A LIFELINE organisation has launched a programme of free classes to help Inverclyde people keep their mind and body occupied during lockdown.

Inverclyde Association for Mental Health (IAMH) received funding from Oak Tree Housing Association early in 2020 and used it to run a series of classes.

The team received another cash boost from the housing provider in the run-up to Christmas - and as the 2020 programme was so successful, another batch of activities are now under way.

Free classes include Zoom sessions with Gordon 'The Guru' Anderson, online yoga, mindfulness with Sharon McCafferty and sessions for women called You Matter Always.

The IAMH team - Lorraine Graham, Karen Knox and Diane McGranaghan - are keen to bring a combination of online and in-person classes to people who are struggling during the pandemic.

Team leader Lorraine Graham says she wants to raise awareness of the classes available - and the fact they're free.

She said: "We're using this funding to specifically help people who are struggling most with their mental health during the lockdown.

"We're always looking for ways to connect with the community that will improve mental health and wellbeing in these difficult times.

"The 2020 programme was a great success and when we received another round of funding just before Christmas, we knew we wanted to run more sessions.

"Now we want to get the word out there and reach as many people as possible."

The mindfulness and You Matter Always sessions run face-to-face in a socially-distanced, safe environment at Broomhill Community Hub.

Participants wear face coverings and safety measures are in place.

The Gordon Anderson sessions and yoga are running online for the moment.

Lorraine and her colleagues hope to set up sessions with a counsellor in the future.

She feels it is essential that some of the classes can run face-to-face, adding: "People still need that connection.

"We're really open to different ideas for courses we could run in the future.

"We want people to find out more about what helps them."

*To find out more about the programme visit the Inverclyde Association for Mental Health page on Facebook.