ANYONE who has had an experience of mental illness is being invited to a free ‘power of peer support’ event.

Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, alongside Dudley Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, are hosting the event on Friday (November 27) to explore the available support.

Kelly Slade, personalisation lead at the trust, said: “We know that peer support is a very powerful tool.

“This event aims to showcase what help is available in the local area but ultimately we hope to inspire service users to look at how peer support might help them.”

One person who has benefited from peer support is Jon, who has used services for a number of years.

He said: “If I had to say just one thing about why peer support is so powerful, it would be that it makes us realise that we are not alone, and for or me that's huge.

“So I would encourage others to come along and find out what it’s all about.”

The event is being held between 11am and 3pm at Cable Plaza, Waterfront West, in Brierley Hill.

For more information, or to book a place, call 0121 602 8862 or email kelly.slade@dwmh.nhs.uk