A free of charge mental health service has no waiting list and can help people on the Isle of Wight - including a call-back within 24 hours. 

Vicki Haworth, a former NHS nurse, is the co-founder of the Newport-based Isorropia Foundation.

She has given a podcast interview about the importance of early intervention, living with depression on an Island and how working in a group can help Islanders struggling with their mental health. 

Vicki spoke with ex-Sky New correspondent Harriet Hadfield, host of The Island Stories Podcast. 

Isorropia Foundation has a five-year contract with the NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board to provide a holistic wellbeing service, mostly via group therapy and workshops.

Anyone who fears their mental health is declining can self-refer to the team of specially trained nurses and wellbeing coaches. 

Vicki told the podcast: “We are that bridge between somebody seeing their GP and feeling like things are going downhill but not actually quite needing to be on medication… we are there to try and prevent people from becoming more unwell.”

The team looks after up to 2,000 people a year, with an active caseload of 300 at any one time - but there is currently no waiting list for people to get the support they need. 

Vicki said: “If somebody contacts us… they will get a call back within 24 hours, be assessed within a week and they can be on the programme within two weeks.”

The foundation has a new base on the former Medina Valley Centre site in Newport. 

Vicki said: “It just feels so therapeutic being here, it's peaceful, it’s beautiful, with the water and surrounded by woodland… And we were so fortunate, we moved here in September and we just haven’t been able to believe our luck.”

Vicki used to run NHS mental health services on the Island and is passionate about early intervention in helping people avoid more severe illness.

“One of the things that used to frustrate me about the NHS is that if people had got the help earlier, they might never have ended up needing a bed in hospital or needing to go onto medication - so a big passion of mine when I worked for the NHS was to tap into other ways of keeping people well.”

Harriet Hadfield, podcast host, said: “This is one of our best-ever episodes and is a must-listen if you or anyone you know is struggling with their mental health.

“We are really proud of it and can’t wait to share Vicki’s story with our growing number of listeners both on and off the Island.”

Want to contact Isorropia? Call 01983 217791 or email hello@isorropia.uk. Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

To speak to someone urgently call Samaritans -116 123 24 hour support, every day of the year www.samaritans.org