The High Sheriff of Gloucestershire has thrown her support behind Gloucestershire Counselling Service's work with children and families during Mental Health Awareness Week.

This year's campaign is highlighting the increased need for supporting mental and emotional wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic.

For many the lockdown is presenting serious pressures without social contact and support structures, together with uncertainty of how things will develop and what the world will look like as time goes on is very unknown.

For young people who are prone to anxiety this can be very debilitating.

Parents are also facing a huge task in managing their own mental health with children home all day and having to home school, many while coping with loss of income.

GCS has responded quickly to maintain their services which are being offered online and over the phone with no waiting list for anyone seeking counselling.

High Sheriff Helen Lovatt said: "My hope is that as we prepare for the new normal, the next pandemic is one of kindness.

"It is reassuring that Gloucestershire is blessed with such a professional service as GCS supporting those facing the challenges of mental health issues.

"I am shining a spotlight on the consequences of childhood traumas, to show that through forming trusted relationships, the potential negative outcomes can be transformed into positive ones.

"I am sure that GCS's services are an integral part of putting those foundations of trust in place, through kindness and compassion."