COLLEGE courses are helping people with mental health problems get back on track.

The Bridging the Gap programme offers flexible courses including crafts, yoga, cookery and swimming, with no questions asked if you skip the odd class when you're not feeling up to it.

Almost 250 people enrolled on the special Preston College courses leading to around 40 students joining a mainstream class.

Mental health link worker Carol Baron: "There's no pressure, and they give the student more confidence, self esteem and a chance to start afresh with a new social circle."

Joan Chapman from Fulwood suffered five years of depression but decided to claw her life back when she hit an all-time low. She said: "My quality of life was nil.

"I lost all motivation and energy to even do basic things to look after myself.

"I started a course writing a CV about myself and realised I'd achieved a lot

" I felt like giving up several times but I stuck at it and got my assertiveness and self worth back."

Joan is now doing a mainstream hair and beauty course at the college on St Vincent's Road.

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