A KENDAL charity that uses creativity to help people struggling with mental health issues has been shortlisted for a national award for voluntary organisations.

Space2Create is a collective which runs drop-in art workshops and sessions, offers a space for independent groups and exhibits the creative work of their service users.

The purpose of this is to boost the confidence and self-esteem of those who take part, helping them to recover and get involved in volunteering or back into employment.

The charity has been shortlisted for the Epic Awards, which recognises the work of voluntary artistic groups in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The winners will be announced on May 3.

Mat Butler organises Space2Create. He said: "Being shortlisted for this award was a very pleasant surprise. We don't know who nominated us.

"It helps make people aware of us and what we do. Already, as a result of the shortlisting, we have been approached by similar groups around the country.

"That has helped us build up our contacts and also raised awareness of the issues that we help people with.

"People have also found out about us and have come to get involved in sessions.

"Space2Create is a place where we see people's confidence and self-esteem grow. They will come and it can be a massive step for them to even want to be involved at first.

"Then, over time, they are more confident, and you really get to see people grow. I enjoy being a part of this very much.

"It is completely voluntarily run as well, and many of the volunteers, including myself, have had serious mental health problems themselves. So doing this is as much part of our recovery as well."

There are two kinds of Epic Award that Space2Create could win. One is the England award, which is voted for by a panel.

Another award is the People's Choice Award, where the winner of voted for by the public.

Votes can be cast for Space2Create by visiting: https://www.voluntaryarts.org/epic-awards-peoples-choice-voting