A GROUP of friends who set out to raise money for mental health charities have taken a step toward supporting people “just about managing” with their mental health.

Get The Boys A Lift, a not for profit organization, is opening a drop-in centre on Dew Street in Haverfordwest, which it aims to open by early next year.

Originally set up in 2016 by Gareth Owens of Little Haven, the group began with him hitchhiking around Wales on his own, selling t-shirts, meeting people and raising money for PAPYRUS, a suicide prevention charity.

 

Gareth Owens. PICTURE: Ellie Wainwright.

In 2017 it became Get The Boys A Lift and joined by his friends, another two hitchhiking adventures have taken place in 2017 and 2018.

“We started off by raising money for PAPYRUS, and we have raised loads of money for mind too, and it didn’t stop. One thing led to another. It has kept going and going. We have now given away 12-grand in 18 months,” said Gareth.

They have donated money to PAPYRUS, Mind Pembrokeshire, the VC Gallery and the DPJ Foundation as well as others.

Get The Boys A Lift is about breaking down barriers and helping those who are just about managing with health problems – not only those who might need to be referred for serious help.

“Someone with severe mental health will go to Mind but there are a group of people on the surface going out and living everyday life but they still need help too.”

Their new shop and drop-in centre is at 7a Dew Street, Haverfordwest and is currently being renovated, with the aim of opening by January.

 

The boys are working hard to renovate the former shop at Dew Street. PICTURE: Ellie Wainwright.

The plan is to offer a casual coffee shop atmosphere for people to meet up and just socialize while at the same time having help on hand for anyone with mental health problems.

“It is all about making mental health support more accessible for younger people.

“We want to make it easy to come here. This can be your coffee haunt but it just happens you can go downstairs and chat to someone about what is bugging you for ten minutes.”

The premise will also be a base of operations to sell their clothing, the profits of which go toward fundraising.

Gareth has had help from his friends to renovate the shop, including his rugby team mates, and makes a special mention to friends Noah, Greg, Tom, Wilson and Ryan.