A PARISH nursing project in one of the country’s most deprived areas helped to save the lives of people driven to despair through Covid, some of its clients have said.

The project, which employs one part-time nurse and one volunteer nurse, is based at St Matthew’s, Sheffield, and also sets up a stall in a market three days a week. There has been increased demand over the past 12 months.

Many of those who come for support have mental-health issues, and Sheffield City Council has offered some funds towards employing a third registered nurse to specialise in this area.

Michaela Suckling works three days a week for the project. She said: “We’ve seen a lot more people at the start of this year than we did last year. There’s been an increase in people having crisis issues and not knowing where to go. We’ve been much busier than we expected, but we know we’re reaching the right people at the right time.

“We really want a mental-health nurse, as a lot of what we’re seeing is related to mental-health issues. Some people said the project’s saved their lives; they would have taken their own lives through Covid because they felt so lonely and desperate. They found it helpful to come and talk things through with us, and having that contact who will support them.

“We have the market stall and people who go out on the street, and they help with basic things that make a difference and build that trust. For example, giving people a mobile phone so they can get in touch with drug and alcohol or mental-health services when they need to.

“One person was placed in a hotel through Covid and lost contact with his daughter, because he didn’t have a phone. His drug worker got in touch with us, and we provided a phone, and he rang the next day thanking us for giving him hope and purpose; he’s now clean of drugs and doing really well.”

The project is also looking for more volunteers, so that they can open the market stall every day.

One client, Adrian, said: “The parish nurses are very regular and check my blood pressure regularly, which is important. I live in a council flat, and Michaela rang to help sort a survey of the building. It’s not just medical things, it’s practical things that can really help.”

Parish nurses offer health advice and support on physical and mental-health issues, and will also offer spiritual support where appropriate.

The project is funded by support from several trusts, as well as the diocese of Sheffield and the National Lottery Community Fund.