More of the team at Dawlish’s Roots Community Enhancement service have passed their “first aid for mental health” training.

It means more than 70% of the team involved with running services are now certified to help identify people in crisis, engage in active listening and safely signpost for support. 

The services include a toddler group, a baby group, an anxiety cafe, bereavement support, a carers club and a feeding support group. 

Director Rosie Dawson said: “It’s so important that we are ready to identify and support those who are struggling with their mental health. One in four people in the UK experience poor mental well-being, so with that in mind it’s important to equip our team with the skills and confidence needed”.

Shooters sports bar donated its bar area for the training, which was provided by Big Results Training, based in Dawlish.

One participant reflected: “I feel much more confident now to pick up on signs that someone may need to talk and how to approach it”.

Roots is in its sixth year of operating in the coastal area and is currently without core funding after a lottery grant finished earlier in the year.