A NEW and innovative service - the first of its kind in Wales - is set to reach out to people living in rural areas of Denbighshire who need help with their mental wellbeing.

The Vale of Clwyd branch of the England and Wales mental health charity Mind will provide a mobile social prescribing service in rural towns, villages and farmers’ markets, starting on February 1.

Its vehicle, affectionately known as DORIS (Denbighshire Outreach Rural Information Service), will help to support people in mental distress.

On board DORIS will be a fully trained social prescribing practitioner, who will provide short-term emotional and practical assistance, and provide referrals to other organisations who can help.

Paul Moore, chief executive of Vale of Clwyd Mind, said: “We have had a long-term ambition to provide this service on a regular basis in rural areas.

“Circumstances have now come together to provide us with a great opportunity to help people who need emotional and practical support as we continue with our long journey through COVID.”

Help from DORIS and her team can be accessed easily – either through GP surgeries, by self-referral via phone, or you can just drop by for a cup of tea and a chat with social prescribing practitioner Gill Pullen and her team of expert volunteers.

DORIS will be delivering the service in the area’s four main towns – Corwen, Denbigh, Ruthin and St Asaph – but will also visit farmers’ markets and villages on a regular basis.

Starting at Ruthin Farmers’ Market on February 1, a range of partners will also be involved, including the Co-operative's own Community Champions.

Paul Moore added: “We have had an amazing response from a wide range of organisations who can see the potential in what we are trying to achieve.

“Local GPs are working with us to refer patients who are depressed or anxious. Denbighshire County Council is providing free parking for DORIS in accessible places.

“The NHS audiology department are keen to take part, and other organisations will be ‘on board’ to provide help when needed.

“Local people will have no trouble accessing DORIS – she is a very large and very yellow vehicle; it would be hard to miss!

“It’s been a difficult project to bring together, but none of it would have been possible without the Co-op who are funding the year-long project.

“It follows a successful social prescribing project in Rhyl, which provided real help to over 500 people.

“We now want to replicate that success in rural areas where 50 per cent of the county’s population live without many of the amenities enjoyed elsewhere.’

The DORIS project comes at a time when Vale of Clwyd Mind statistics underline the increasing number of people who are anxious or depressed as a result of loneliness and isolation, or because of a related bereavement.

Denbighshire also has the highest rate of male suicide in Wales, and it is hoped that this project will reach out to tackle this issue in rural communities.

During the project, people will be asked to complete a community questionnaire to find out what would most improve the lives of those living in rural areas.

Those views will inform a report which will be available at the end of the project to the NHS, Denbighshire County Council, partners and anyone who is interested.

A list of where DORIS will be and when will be circulated widely.

If you would like to find out more about how the project can help you, either contact your GP for a referral or visit the DORIS team.

For more information, visit: www.valeofclwydmind.co.uk.