Prince meets recipients of mental health project

The Prince of Wales has been praised for his understanding and compassion as he met volunteers and people helped by a mental health charity supporting rural communities.

The prince dropped in at a session by Norfolk and Waveney Mind at Anmer Social Club - close to the Wales's home of Anmer Hall on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk - to hear about an outreach project it co-funded.

Lee Dade, of Mind, said she was struck by Prince William's warmth, friendliness and appreciation as he met with a menopause exercise class, a men's group and people who received counselling through the service.

"What we deliver into our communities is really important for people who are socially isolated," she said.

"I got a sense of feeling that the prince really understands that, and what it's like for people that live in these rural, isolated areas."

The charity started a two-year pilot programme last year which focused on a proactive and preventative support for the whole community including, but not limited to, those living and working on the Sandringham estate.

It is hoped the project could become a blueprint for other rural estates across the UK looking to invest in their communities.

Prince William comforted businessman Paul Gannon, who came close to tears when discussing the invaluable support he had received for about four years.

"My experience is that Mind have become a sort of family," he told the prince.

"I'm very isolated up here, my family are elsewhere and, yes, they've been very useful.

"I've had PTSD issues which have really come back to haunt me and it's good to be able to talk, not just go on to anti-depressants and things like that, to actually [talk] to real people, caring people and people you trust."

Kayleigh Armager, the rural mental health co-ordinator for the project, said it could be difficult for people living and working in rural areas to get access to mental health support.

"There's also a stigma - that can be a generational thing - of 'how could I possibly go and talk about that to somebody else?'," she explained.

"That's why I'm here, based in such a safe space in these communities where people feel safe and can come and have those difficult conversations if they feel they want to."

She said the project had already seen an "incredible" amount of people and had "massive" results - whether that was integrating people into further services, supporting them with counselling or other groups within the charity.

The prince also headed to Norwich to hear about the work of Norfolk Blood Bikes, which delivers blood, plasma, breast milk and medical equipment to the NHS and air ambulances.

Chairman Sandy Gurley said he had funded a new car, which could be used to do "multiple box runs" back and forth to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

"He was very gracious in meeting quite a number of our volunteers and helping understand the work that they do, the commitment they have to the charity and what it means to them to be part of this organisation.

"We also took part in a genuine run from the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital to deliver blood to the air ambulance at Norwich Airport.

"Today we just had a very, very special guest as a ride-along visitor."

Prince William also met 22-year-old Lennon Hayes, from Norwich, who received blood from Norfolk Blood Bikes at the scene of a serious accident in December 2023.

He was airlifted to hospital, remaining there in a coma for more than a month.

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