A woman who has lived in south-east London throughout her life has set up a community listening initiative for those who feel at a low ebb.

Nana Anto-Awuakye, who has previously worked for BBC Radio 4 and 5, wanted to create a space for people who might be suffering in silence.

The idea was inspired by Nana's own experience of walking into a cafe when she had a young son and just wanted to speak to someone but who also didn't want to 'medicalise' how she was feeling.

Nana was given a table at The Good Hope Cafe in Ladywell, where she started Simply Listening, but the cafe has had to close down because of unforeseen circumstances.

However, Nana has been in contact with Crofton Park library which has agreed to host Simply Listening this Thursday (January 24) between 10am and 3.30pm, with the hope of it becoming a regular agreement.

Nana told News Shopper: "On the first day one person showed up, the second was two or three and the latest was around five or six.

"I want it to keep growing so that someone can walk in and say 'I am off to the supermarket, but I am also having this problem' because not everyone wants to go to the doctors to feel good and just want to have a chat with someone not a family member."

Nana has many friends and family who have experience working in NHS, who have been supporting her training.

She became a mentor with BME PR Pros, which has helped to reinforce listening skills, and she has also signed up to be a mental health first aider.

She said: "I would describe myself as being an excellent listener, but it was only when I did the training, did I realise, that listening to every word someone speaks, and not jumping in to ask a question, to problem solve, and not filling the silent void with your own thoughts, is in fact one of the most demanding things I've ever done."

Nana's next step will be finding more volunteers so that Simply Listening can branch out to all cafes in Ladywell and Brockley, so people know there is a safe place to walk into.

Simply Listening is currently being registered as a charity, so it can apply for funding.

Keep up-to-date with Nana on Twitter at @Simplylistenin1or Simplylistening1 on Instagram.