A debt advice centre has set up a counselling and mental health service in one of Nottingham’s most deprived communities.
The “Money Minded” project will offer professional help for conditions including anxiety and depression at the St Ann’s Advice Centre.
More than 300 people queue for food and fuel vouchers at the centre each week.
Organisers say more than three-quarters of their clients are also struggling with their mental health.
Debbie Webster, who runs the organisation, based at Chase Neighbourhood Centre, said people were breaking down in tears because they cannot make ends meet, but many are reluctant to seek support.
She added: “A lot of the clients we see, 75-80%, have got poor mental health, depression, anxiety, stress. Just having to live day-to-day, to survive day-to-day. So this new project we can make direct referrals to get them mental health support.
“We now ask on reception if they’re OK and need some support. We normalise it and say it’s OK to be struggling.
“If you’re in a lot debt and keeping the bailiffs at bay, threatening to lose your house, you’re not going to be in a very well state mentally. It’s about being able to offer local people a whole variety of support, which helps them move from a place of crisis.”
The centre, which has been handing out food parcels for several years, believes delays in new Universal Credit payments are driving many of its clients into debt.
In a recent incident reported by BBC News, Nottinghamshire Police made a significant breakthrough in their efforts against drug trafficking. Officers discovered a sophisticated cannabis farm within a warehouse in the region.
The police operation, which took place on an industrial estate in Nottinghamshire, led to the discovery of an elaborate setup dedicated to the cultivation of cannabis plants. Upon entering the warehouse, law enforcement personnel found an intricate network of hydroponic equipment, sophisticated lighting systems, and an advanced irrigation system that indicated a well-organized operation.
Several arrests were made in connection with the cannabis farm, highlighting the gravity of the criminal activity involved. The authorities are now focusing on conducting a thorough investigation to determine the individuals responsible for running the operation.
Cannabis cultivation on such a scale not only poses significant public safety risks but also underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in their fight against drug-related crime.
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