A FATHER who created a support group for hundreds of people during lockdown to help their wellbeing has received Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s daily Points of Light award.

Samuel Robbins, who is a trained mental health first aider, set up the Swindon and Wiltshire Mental Health Support Group on Facebook, to provide a safe space for people to share concerns, and how the pandemic has affected their mental health.

The group is used for raising awareness, sharing ideas and coping strategies. Samuel has also been fundraising for local mental health charities to allow them to support more individuals.

Samuel said: "It was mad, I couldn’t believe it. I got a call from a number I don’t know and they said ‘Is that Samuel? This may be a bit strange but I’m calling from the Prime Minister’s office.’ I was like ‘what is going on?’ When he told me I was chosen I was gobsmacked.”

His partner, Catrina Fletcher, nominated him for the award. Samuel released a video filmed at Coate Water, with the help of freelance videographer Charlie Lord, to boost awareness of mental health problems.

He added: “When she told me, I thought it was really sweet and I was quite taken back because it’s such a big award. So to get awarded it’s just incredible and I don’t think I’m over it yet.”

Samuel Robbins is a Pride of Swindon Winner 2020 and a Covid Community Champion. He also regularly takes part in voluntary work in the local community and encourages others to do the same, as one of the five steps to mental wellbeing.

“I plan to keep going and keep providing support as the group is forever growing. Now lockdown is easing, I want to get people out and do meet-ups as a lot of people are quite lonely.

“As lots of people have told me they have lost friends as they haven’t been there for them or they weren’t who they thought they were and lockdown has shown them that. People can get some fresh air, exercise and share the same experiences and hopefully learn from each other too.”

Samuel wants to highlight that more support is needed in the area and has been conducting research to make people aware of how much lockdown has affected people and how he can go about getting more support in place.

“The support isn’t great and we may lose so many more people, if we don’t get the support in place. The rise has been surprising and what has been bad is more children are suffering, especially being back at school and really struggling with the routine which gives them anxiety – some are having a gradual phased return because of it.”

“Hopefully I can get more support so my jobs not done yet. I would like people helping others and that community spirit too, once we’re in that place I can relax a bit more but I’m not stopping until that happens.”

"My advice to anyone would be to always ask twice when you are asking if someone is okay. You will find the second time round they will open up. #SpeakOutSaveLives."

He will receive his award from MP Robert Buckland.

Mr Buckland said: "Samuel has been working hard to raise awareness about mental health support locally and to ensure that it is treated equally to physical health services. He has also compiled an extensive and detailed report, highlighting the findings of a survey he conducted on Facebook, about how Covid-19 has affected people’s mental health and the support available in in Swindon. This report has been shared with me, along with North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson, as well as the Prime Minister and the Duchess of Cambridge who is a renowned champion of the issue.”

"Samuel has provided vital support to hundreds of people in and around Swindon, at a time when it has been needed the most."

In a personal letter to Samuel, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Thank you for your superb Swindon and Wiltshire Mental Health Support Group which has helped hundreds of local people who have been struggling with mental health or loneliness over the last year.

“I was inspired to hear about how volunteering is one of your five steps to mental health and how much you have done in your local community.”