STAFF and volunteers from the Independence Trust attended an all day event in Stroud giving out information and answering questions about two new support services in Gloucestershire.

The Trust provides a range of services that support people's emotional and physical wellbeing.

The new services are the Community Advice, Links and Mental Health Support Service (CALMHS), and the Community Autism Support and Advice (CASA).

Volunteers and staff from the Trust attended the events in Gloucester, Stroud, Cinderford and Cheltenham to provide information on the new services which are both funded by Gloucestershire County Council.

The launch events were well attended by members of the general public and other local support services. The Deputy Mayor of Stroud, Cllr Margaret Poulton, also attended to learn more about how the new services will make a difference to local communities.

CASA is a community autism support service that is commissioned by Gloucestershire County Council for adults diagnosed with autism and offers a wider range of advice, interventions and support. Peer support groups and one-to-one advice on how to get involved in local communities aims to help people with autism avoid social isolation.

Clients can be self-referred or referred by their GP, employer or many existing support services.

CALHMS provides support for those experiencing moderate to severe and enduring mental ill-health, tailored to help build on an individual's strengths to make positive changes. This can be achieved through one-to-one support with one of the Independence Trust's specially trained Bridge Builders, accessing advice and exploring opportunities to develop new skills.

Christine Duggan, Director of Housing and Wellbeing at Connexus, of which the Independence Trust is a part, said: "We're delighted to be providing the people of Gloucestershire with these important support services.

"With more than 1 in 100 people in the UK on the autistic spectrum, and most of us experiencing mental ill-health at some point of our lives, the CASA and CALHMS services will help make Gloucestershire a county of opportunity for everyone.”

Members of the public interested in the new service are encouraged to find out more by visiting https://bit.ly/2KE0Ctb