A Bradford community interest company wants to recruit a new batch of volunteers to expand its mental health care support services in the city.

Healthy Lifestyles Solutions, based off Bowling Back Lane, was originally set up in 2001 to try to reduce health inequalities in the Holme Wood and Bierley areas.

It is now looking for extra support in the new year to help improve the health and well-being of some of the district’s most vulnerable families and individuals.

Director Sharon Rushworth said: “We’re living in times where people are under so much pressure that they’re struggling to cope, and it’s having a massive issue on mental health.

“The impacts are far-reaching. There are children living in families that are totally chaotic, with parents worried about simple things like feeding their kids. It causes anger and no-one should have to live in those environments.”

The group provides support with issues such as domestic abuse and bereavement, run through its well-being cafes.

Staff also work with teenagers struggling with mental health issues, identifying potential triggers to prevent young people turning to alcohol or drugs as a support mechanism.

“We work with a lot of people who are very socially isolated,” said Mrs Rushworth. “They don’t want to go out and as a result they lose their social skills. We try to engage with these people, because if you’ve got social capital you’re more likely to have good health and well-being.”

According to figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre, there are more than 5,000 people on the mental health register across the Bradford district, including patients with schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder and other psychoses.

Although the group have just received funding from the People’s Health Trust for a two-year project aimed at supporting vulnerable adults aged 50 to 60, they remain vulnerable to cuts in public sector funding from April next year.

“It is a very worrying time for the voluntary sector,” Mrs Rushworth said.

“People sometimes wrongly assume that because of the name everything gets done for nothing, but there are significant costs involved.

“With all the council cuts in Bradford, groups that are working to try to stop families going under have massive concerns that they may have to close down, meaning volunteering is more important than ever.”

Healthy Lifestyles is now taking names for a new intake of volunteers in January and applicants will be given the chance to build experience and receive accredited training.

For more information, contact the group on (01274) 726200 or visit healthylifestylebradford.co.uk.