Talgarth Market saw the launch of a special project to promote Rural Mental Health Awareness.

The project which launched last Friday, organised under the auspices of Powys Agri Wellbeing Support (PAWS) Group, facilitated by PAVO, brings together a range of local mental health support networks.

Last Autumn, Kate Miles of the DPJ Foundation submitted a bid to the Small Health Grants Fund on behalf of the group and secured funding for 396 attractive mugs, with logos and contact details of a range of Mental Health Charities displayed.

The mugs
The mugs (Louise Elston-Reeves.)

All are intended for distribution at Market Cafés, which provide such an important backdrop for farmers to catch up - ever more important in these turbulent times.

Lynne Williams, who runs Chatterbox Café at Talgarth Market, said: ”I am proud and delighted to support such a good cause at Chatterbox Café, here at Talgarth Market. It’s reassuring to know that the rural communuty has such great support from charities such as the DJP Foundation, RABI and many others. I think this is a great idea.”

Local farmer’s wife and longstanding County Chair of RABI, Elaine Stephens, added: “Our farming communities are facing increasingly complex challenges and pressures. In this context, RABI, as part of the PAWS network, has a strong track record and a crucial rôle to play, now and in the future, to support the wellbeing of farming people.”

The group
(Louise Elston-Reeves.)

Talgarth County Councillor William Powell, a PAVO Trustee and Regional Champion of the DPJ Foundation, said: “We’ve had a fantastic welcome here at Talgarth Market this morning, from Lynne, from Matthew Nicholls and his colleagues and from local farmers.

“These are challenging times for everyone, especially here in our rural communities. As Lynne has said, it’s vital that everyone knows that, when it’s needed, help and support are on hand.”

The full schedule of Mental Health Mug presentations, which so far visited Talgarth, Welshpool, Brecon, Rhayader Livestock Market, and Builth Wells, wil be at Knighton on Thursday, April 21, at 10.15am and Talybont-on-Usk (including Sennybridge) on Tuesday, May 12.