A community of life coaches have decided to support Mental Health Awareness Week by offering their services to members of the public who need someone to talk to.

Statistics show that one in four of us will suffer from mental ill health at least once in our adult lifetime and recent studies suggest that mental ill health amongst young people is on the rise. 

A call to action was put out on social media for coaches to create listening posts in local coffee shops and public spaces. The idea became popular with people liking the simplicity of the concept and so far 25 coaches have agreed to give their time for free.

Listening Posts will be created throughout the UK, including London and Birmingham. Coaches will be placed in cafes and other public spaces, wearing ‘I’m Listening’ t-shirts and offering anyone the opportunity to talk about whatever is on their mind. Founder of the scheme, Cheri Gillings, said:

"Listening has a powerful effect on us. We feel valued and cared for and more importantly, less alone in the world. The simple act of giving another person time to hear themselves think, and to notice their thinking is the vital piece an all helping relationships.

Listening enables people to separate from their thinking. They notice that they are having thoughts, and that they are not their thoughts"

Listening Posts in Dudley will be taking place at the Merry Hill branch of Soho Coffee, on Monday 8th May (11am-1pm) and Thursday 11th May (10am-12pm). Other local events will be held in Wild Bytes Cafe and Lounge, Wolverhampton, on Thursday 11th May (2pm-6pm) and St Phillips Place in Birmingham on Wednesday 10th May from 12pm onwards 

If you want to find out where your nearest listening post will be, or would like to become a ‘listener’, visit the schemes Facebook page or the Listen for Wellbeing website at listenforwellbeing.com.