The Prince of Wales visited a mental health charity supporting rural communities.
Prince William attended a session by Norfolk and Waveney Mind at Anmer Social Club to learn more about an outreach project.
Lee Dade, of Mind, said, “What we deliver into our communities is really important for people who are socially isolated. I got a sense of feeling that the prince really understands that, and what it’s like for people that live in these rural, isolated areas.”
Norfolk and Waveney Mind started a two-year pilot programme in 2025, focusing on proactive and preventative support for the whole community, including people who work and live on the Sandringham estate.
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- Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
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- Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
Businessman Paul Gannon, who had received support, said, “My experience is that Mind has become a sort of family. I’m very isolated up here, my family are elsewhere and, yes, they’ve been very useful. I’ve had PTSD issues which have really come back to haunt me, and it’s good to be able to talk, not just go on to anti-depressants and things like that, to actually [talk] to real people, caring people and people you trust.”
Kayleigh Armager, the rural mental health co-ordinator for the project, said, “There’s also a stigma – that can be a generational thing – of ‘how could I possibly go and talk about that to somebody else? That’s why I’m here, based in such a safe space in these communities where people feel safe and can come and have those difficult conversations if they feel they want to.”
Prince William then headed to Norwich to learn more about the work of Norfolk Blood Bikes. They deliver blood, plasma, breast milk and medical equipment to the NHS and air ambulances. A new car had been funded, which was named after Prince William.
Chairman Sandy Gurley said, “He was very gracious in meeting quite a number of our volunteers and helping understand the work that they do, the commitment they have to the charity and what it means to them to be part of this organisation. We also took part in a genuine run from the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital to deliver blood to the air ambulance at Norwich Airport. Today we just had a very, very special guest as a ride-along visitor.”
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