LEAPS was set up in 2009 and has gone from strength to strength. There's five committee members: Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Chair, Deputy Chair, Treasurer, Advertising Manager and Advertising Assistant.

The group meet once a week to support members who are struggling with the difficulties unwaged people face including stigma, state benefits, access to mental health services and medical appointments. LEAPS support people through providing a safe place and a listening ear for members to voice their concerns and difficulties about their daily living.

A lot of our members are unemployed due to physical and mental illnesses and so they require a variety of levels and types of support which can range from needing to use a phone to getting advice on accessing their local social services.

LEAPS have done a number of activities in an attempt to raise money for the group and have had a project (called Wellness Weeks) funded by the National Lottery which allowed members to go on a therapeutic trip, have a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy workshop and take part in a huge arts and crafts project.

For more details about the group please visit our website: www.leapsonline.co.uk

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www.twitter.com/leapsonline