A MENTAL HEALTH support group has moved itself to a bigger premises to continue to support those in need.

Bolton's Mental Health Independent Support Team (MiHST) has moved its self-help group sessions to Moorland House in Bolton town centre.

The team have moved to these larger premises in order to account for social distancing measures to allow the meetings to take place.

During lockdown the self-help group has been running virtually, which the manager of MiHST Dr Melvin Bradley, says hasn't been offering the same service as face to face.

He said: "Because of Covid the whole self-help group has been running virtually which isn't fabulous.

"However, we were lucky enough to come across Moorland House about 10 weeks ago.

"The building is pretty huge and it is perfect for what we are needing to be doing in running groups in a socially distanced way.

"Now people can come into the building, sign in, wash their hands, walk around with a face covering and take them off when sat down, to make sure the group can operate in a Covid safe way.

"Things are moving along quite quickly at the moment so we are almost back to full capacity."

Dr Bradley added that the groups are not completely back to normal, with people unable to simply turn up to meetings, but that it is heading in the right direction.

He also said it was "absolutely critical" that these meetings were back up and running again.

He said: "It's really good that people can come back and see people in person.

"We saw a big increase in people contacting us in the first wave with referrals pretty much doubling.

"People were worried about losing their jobs and so much else during Covid, it's been a particularly tough time so we're really pleased to be back for people."

Christine Makinson, the self-help group manager, said MiHST were resuming many more meetings with now they had the new facilities.

She said: "We had over nine Whatsapp groups trying to replicate the support groups over lockdown, we carried on working right the way through.

"This generated over 80 new members who are now able to come to the meetings in person.

"People really were getting to the end of their tether over lockdown. A lot of our members live alone so having to isolate has been really tough on a lot of people.

"We're also going to be setting up a new group with the DWP for those who have lost their jobs or their mental health is being affected with worrying about losing their jobs.

"Opening up in these new, really nice premises is a really positive thing."

For more information about what support is available, visit mhist.co.uk, or call on 01204 527200.