It's been a year since a vital mental health service launched in Dereham - and the parents behind its creation have announced that it has raised the funds to keep it going next year.

Tracy and George Rae launched The Listening Post last December in memory of their son, Jordie, who took his own life in 2017 at the age of 28.

The support scheme, which forms part of the nationwide Shout initiative, allows people to text 'LP' to 85258, and obtain free, confidential support from a trained volunteer.

Dereham Times: Tracey and George Rae with Love Dereham chairman Keith Mersh (left) and Dereham Baptist Church volunteer Lyn Milns (second from right)Tracey and George Rae with Love Dereham chairman Keith Mersh (left) and Dereham Baptist Church volunteer Lyn Milns (second from right) (Image: Newsquest)

Since it started, 153 people have used The Listening Post - with Monday being the most common day that texts are sent.

“We are very happy with how it has gone, we couldn’t have asked for much more,” the couple said.

“We would rather see no calls, but we hope that everyone who has contacted us is either coming through or got through their battle and is out the other side.”

Dereham Times: Jordie Rae was well known across the Dereham areaJordie Rae was well known across the Dereham area (Image: Archant)

The service costs £5,000 to run, which has been raised through donations and fundraising events - and the pair will continue to fundraise in 2024 to keep the lights on for as long as possible.

The Listening Post was originally the brainchild of Dereham Baptist Church volunteer Lyn Milns, who has long had a strong relationship with the town's youth - including Jordie.

“I have been overwhelmed by how it has all gone, I've dreamed of having something like this in Dereham for 14 years,” she said.

Dereham Times: Mr and Mrs Rae, alongside Mrs Milns, and with the help of Love Dereham launched the text service for people in Dereham called The Listening PostMr and Mrs Rae, alongside Mrs Milns, and with the help of Love Dereham launched the text service for people in Dereham called The Listening Post (Image: The Listening Post)

“We tried to create a place which would be open late at night, so if anyone was struggling they could come and chat with us, unfortunately, that never became a reality, and then when Jordie, sadly passed, I formed the relationship with Tracey and George, they took the vision I had and helped me move it forward."

Anyone outside of Dereham who needs mental health support can text 'shout' to 85258.