Banbury shoppers are being encouraged to stop for a chat and reflect up on their mental health thanks to a chatty bench near Keystone Mental Health & Wellbeing Hub in Banbury.

The bench, near the hub in Castle Quay shopping centre, offers people the chance to take a seat and reflect on their wellbeing. They can reflect with other people and, if they have any concerns or are simply curious, can pop into Banbury’s Keystone hub to find out more.

Keystone Health & Wellbeing Hub in Banbury is one of a series of break-through mental health hub being introduced across Oxfordshire by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust which provides free NHS mental health services in the county.

It offers a breakthrough approach to supporting people with ongoing mental health problems – bringing care and support close to people when and where they need it most.

The doors of the Banbury hub, alongside its sister hub in Bury Street, Abingdon, are open this Time to Talk Day 1 February 2024.

People are invited to pop in to find out more about what they do and the support available.

Hub manager David Naidoo said: “Talking to someone about how you feel, especially if you’re struggling, can be the single biggest step you can take to getting on the path to improving your mental health. It can be scary and daunting, but once you’ve done it, it’s uphill from there. This Time to Talk Day I would encourage anyone to call into the hub here in Castle Quay, find out how we can help you, you family and loved ones. We’re just a conversation away.”

You can find out more about your local Keystone hub by walking into the Keystone Hubs in Bury Street, Abingdon and Castle Quay, Banbury. Alternatively visit Keystone hubs www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/keystone.