A MENTAL health charity based in Bournemouth has been able to provide vital training and support to the community after receiving more than £8,000 of funding.

The Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) was one of four charities to receive funds from the Mayor of Bournemouth’s charity appeal fund, during Cllr Eddie Coope’s mayoral year.

DMWS identified the importance of mental health support and used there valuable contribution of £8,777 to give back to the Bournemouth voluntary community.

The charity delivered a series of mental health first aid (MHFA) courses.

A range of two day youth, adult and half-day youth MHFA awareness courses were organised, training over 40 individuals with the support of Bournemouth Council for Voluntary Service.

The charity said this legacy work from the Mayor of Bournemouth’s charity appeal fund, will have a lasting impact for the community and helps to ensure that Mental Health First Aid is given the same priority as physical first aid.

Cllr Eddie Coope said: “We have had the privilege of working closely with the DMWS over the last couple of years’ fun raising in my mayoral year with some very enjoyable events. Some of the money raised in our year has enabled the DMWS over the past 12 months to organise training and courses in Mental Health First Aid locally, here in Bournemouth.

“These courses, which were attended by several charities and volunteers, have given feedback as to what good and informative courses they were and how they can now help people with mental health. By us all working together we can help in changing lives in some way.”

This week is ‘Mental Health Awareness Week’ and Cllr Coupe is continuing to support local mental health services by organising a charity rock concert, Bournemouth Rocks.

The event will be held on July 21 on St Peters School playing fields, with a range of live music before a closing firework spectacular.

For further information on the training courses available from DMWS visit www.dmws.org.uk/training