A wellbeing support group has been given £9,000 funding to help prevent further suicides in the Ogmore Valley.

The Ogmore Valley Suicide Awareness, a volunteer organisation, has been given the financial boost to provide vital mental health support services to the community.

The funding comes due to a pressing need to bridge the service gap that currently leaves people waiting for 14 to 16 weeks for a referral to mental health counselling services.

Gareth Burridge, director of Ogmore Valley Suicide Awareness, emphasised: "Timely intervention is everything and, as a group of 14 volunteers, we are doing all that we can to bridge an identified gap to support those who are in immediate need.

"This funding is allowing us to go that one step further to ensure that we have an in-house facility to provide support by investing in training for one of our colleagues."

Donated by Pennant Walters from a fund associated with the new Pant y Wal Wind Extension Farm, the money will enable a volunteer to attain a diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.

This will boost the running operations of the Community Interest Company.

Formed in early 2021 following a spate of suicides in the vicinity, the Ogmore Valley Suicide Awareness Group's main goal is to raise suicide awareness and establish a robust volunteer network.

Mr Burridge explained the vast reach of the funds: "This funding allows us to continue to carry out that work and to enable the ongoing counselling qualification.

"We are grateful to Pennant Walters for its support.

"As a group, we volunteer our time to provide intervention at a time when people need help the most and this funding will be felt by so many local people."

The group is working towards providing round-the-clock contact service and regular drop-in sessions.