AN AYR woman who suffered from heightened anxiety throughout the coronavirus pandemic has created a support group to help other people’s mental health.

Agnes Smith, 59, was, like many, frightened by the tough restrictions brought on by the rapid spread of COVID-19.

Now she wants to “breakdown the stigma” of mental health and offer people a place where they feel less isolated.

Agnes, who runs a cleaning business, started a weekly group at Tsukure Hub, with the community space backing her plans.

She told the Advertiser: “I suffered myself through lockdown with anxiety.

“As we were beginning to come out of lockdown – that was when my anxiety was at its worse, I felt frightened to do things.

“Speaking to a few people, I realised they had the same experience and I thought it would be good to have somewhere to meet up and talk through how we are all feeling.”

Agnes wants to help people adapt to the “new normal” and since September the group has grown with four members making use of the time to talk through their fears.

She said: “A lot of people still panic – with new restrictions in place everything is up and down like a yo-yo

“There is one person who is so scared that we might end up in another full lockdown because they are on their own.

“But we are here for them now, we can speak to them over the phone if that happens and stay connected.”

Agnes who has had mental health training, used to run a community support group at Lochside Church.

This year, she has realised that moments of anxiety and depression are felt by everyone, especially during times of uncertainty.

Agnes added: “There is a stigma attached to mental health, but I realised when I was going through anxiety

it got me thinking how it

can affect everyone.

“It’s such a wide scope. Even if someone has had spells of anxiety and depression then they have suffered from mental health.

“Talking about it, is a big part of coping, to get it out there and speak to other people who have similar experiences.”

As well as talking as a group, Agnes wants to introduce online learning where people can train on a new skill, and group craft lessons.

She has thanked the team at Tsukure Hub for their support in allowing her to use the community space.

Agnes added: “They have been great for us.

“They offered us a room upstairs or downstairs and a separate area to talk to people in private.”