WESTMORLAND MP MEETS WITH NEW MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE IN TEBAY

This week, Westmorland MP Tim Farron met with the organisers of the new 'Growing Well' site at Tebay Services whose aim is to improve people's mental health via therapeutic gardening.

The site, situated on the Northbound side of Tebay Services, has been a collaboration between the Westmorland family - owners of Tebay services - mental health charity Growing Well, and the National Lottery Fund.

The project will help around 100 people a year by giving them volunteer time in the gardens. The gardens will then sell any fresh vegetables grown by the volunteers back to the kitchens in Tebay services. This will support the charity's running costs in addition to the funding they have received from the National Lottery and Westmorland family.

The site will be staffed by experienced gardeners and mental health support staff with referrals coming from GPs and other health services to build volunteer's confidence and help them achieve whatever personal goals they may have.

As a long-time campaigner for improved rural mental health services, Tim was delighted to attend the site this week and view the work already being carried out. Speaking after the visit Tim said: "I am really impressed with all the effort that has been put in by Growing Well to get this site up and running.

"Mental health support is suffering across the country and in particular, in rural areas.

"I am so grateful to Growing Well and the Westmorland family for this initiative. It will do a lot of good in improving the lives of people in Cumbria."