A MENTAL health charity is collaborating with a church in one of Bradford's most deprived areas.

Wellspring charity set up an outreach hub, at St Stephen’s Church in West Bowling, in 2023, to help those suffering from depression, loneliness, and poverty.

Shine, a charity based at St Stephen’s, is collaborating with Wellspring on the initiative.

Nick Garrett, interim CEO with Wellspring, said: "Wellspring Counselling Centres bring together Wellspring’s 20 years of experience in delivering affordable professional counselling services with a church or charity who is in touch with their community and ready to help.

"Through partnership working, we will support a church to set up, deliver, and grow an affordable counselling service based on our own model."

One of the driving forces behind Shine is Linda Baines, whose husband, the Rt Rev Nick Baines, is the Bishop of Leeds and the patron of Wellspring.

She said: "SHINE stands for Social, Health, Inner, Natural, and Economic wellbeing.

"We believe that people need to thrive in all these areas for a fulfilled life.

"With counselling help from Wellspring, we are now helping over 200 men, women, and children every single week."

More information about Wellspring, including information on how to donate to the charity, is available at https://shinewestbowling.org.uk/pf/counselling/ or via phone at 01274 738490.