Mental health movement to host Athlone coffee morning

The GROW Community Mental Health Movement is hosting a coffee morning in Athlone this Saturday (May 4) to provide people with information and have a chat over a cup of coffe.  

This event was organised in response to Minister for Rural & Community Development, Michael Ring, designating the May Bank Holiday Weekend as the first National Community Weekend.  

As part of the Minister's initiative, each county council is allocating small grants towards events in the community which give people a chance to meet and socialise with their neighbours in various settings, one of which is health. These are called 'Big Hello' events.

GROW Midland Region is hosting its coffee morning from 10am to 12 noon in the Prince of Wales Hotel, Athlone, on Saturday and all are welcome. 

GROW is a Community Mental Health Movement which came to Ireland form Australia 50 years ago this year. 

Staff working with GROW will be there on Saturday to extend the hospitality and will provide people with information and chat over a cup of coffee. The event is free, so why not come along and join in this community gathering? 

GROW runs weekly support groups for people with any form of a mental health difficulty or who may be lonely, isolated or suffering from stress.  Meetings are anonymous and confidential and are supported by a trained Area co-ordinator.

The groups are non-denominational and are open to people over 18 years of age.  The Athlone group meets every Wednesday at 7.30pm in the National Learning Network, Belhavel Training Centre, Golden Island, Athlone.  Contact Assumpta on 086 811 4135.

GROW Midland Region acknowledges, with thanks, the support of the Department of Community & Rural Development, Westmeath local development committee and Westmeath County Council who made a grant available for this Saturday's event.