A shocking lack of provision for people with mental health issues has been met with the launch of a support group with a feel good active theme.

Walk and Talk is the brainchild of Sharon Powell, a former Samaritan, support worker and trained walks leader, who has joined up with Tracy Carr of the Talk it Out mental health help group.

Together they are enlisting the help of homeless charity Porchlight which is hosting an open meeting in Deal in September.

Back in May Mrs Carr, 54 of Langton Close, spoke out about the lack of provision for people with mental health issues.

She told KentOnline that she felt her group was doing the job of the health services because of a lack of resources in Kent.

Mrs Powell, 50, of Wilson Avenue has long had an interest in mental health, she helped Mrs Carr set up Talk It Out in September 2011, but recently had a bright idea.

“I feel that Sundays can be really difficult for people so having something like this on a Monday will help them get through the weekend.” - Sharon Powell

She said: “I picked up this magazine and read about how this woman had started a walking group. I used to walk with my cousin and you don’t notice the time going. You don’t realise how beneficial it is.

“I just had this gut feeling and thought this would be really good for people in Deal. I really wanted to do it, so I contacted Tracy and it’s gone from there.”

The first meeting will be for one hour from 9.30am on Monday.

She said: “I feel that Sundays can be really difficult for people so having something like this on a Monday will help them get through the weekend.”

Anyone is welcome and it will go ahead whatever the weather. Walkers are asked to meet at the entrance to the Pier and they will walk towards Sandown Castle.

As part of her drive to involve charities in helping those in crisis, Mrs Carr has liaised with Porchlight.

Hilary Johnston, mental health and wellbeing manager, said: “Porchlight is very keen to see more support for people with mental health problems in Deal and we’re helping to deliver Live Well Kent – a free Kent-wide service funded by KCC and the NHS – to enable people to access all kinds of support for their mental health and wellbeing.

“We’ve organised a meeting next month of various community services, support groups, experts and volunteer workers to look at improving provision.

“We are really thankful to Tracy Carr for alerting us to the situation and we are determined to see things move forward.

“Although Porchlight is primarily as a homelessness charity, we are very invested in mental health support. One in four people will experience mental illness at some point in their life and it is often a contributing factor to people becoming homeless.”

A date is yet to be confirmed.

Mrs Carr said: “I’ve been saying it for a long time but the problem in Deal is that it has got nothing for people with mental health issues and people just want somewhere to go.

“I’m really pleased that people are now listening to us and that things are on the up.”