Andrew Mitchell MP has met with Gary Underwood, the founder of anxiety and depression support initiative Social Eyes, to discuss how the community project has been able to expand its services through recent successful Lottery Funding. Social Eyes has been awarded £4,531 by the Big Lottery Fund which has allowed them to create a support network for people suffering with social anxiety and depression. The grant has also allowed them to expand services to young people in schools helping increase awareness of mental health issues. Sutton’s MP was given a tour of the meeting space and facilities used by Social Eyes, which is run by volunteers at the Our Place Community Hub on Fathing Lane. Mr Underwood discussed the importance of having a safe and supporting environment for social anxiety and depression sufferers to express themselves and meet others with similar problems. After the meeting Andrew Mitchell said “I have been very impressed by the work Gary is doing with Social Eyes and the other volunteers at the Our Place Community Hub. Projects such as Social Eyes are vital for allowing mental health sufferers to support one another. I am grateful to the Big Lottery Fund for supporting this valuable initiative in Sutton”. Photo: Andrew Mitchell MP and Gary Underwood, founder of Social Eyes