‘Seeing the children so happy was so emotional’

It was a very special Easter Monday for hundreds of children in the Melton area when they were given free chocolate eggs by superheroes like Batman, Batwoman and Spiderman.
Superheroes give out Easter eggs to Melton families through the Unlock Your You mental health charity EMN-210704-064723001Superheroes give out Easter eggs to Melton families through the Unlock Your You mental health charity EMN-210704-064723001
Superheroes give out Easter eggs to Melton families through the Unlock Your You mental health charity EMN-210704-064723001

In a remarkable public-spirited event organised by representatives of local mental health charity, Unlock Your You, families gathered at eight locations in and around the town and at Asfordby to meet comic book icons and the Easter bunny.

As well as handing out more than 800 Easter eggs, there was a serious message behind it all, to offer support to the many people who have suffered mental and emotional issues, particularly during the challenges of the last year through the coronavirus pandemic.

More children and young people are sadly suffering in this way and Unlock Your You is an organisation playing a vital role in helping them and their families to cope.

Superheroes give out Easter eggs to Melton families through the Unlock Your You mental health charity EMN-210704-064713001Superheroes give out Easter eggs to Melton families through the Unlock Your You mental health charity EMN-210704-064713001
Superheroes give out Easter eggs to Melton families through the Unlock Your You mental health charity EMN-210704-064713001

It started providing support in the Melton area last November and estimates it has already helped to save around 40 lives through its services.

Many of the eggs for Monday’s event, which was organised in collaboration with Melton Mowbray Round Table, were provided by members of the community, as well as local supermarkets, Morrisons and Spar.

Diane Dale, development ambassador for Unlock Your You, told the Melton Times: “We had 860 eggs when we set out and we only had about 30 left at the end.

“The Round Table were incredible and we couldn’t have done it without them, we going to be working with them all year doing more wonderful things

Superheroes give out Easter eggs to Melton families through the Unlock Your You mental health charity EMN-210704-064633001Superheroes give out Easter eggs to Melton families through the Unlock Your You mental health charity EMN-210704-064633001
Superheroes give out Easter eggs to Melton families through the Unlock Your You mental health charity EMN-210704-064633001

“Seeing the children so happy was so emotional.”

Children were thrilled to see the Easter Bunny arrive at the various locations, driven on the Father Christmas sleigh, normally used by the Round Table for their festive fundraising tours of the town every December.

The bunny and the superheroes gave out Easter eggs from 9.30 in the morning to 1.30pm, after starting at the Fairmead Children’s Centre in Melton.

They then visited The Cove Community Centre before heading out to Asfordby to greet familieis waiting outside the Co-op store.

Superheroes give out Easter eggs to Melton families through the Unlock Your You mental health charity EMN-210704-064643001Superheroes give out Easter eggs to Melton families through the Unlock Your You mental health charity EMN-210704-064643001
Superheroes give out Easter eggs to Melton families through the Unlock Your You mental health charity EMN-210704-064643001

Next it was back to Melton, outside the Spar on Valley Road, before trips to The Edge Community Centre, One Stop in Grange Drive, the allotments at Melton Country Park and finishing up at Morrisons in the town centre.

Diane thanked Rob Morrish, the supermarket’s community champion, for his support throughout the day.

She added: “We wanted to lift the spirits of local people.

“We’ve taken the superheroes out with us at other events and the children absolutely love them.”

Superheroes give out Easter eggs to Melton families through the Unlock Your You mental health charity EMN-210704-064623001Superheroes give out Easter eggs to Melton families through the Unlock Your You mental health charity EMN-210704-064623001
Superheroes give out Easter eggs to Melton families through the Unlock Your You mental health charity EMN-210704-064623001

Anyone stuggling with mental health problems can access the Unlock Your You services, from Monday to Sunday, 7am to 11pm.

Every year, one in four adults will experience a mental health problem and their struggles often revolve around day-to-day living, work, loss or loneliness.

Colby-Christopher Williams, of Unlock Your You, explained: “Our team are all mental health first aid-trained, DBS checked, ID-badged and PPE-equipped to support their town in those who are suffering with their mental health.

“This could be anything from loneliness, financial struggle, lack of food or clothing, anxiety, PTSD or issues such as depression or self harm.

“Our aim is to bridge the gap between no support and clinical, and we’ve started in Melton Mowbray since last November, saving over 40 lives and receiving Melton Borough Council support to provide counselling sessions.”

Anyone interested in exploring more about how the organisation can help them or a loved one with mental health issues can go online at www.unlockyouryou.com or call 01664 668699.

They can also email [email protected] or join the Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/meltonmowbraymentalhealthresponseunit to find out more.

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