MORE than a year has passed since Cherries fans have filled the stands at Vitality Stadium.

The opportunity to make the most of the togetherness attending a match can bring has been sorely missed.

For many it provides a crucial release from the rigours of daily life.

While supporters have watched Cherries in action from their sofas, the vital work of a fan-led mental health initiative has gone from strength to strength – arguably when it has been needed more than ever.

Talking Cherries was set up by fans for fans and has provided a listening ear to many people since it was founded by Simon Kay.

Simon told the Daily Echo: “Scratch beneath the surface at the club and you’ll find a wonderful fan community at AFC Bournemouth.

“There are so many amazing people and I’m proud to be part of it.

“Talking Cherries is but one part of an evolving community that’s there to enable a conversation around mental health to start whenever you need it with the Cherries always at the heart of it. “

Simon decided to get to work on a mental health initiative when he saw the outpouring of emotions from the fanbase after lifelong support Peter Humphrey passed away following a continuous battle with his mental health.

Using the joint interest in Cherries, Simon started discussing with others about the idea and this led to the formation of Talking Cherries.

Now, with a team of around 20 fans, including six mental health first aiders, the initiative offers a wide range of support, including signposting services and regular ‘Team Talk’ sessions, currently held online, for fans to get involved and help tackle the silence around mental health.

Supporter Tom Jordan, who is part of the Talking Cherries Team, said the initiative gives people the chance to openly discuss mental health through a mutual love of Cherries.

Tom, a support worker who has diagnosed bipolar disorder, said: “You go to the football and you talk to people about everything when you don’t even really know the person.

“It is just taking it a little step further and being open and honest about the fact you are not doing very well.

“Football does feel like a release for me and it is more important for your mental health than you release. Not being able to go has been tough.”

He added: “Talking about mental health is definitely getting better and it is just going step by step to take it that little bit further so that we make it ‘normal’ to talk about how you are feeling.

“If you have broken your leg you are not going to hide it.

“It is about being honest and saying I am not doing too well at the moment, okay, why do you think that is and let’s have a chat about it, look at what things we can potential help with and there’s a lot of places we can signpost to.”

To find out more about the support offered by Talking Cherries, which works in partnership with Bournemouth University and AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust, visit talkingcherries.org.uk.