A Shepton Mallet charity has joined Somerset cricket legend Marcus Trescothick in a new video promoting Mindline Somerset, a confidential listening service with a 24-hour telephone service to give emotional support and counselling to anyone in need and help them find further support.

The service is one of many local mental health projects funded by Somerset Community Foundation's (SCF) Somerset Coronavirus Appeal, and Paula Blight from the Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorders Association (SWEDA) in Shepton Mallet is featured in the video, along with the former England cricketer.

Marcus said: "I've made no secret of the struggles I've had with my mental health over the years, and it's important that people know there is someone to talk to when things get tough.

"We all have difficult days, but the support is out there, just a phone call away. I'm really pleased to support this important initiative to help stop people suffering in silence."

The video features staff, volunteers and service users from other local charities who are all working to provide mental health support in Somerset, in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

The "talking heads" featured in the film are from:

• Age UK Somerset (Taunton)
• The Balsam Centre (Wincanton)
• Community Council for Somerset (county-wide)
• Heads Up (South Horrington)
• Mind in Somerset (county-wide, based in Taunton, Yeovil and Bridgwater)
• The NHS
• Somerset County Council
• Spark Somerset (county-wide)
• SWEDA (Shepton Mallet)
• We Hear You (Frome)
• Young Somerset (county-wide, based in Bridgwater)

Justin Sargent, chief executive at SCF, said: "We're hugely grateful to Marcus for helping us raise awareness of Mindline Somerset.

"We're also very thankful to our supporters across Somerset.

"Their donations have enabled us to provide funding to many local mental health projects - including Mindline - from our Somerset Coronavirus Appeal. Their generosity has been truly humbling."

The video can be viewed on Somerset Community Foundation's Vimeo channel: www.vimeo.com/somersetcf.

The Somerset Coronavirus Appeal currently stands at £700,000 and more than £400,000 has been awarded in grants to 150 local charities and community groups in Somerset since it was launched in mid-March.

Funds have been used to support a range of good causes including food banks, support for people with disabilities, help for the elderly and projects supporting disadvantaged young people.

SCF is a charity based at the Bath and West Showground, near Shepton Mallet, that works together with donors to provide funding and support to reduce disadvantage and build stronger communities.

Last year SCF provided funding of £2.6 million to almost 300 projects across the county, supporting 40,000 people.

The charity is appealing to local people, if they feel able, to pledge their support the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal so it can continue to provide funding to help local charities and community groups recover from the financial impacts of coronavirus and ensure they can continue supporting those in need in the future.

To donate to the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal visit www.somersetcf.org.uk/appeal or, if that isn't possible, call 01749 344949.

To support the national appeal, you can visit: www.nationalemergenciestrust.org.uk/coronavirus.

Charities, community groups and volunteer groups can apply for funding of up to £10,000 from the Somerset Coronavirus Appeal.

To apply for funding visit: www.somersetcf.org.uk/coronavirus.

To speak to someone confidentially 24/7, call Mindline Somerset on 01823 276892.

If you have any queries you can contact SCF by email at [email protected] or, if that isn't possible, you can call 01749 344949.

Community foundations are local champions, connecting people and organisations that want to improve their communities.

They invest in local people and organisations tackling some of the biggest issues facing communities today and supporting some of society's most disadvantaged people.

They provide help and advice to those who want to give at the heart of their communities, both now and in the long-term, by matching donors to important local causes.