A CHARITY that runs gardening and craft therapies for rural people with mental health problems has received a cash windfall.

Watchfield-based charity Root & Branch has received a £20,000 grant from the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales.

The grant will provide vital funds for the day-to-day running of the charity, such as salaries and utility bills, for two years.

Faith Mitchell, manager of the charity, said: “This is great news for us, and for the people we help.

“We’re delighted to get the support of Lloyds TSB and be able to continue our work.”

She added: “So many funders really only want to fund you to start a new project, but when you are running something that is going well you don’t want to abandon it to start something new.”

The charity was set up in 2003 after research showed there was a lack of services in rural areas for people with mental health difficulties.

Local farmer Adam Twine allowed the charity to set up on his organic farm and from there it runs activities such as organic gardening, wood and metal work, handicraft and cookery.

Faith said: “They learn through doing those activities and gain skills and experience to help them in their future lives.

“It also gives them confidence and a sense of purpose as well as a belief in the future – nurturing plants from start to finish and harvesting crops is also a great analogy for their own health.”

The charity has about 50 people come through its doors each year and most stay for between six months and a year.

There is one full-time member of staff and one part-time member as well as an army of volunteers throughout the Vale of the White Horse.

For more information visit www.rootandbranch.info.