MENTAL health is still one of those subjects that many people don't like talking about.

But there has been significant progress in awareness - and much of that is due to organisations like Andover Mind.

Earlier this month they organised a range of activities in the town to mark World Mental Health Day - and they are already thinking about events for next year.

The charity secured a lease on Arcade House in 1994 and clients, volunteers and specialist workmen began the task of converting the building.

In 2000 a two-storey extension was built to give an enlarged shop area, a new workshop, a general manager's office and a meeting room.

Initially the centre was essentially a drop-in facility, but it has grown dramatically in terms of the number of users, the services it provides, staff and volunteers. General manager Pat Trickett said: "Our role is to campaign for greater awareness of mental health issues, campaign locally for appropriate and accessible services and provide a service to help the rehabilitation and recovery of users."

One of the most important elements of the centre is its popular shop, which now concentrates on furniture and has an annual turnover of £44,000.

The shop plays a vital role in the centre's aim to provide life skills training, as well as raising funds, alongside the help and advice provided on vocations, benefits and complementary therapies.

Mandy Moore, business and marketing consultant, said: "The aim of our vocational advice service is to help people get back into the workplace and there's a duel role for us here - firstly, with the person looking for work and, secondly, with the employer."

She organises seminars for local employers, designed to inform them about their obligations on training and education in relation to mental illness, and trying to break down the stigma still associated with mental illness.

The centre itself provides invaluable social contact, helping people to break out of the isolation that mental illness can create.

To that end dedicated volunteers help with group activities such as the rambling and arts groups, swimming and cooking.

For the future Pat and Mandy see more and more work being done to integrate users into the community in order to facilitate their rehabilitation and recovery and help them achieve their potential.