A student nurse, who believes mental health support in her home town is lacking, has set up a new community run initiative to help bridge the gap between services.

Sophia Ahmed founded the Clitheroe-based volunteer-led peer support group, The Community Umbrella Project, along with other mental health nurses and art therapists, to provide support for those suffering from anything from depression to loneliness.

And to mark Time to Talk Day on February 6, Miss Ahmed will be running an event and raising awareness for the mental health charity, Mind.

The final year mental health student nurse who also works at Kemple View mental health facility as a support worker, said: "We’re holding the event at Clitheroe Tesco on Thursday between 11am and 4pm, and we'll be giving out resources and taking donations for local mental health charities.

"Activities include a pledge wall, and cups of tea to encourage conversation between people about mental health stigma.

"We’ll be giving out leaflets and information about a new community run mental health initiative which is a peer support group run by myself and additional volunteers.

"It’ll hopefully bridge the gap between the community and extremely sparse services in the area.

"There’s not been much support for mental health in Clitheroe so hopefully this event will get the conversation started."

Time to Talk day is a day when everyone is encouraged to have a conversation about mental health.

Too many people with mental health problems feel isolated, worthless and ashamed but having conversations about mental health can break down barriers, improve relationships, aid recovery and take the stigma out of something that affects us all.

More information on Time to Talk Day and where your nearest event is being held can be found at time-to-change.org.uk/get-involved/time-talk-day.