An advocacy service for people suffering mental health problems has been saved from closure following an appeal in the Telegraph & Argus.

The service for those in black and minority ethnic communities (BMEs) was facing the axe last year due to lack of funding.

However, additional funds have now been secured from two independent, grant-making charitable organisations, Evans Cornish and Lankelley Chase.

The money will enable the service to continue for a further three years.

Advocate Mohammed Amin, who set up the service in May 2009, said: “I would like to thank the T&A for supporting our appeal back in August 2011. Following on from this I would like to extend my gratitude to these two funders, Evans Cornish and Lankelley Chase for saving this vital service.

“The funding will ensure that service is continued on a part-time basis 16 hours per week for the first year and 11 hours per week for the next two years.

“In these tough economic times where people are worried about their jobs and housing we are seeing increased need for mental health support services. This applies more to people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and from the BME communities who are more likely to be sectioned in hospitals.

“In addition to this, people from minority ethnic communities may also experience racism and discrimination. Ensuring that service user voices are heard and their rights are protected, the service will address and reduce language and cultural barriers that act to discriminate against BME service users.

“It is important that mainstream services are culturally appropriate and address the different needs of BME communities.

“Our service aims to work within communities to raise awareness and understanding of mental ill health and challenge discriminatory practice in the provision of mental health services.

“For BME communities, advocacy is not only concerned with addressing the power inequalities in the relationship with mental health services but more broadly with achieving equality and social justice within society.”

If anyone is aware of any addition financial support the service could access, they are asked to call (01274) 770118.

The service was set up in 2009 by Bradford and Airedale Mental Health Advocacy Group with funding from the Tudor Trust, an independent grant-making trust.