NORMAN Lamb MP, Minister of State at the Department of Health, will be visiting two mental health charities in South Lakeland on Friday.

His first port of call will be to Growing Well at Low Sizergh Farm, near Kendal, from where people recovering from mental health problems grow around 15 tonnes of organic vegetables each year on a six acre site. These are sold through a crop share (vegetable bag) scheme. Growing Well’s provision is free for anyone with a mental health problem, and is developing its support for children as well as adults.

The minister will also visit South Lakeland Mind which was facing closure in December. If this had happened vulnerable people would have been left without support over the Christmas period. The local community helped to fundraise the £60,000 needed in the short term to keep the charity going

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron and Mr Lamb will meet service users and staff, and talk about the HELP fundraising campaign.

Jonathan Ingram, Chief Officer of South Lakeland Mind, said: “It is now four months since we launched the HELP campaign, and we have come a long way.

"The public came out for South Lakeland Mind. But short-term survival is one thing – the more difficult and enduring challenge is to ensure that the charity builds for the long term in difficult times. Part of that is about making sure that all those people who have been such good friends stay there for us."

Mr Farron said: "Tackling the stigma which surrounds mental health is a priority for me. Over the last year I have worked hard to support charities and organisations locally, while asking a team of experts to look at what we can do to help improve services throughout Cumbria."

l GORDON Birtwistle MP, the Government’s Apprenticeship Ambassador, is to visit Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Ltd in Kendal today to meet apprentices.

Mr Birtwistle and Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron will be shown around the refurbishment work at Gilkes’ head office at Canal Head.

The project, which was funded through a successful Regional Growth Fund (RFG) bid, will help regenerate the site and ensure Gilkes' presence as one of Kendal's most significant employers. It will provide a state-of-the-art research and development suite, reception area and offices, providing space for the entire workforce of 250 staff.

Mr Birtwistle will also meet with apprentices and present them with awards. Statistics released by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills show that 3,280 apprenticeships have been created in the local area since 2010. For the last three months the figures show that 100 apprenticeship places a month are being created in Westmorland & Lonsdale.