Prince William dishes out hugs as he visits lifeline service he and Princess Kate help fund

Prince William, the Prince of Wales, has travelled to Norfolk for a string of engagements today, including a visit to a mental health organisation close to his heart

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Prince William hugs a member of staff at Norfolk and Waveney Mind in Norwich(Image: Chris Jackson/PA Wire)

The Prince of Wales heard how a local mental health charity has been a lifeline to rural communities in Norfolk, with one man telling him he would be unlikely to be here today if it weren’t for the support Mind had offered him.

On a visit to Norfolk and Waveney Mind at Anmer Social Club’s Community Hall, situated on the King’s Sandringham estate on this morning, William heard how the charity is delivering vital mental health support to local people, including those who work on the royal estate.

“Mind have become a sort of family,” a 71-year-old man told William. “It’s good to be able to talk… and deal with real people, caring people, people you trust.”

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William enjoys a cup of tea and a chat with Paul Gannon(Image: Chris Jackson/PA Wire)

The community groups provided by the mental health charity are located within touching distance from their homes and provide a safe, non-judgemental space where attendees can build supportive relationships and help navigate difficult periods of their life.

Last year, Norfolk and Waveney Mind, a local branch of the national charity, launched a pilot programme cofunded by the Prince and Princess of Wales who have a country retreat just round the corner, aimed at improving the wellbeing of local people.

It provides proactive outreach and preventative support for the whole community, from 1:1 counselling sessions to parent-and-toddler groups and menopause support groups and William wants it to become a blueprint for other rural estates across the UK.

Arriving at the Community Hall in the pouring rain, the Prince met with those delivering the service to hear more about the pilot programme’s progress and effectiveness before moving inside to chat with those who attend the groups.

Talking first to a group of women from the menopausal group, William heard how the exercise class offered has improved their wellbeing both physically and mentally and the best thing is that it takes place on their doorstep, so they do not need to travel into the nearby towns.

Told that they have all become close friends and the classes are filled with laughter, the prince said: “That is the important thing, laughter is important too. Laughter is a great source, a benefit.”

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The mental health service is targeted towards the rural community across Northwest Norfolk(Image: Getty Images)

Turning to Lee Dade, Head of Services at the charity, William said: “You made the point very clearly that when covid came along it was very much like a door shutting… we haven’t had the same post covid where everybody is saying right get back out again and so some people have been left behind.” One woman replied and said: “It’s more insular definitely. It’s hard to get people out and joining but once they’re there.”

Pointing to the posters on the wall inside the hall, one person said they were tempted to come to some of the clubs that are run here, and they could field a quiz team. Laughing, William said: “There are very competitive pub quizzes around here.”

Joining a table to hear about the men’s groups that are run by the local Mind, William was introduced to Mark Beck, a recovery worker who runs the group, and Paul Gannon, 71, who has used the services for over four years.

The group usually runs on a Tuesday so many of the members were unable to attend today, with Mark telling the Prince Paul is here to represent them. “Thank you Paul, appreciate it,” William told him. “The lone man himself being here.”

“These guys are amazing, they really are,” he said, before becoming emotional and unable to continue his sentence as he said “they have been with me…” William comforted him by placing his hand on his shoulder and told him: “Don’t worry, take your time on it. I’ll talk until you’re ready to say anything.”

With his hands wrapped around a mug of tea, the prince then explained why he and his wife helped to launch the pilot scheme last year, explaining that he had been approached by several people about the worsening isolation rates since the covid pandemic.

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William and Kate have helped co-fund the community-led initiative (Image: Chris Jackson/PA Wire)

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William chats as a painting of his late grandmother Elizabeth II looms over him (Image: Chris Jackson/PA Wire)

“This is a bit of a pilot project to understand what is the need, what are the challenges in the rural community and how do we replicate something in the whole of the UK so that we are not leaving holes in how we look after people. What has been the experience that you have seen from everyone here?”

Mark explained that with poor transport connections, pubs closing down, and the impact of covid, men can struggle to find people and places to talk about how they’re feeling.

“Us men can be a bit of a funny bunch which is why we have these men’s groups because sometimes it can be very difficult for men to open up as often as they should.”

He explained that the hardest part is encouraging men to take the first step and attend a session.Nodding, William aksed why that was, with Mark explaining that it’s the stigma of generational views around mental health.

But he has noticed a shift, telling him: “What we have seen is that some of the benefits of the younger generation being much more open about mental health does seem to be working its way up. “Good,” the Prince said. “The next generation encouraging the older generation.”

Paul then said it’s very difficult for men if these types of places do not exist. “My experience is that Mind have become a sort of family,” he told William. “I am very isolated up here my family are elsewhere.

William visiting Norfolk and Waveney Mind at Anmer Social Club’s Community Hall, situated on the King’s Sandringham estate(Image: Chris Jackson/PA Wire)

“It has been very useful. I have had PTSD issues which have really come back to haunt me. “It’s good to be able to talk, and not just go onto antidepressants but actually to deal with real people, caring people, people you trust.”

William asked what would have happened if he didn’t have the Mind group to turn to, with Paul saying: “I think things would have been very different. I was in a very dark place at one time had a very great life and then it all fell apart…. Dark times and trying to find out again who you are. Mind have helped me re-establish a new career at 71.”

“Dare I ask what you are doing now?” William said. Told he was working in business, the prince smiled and said “that’s a relief, I’m never quite sure what you are going to say at 71”, prompting the room to erupt in hearty laughter.

Turning his attention back to the pilot programme, William asked Mark what are the key take aways. Promotion, destigmatising and having good advocates were the main priorities, he said.

Mark said: “Basically try and make it seem much more approachable and much more easy to access. Getting people in is actually the hardest bit and something we are always trying new methods.”

Walking through to another room, William spoke to one of the counsellors, Grania Haigh, about her experiences. “The need is probably greater than we have seen so far,” she told him. “In individual departments on the estate, when one comes others follow.”

Before departing, William privately met members of the community who have received one-to-one counselling as part of the programme.