so strongly about it.”

Cllr Curran was present at the group’s first breakfast club meet-up on Wednesday (11 March), which was attended by nearly 50 people.

“She came down to support us and say what a fantastic idea it is,” Lee said.

“She’s making progress with the council to help to strengthen us a lot more.”

A meet-up in Doncaster’s Elmfield Park on Sunday (8 March) also attracted around 40 people.

Lee said: “It was brilliant. The kids were all playing and it gave the parents a chance to have a chat.

“One man even drove down from Leeds to come.”

Lee also revealed the group are in talks with a potential sponsor to fund more activity.