Support group to stay open following forced closure (From Watford Observer)

Support group in Abbots Langley to stay open following forced closure

11:20am Thursday 7th February 2013 in News By Rebecca Perring, Reporter

An Abbots Langley mental health support group is delighted to have kept its doors open after it was forced to close by the Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT).

Two years later, members of the mental health support group still manage to meet every Friday at the Baptist Church in School Mead, despite losing their group facilitator in February 2011.

The group closed after the facilitator, contracted by the HPFT to moderate proceedings, "suddenly departed."

However the group, encouraged to discuss any issues or problems, vowed to keep its doors open and still continue to run successfully, after agreeing to meet by themselves.

Richard Westwood, a member of the group said: "We have proved many people wrong because a lot of people had said it wouldn’t work.

"Two years later we are still here. It hasn’t been easy but we have managed to carry on because it was important to keep on going and keep people on an even keel.

"It is a successful group and it is great to have somewhere for members to go, which is nearby."

Volunteers continue to run the services at the church every Friday between 10:30am and 11:30am.

The support group currently has 10 members and is inviting new members to join. For more information or to join contact abbots.group@aol.co.uk.