Kingston Co-op has announced its support for two local community causes next year as part of its Local Community Fund (LCF) Celebration on 30 November.

The retailer's LCF is awarded annually to organisations who are deemed to serve one or more of the Co-op's pillars; providing access to food, access to well-being and providing opportunities for the young.

Every time Kingston and Surbiton Co-op members buy selected Co-op branded products and services, or every £1 spent, they will earn 2p for themselves and 2p for a local community project.

This year's community charities are focused on mental wellbeing with Kingston Bereavement Service and The Psychosynthesis Trust's Exploring Anxiety programme at Hogsmill Community Garden being selected.

The Psychosynthesis Trust is an educational charity which professionally trains counsellors and psychotherapist, as well as offering counselling.

Kelly Tyler, Social Impact Director of the trust, and Julie Blythe, organiser of Hogsmill Community Gardens, were greeted by Co-op Kingston Store managers and Kingston's Member Pioneer (MP) Anna.

Managers Mark and Kiran are very engaged in supporting the local causes, the community, and Kingston's Co-op MP*.

Kelly said: "What we've got with Co-op with this opportunity [as part of its Local Community Fund] is: one, for people to learn more about the Hogsmill so they people can come here themselves; and two, help local people experiencing anxiety to get that support."

Julie Blythe (left) and Kelly Tyler (right) on Co-op's celebration day. (Photo: Supplied)

Launching 'The Exploring Anxiety Project' in 2022, Kelly created the programme based on a year of research into society's main social needs linked to psychological needs.

She says: "Lots of people feel anxiety because they feel isolated or disconnected to themselves or other people.

"Nature is a great place because it doesn't judge. It's accessible to us all even if it's just a flowerpot on your window or a beautiful garden like [Hogsmill]."

Exploring Anxiety programmes are free to the public but requires £3,000 to run each programme, with the resources and facilitators who are also trained on the course. Kelly said she is constantly fundraising for the programmes to take place.

Kelly added: "The waiting lists for any intervention from doctors or councillors has been near on two years. What we're trying to do is intervene beforehand so people feel they have coping strategies.

CFo-op poster for Exploring Anxiety programme. (Photo: Supplied)

The 10-week programme starts with a full-psychological and wellbeing assessment, and then another assessment at the end to see the impact of the course.

Meeting at a community garden, 10 individuals have two hours and experience psychosynthesis-informed activities in nature and explore themes in discussion.

Julie has been running the Hogsmill Community Gardens for 10 years. The garden is a communal space where individuals can meet and engage with nature.

Julie comes from a horticultural therapy background. She explains Hogsmill has always had that aspect of adapting tasks to make it successful. "It's really important people always feel a sense of achievement," she says.

Passionate about gardening, Julie and her volunteers are happy to train people who are eager to learn techniques and grow in knowledge. Hogsmill runs evening sessions, meditation classes, socials, as well hosting school visits at least twice a term.

Read more about the Exploring Anxiety Programme and Hogsmill in our UP CLOSE feature.

Kingston's Bereavement Services's Celebration Day is due to ntake place at 11am Tuesday 19 December.

*Co-op MP's bring together Co-op members, colleagues and local causes to make communities a better place to work, play, live and learn. They can put you in touch with like-minded people, offer practical advice, and help. If you work within the local community and feel you would benefit by contacting Anna, you can email her at: [email protected].