Dr Rupa Huq MP celebrated World Mental Health Awareness Day with the MindFood team in Hanger Lane.

MindFood regularly meet at the Cleveley Crescent allotments and It's now 11 years ago that this Ealing mental health charity was set up to help people tackle stress, depression, anxiety and isolation. 

They confront these issues by connecting people with nature, teaching food-growing and sharing evidence-based tips and techniques like mindfulness to improve wellbeing.  

Dr Huq visited MindFood to talk about mental health awareness and enjoy tea and cake with participants. 

The MP said: "I grew up off the gyratory so I must have passed this space completely obvious to it countless times.  

"It was lovely to take time out from the surrounding hustle and bustle to experience the goodness of the Mindfood crew in the fresh air and sunshine on the occasion of World Mental Health Awareness Day and see the valuable work they do." 

She added: "I even left the session armed with an interestingly misshapen half cucumber reminiscent of the type of fruit and veg that used to cause such merriment on tv's That's Life - true to form as it's Mindfood USP (unique selling point) that those involved get to take home food they've helped to grow." 

All MindFood session leaders started out as participants, fostering a deep understanding of what they're dealing with, making them "experts by experience". 

Lucy Clark, programme director, came to MindFood eight years ago seeking support for anxiety and depression.  

As a result of attending sessions, she decided she never wanted to work indoors again and left behind her career as food Product Developer at M&S to retrain in Horticultural Therapy.  

MindFood recieve an award for their contribution to voultary work in the Ealing area (credit: Rupa Huq).

Clark said: "no-one needs to feel alone if they're feeling overwhelmed: in any given year one in four people in the UK will suffer from with mental ill health, and nearly one in two Londoners say they are more stressed than they feel able to manage." 

She added: "These pre-covid figures are likely to have increased since with the cost of living issues.  

"But by carving out some time to reconnect with nature and with the help of just a few simple self-care tools and strategies, people can soon feel loads better and more equipped to deal with life's pressures." 

The theme for this year's World Mental Health Awareness Day fittingly is "Mental Health is a Universal human right". 

Among sessions Mindfood run throughout the week, they include outdoor art and a dedicated men's group. 

Those who complete the six-session Growing Wellbeing course earn themselves a free trip to Kew Gardens. 

Visit their website for more information. 

MindFood have recently started a partnership with Coop stores where shoppers can nominate them as local charity of choice. 

Click here for more information. 

In recent months, Mindfood were highly commended at the sustainable city awards in the Trailblazer category and have come up trumps at this year's Charity Film Awards.  

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