A High Peak charity are in the running for £70,000 in National Lottery funding - but now need the support of people across the area to vote for them.

High Peak Community Arts is one of five charities to reach the final of The People's Projects on ITV's Granada Reports with their 'It's in Our Nature' project.

If they get the most votes and win the funding, it will ensure the much-needed project can go ahead. It has been designed to have a positive impact on the mental health challenges faced by children, young people, and adults across the borough.

Alison Bowry from High Peak Community Arts said: “We are thrilled to be in the final and we need your vote, to help support the mental health of many people in the High Peak.

“We know from over 30 years’ experience that being involved in arts projects improves mental health. Last year alone, adult participants reported feeling better after arts workshops on 96 per cent of occasions, and 79 per cent reported improvements in their longer-term wellbeing.”

Projects also support young people who have long waits for mental health treatment.

Sophie Mackreth, Youth Arts Manager, said: "The NHS aims to provide treatment within 30 days, the Derbyshire average is 40 days, but we know people who have waited a year and a half.

“This project gives a chance to reach more people and work out how to meet this rising demand.”

One of their young participants said: "Being a member of High Peak Community Arts has been a lifeline for me. I don’t think I’d still be here without it.”

To vote for ‘It’s in Our Nature’ go to - https://www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk/ - and find the link to see their short film about the project, and vote from 15 May until midday 26 May.

In this new arts project, children and adults will work together to overcome their mental health challenges. Arts activities will celebrate the power of nature to impact mental health and create a showcase at the end of the project, for the whole community to enjoy.

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