FUNDING has been granted for workshops to help young people in and around Malmesbury tackle their anxiety, stress and depression.

A total of £3,380 was pledged by Malmesbury Area Board recently which will help fund the events run by Mind Reset.

The workshops ran successfully last year and gave more than 20 youngsters an opportunity to learn how to deal with mental issues.

This year they will once again provide a safe place for people to discuss their problems and some workshops will specifically relate to how to handle and conquer exam stress.

Denise Little, a trained psychotherapist with 20 years of experience in the area, runs Mind Reset.

She said stress and anxiety are becoming an “increasing problem” for young people.

“The amount of pressure on them is so great now, it’s becoming more prevalent,” she said.

“People are more aware of it now. Before people used to just say ‘get a grip’.

“It’s good Malmesbury realises young people need that help.

“It’s important young people have that opportunity to get access to help.”

Community engagement manager for the Malmesbury area at Wiltshire Council, Ollie Phipps, said: “A survey conducted with over 850 teenagers in 2014 highlighted a need for support with stress, anxiety and pressures that our younger generation face.

“The Local Youth Network Management Group (LYNMG) are committed to supporting the needs of these young people and have funded previously successful workshops with Denise Little which offer group work sessions and self-help tools.

“Due to the positive impact these sessions have had and the ongoing need the LYNMG supported by Malmesbury Area Board have funded further workshops for Spring 2017.”

The free workshops will run from December through until February and any young people living in Malmesbury and surrounding areas who want to take part can do.

A number of one-on-one workshops are also on offer.

To sign up for one of the workshops or to learn more about Mind Reset, visit mindreset.co.uk or call Denise on 07854 031523.