A project for depressed people celebrates its 20th birthday today and has made an appeal for help to update its base.

The Acorn Centre has been run by the Oxfordshire branch of the mental health charity Mind, at the Cowley Road Community Centre, in Oxford, since April 30, 1985.

Promoting health and well-being rather than concen- trating on illness, the drop-in centre is visited by people for reasons such as anxiety, loneliness, depression, life crisis, lack of confidence, help recovering from a mental illness or because they need someone to talk to.

But after two decades of use, the premises have become shabby and are in need of a makeover. Project manager Beth Brown-Reid, said: "We received £20,000 a few years ago and did up the kitchen, but the rest of the centre is in a bit of state.

"What we would really like to provide is a light, airy place, which will help make them feel better."

Mrs Brown-Reid said there was a particular need for new seating and flooring as well as other materials.

"The chairs we use for discussions are very worn and we would love some new ones, as well as some comfy chairs for a more relaxed, chill-out area," she said.

"And a donation of some new hard-wearing flooring would be fantastic. The same goes for paint for the walls and new blinds for the windows."

Donations of a few hours help would also be very welcome.

The Acorn Centre offers practical help as well as the chance to meet other people with similar problems.

Formal therapeutic groups focus on depression, anxiety management, self-esteem, assertiveness and stress reduction.

If you can offer materials or practical help to the Acorn Centre, please call reporter Debbie Waite at the Oxford Mail on 01865 425428.