OKEHAMPTON Town Council has donated £200 to a support group for people affected by mental health problems in Okehampton.

Mayor Cllr the Rev Mike Davies and Cllr Jan Goffey presented a cheque for £200 to Laura Delamar and Sherrill Malik from Rethink Mental Illness to support the SAMS Support Group. The money is from the council's grant aid fund, which is spent throughout the year to support organisations and charities benefitting the community.

The SAMS weekly group provides a space for people who have a mental illness and their carers, to share their experiences and get information on a wide range of issues. The donation from the council will help to buy craft supplies for the group, which often holds art activities.

Rethink Mental Illness has run services and support groups to change people's lives and challenge attitudes about mental illness for 40 years. They directly support almost 60,000 people a year across England to help them through crises, live independently and realise they are not alone.

SAMS is held every Wednesday from 12.30pm to 2.30pm in Okehampton Baptist Church. The group is open access, so if you feel the group could benefit you, feel free to turn up to any of the sessions.

For more details e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]