CASH from kind-hearted Keighley diners will help WRAP up support for people with mental health problems.

Participants in the first Keighley Soup event voted to donate proceeds to the town’s new Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) group.

The £155 grant will enable a town resident, who himself has mental health issues, to provide more such groups in the local area.

Keighley Soup, based on a successful American movement, brought together 31 people interested in helping good causes.

They were each given a bowl of soup in return for their £5 entry fee, and the money went into one pot to be donated to one charitable project.

Four people gave a ‘pitch’ about their particular project or idea, and everyone attending the event at Central Hall was able to to choose their favourite.

Keighley Soup also allowed people to network, talking about their own voluntary projects, recruiting volunteers and sharing good ideas.

Central Hall manager and Keighley Soup organiser, Julie Lintern, said the evening was “extremely positive and uplifting”.

She added: “Community spirit can be intoxicating.

"Four extremely worthy causes gave a pitch explaining their project.”

Julie said a man spoke about his own experiences with the mental health service due to issues he faced growing up.

She added: “During this time, it was apparent that although professional help was available throughout the district, peer support in the Airedale area was really lacking.

“He puts his path to better mental wellbeing down to attending a Wellness Recovery Action Plan group. He is now a WRAP leader, and although his battle with his good mental wellbeing remains, he feels supported and continues to support others.

“He aims to start more WRAP groups up at times to suit more people, acknowledging that those who attend the current group feel supported due to not being in work. As their wellbeing improves and life resumes, that support is removed due to time constraints."

Other pitches concerned a planned event to celebrate Older People’s Week, training for people to cook healthy food and a proposed ‘guerrilla gardening’ volunteer group to make green areas around Keighley look appealing.

Keighley Soup, organised by Keighley and Ilkley Voluntary and Community Action, will be a quarterly event. Julie is now looking for businesses to provide donations or sponsorship to enable the grant pot to grow.

She can be contacted on 01535 612500 for further information.

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