Volunteers from mental health and suicide prevention charity the Bearded Fishermen will be patrolling known suicide spots as part of their new Night Watch Project.

Before the pandemic the Gainsborough-based charity ran regular support groups where people could discuss their worries and access help and advice at Connexions Community Hub in the town.

During lockdown, founders Rick Roberts and Mick Leyland were forced to adapt the way they provide their services and took their sessions online for those who still needed to access vital mental health support.

Since then, the charity has gone from strength to strength, opening a dedicated call centre and starting a Food Share Project delivering food parcels to the most vulnerable people in the local and wider community during the pandemic.

The charity has now expanded once again to launch its Night Watch Project.

The project was launched in response to an increase in calls for support during lockdown and the number of suicide attempts in the county.

Working in collaboration with Lincolnshire’s Emergency Services, the Bearded Fishermen has recruited two teams of four volunteers so far – all of whom are mental health and first aid trained – who work shifts patrolling Lincolnshire’s known suicide spots.

The volunteers, who operate on foot, are equipped with team radios, GPS devices tracked by the emergency services, first aid response equipment, food and essentials ready to offer support to people in need.

Co-founder Rick Roberts said: “We launched the Night Watch Project as we’re expecting to see a rise in mental health deterioration across the county as we near the Christmas period and isolation begins to affect those who live alone.

“This year has been incredibly difficult for many but this project, along with our other services, aims to help and offer essential support to individuals who feel they have no one else to turn to. We’re continuing to grow as a charity and hope to expand our voluntary night watch teams over the coming weeks.

“Any support the public can give us, either in the form of donations or volunteering will make a huge difference to the lives of others.”

The Bearded Fishermen rely heavily on public donations to keep their services running.

To help fund this project or become a volunteer please visit: http://project-nightwatch.org.uk/