The Listening Place, based at Salisbury Methodist Church in St Edmunds Church Street, celebrated 20 years of service with a cake and a talk on the topic 'Anxiety is a Gift.'

The event, held on Tuesday, September 10, saw manager Sue Robbins recount to attendees the difficulties faced in establishing the service and the founders' determination to create a free, accessible platform for uninterrupted, non-judgmental listening.

The Rev Canon Ann Long, one of the original volunteers or 'Listeners,' talked about following in the footsteps of the late Julia Waters, who was inspired to establish The Listening Place.

Sue Robbins, manager of The Listening Place, told attendees of the event about the origins of the enterpriseSue Robbins, manager of The Listening Place, told attendees of the event about the origins of the enterprise (Image: Supplied)

She described her experience as a privilege and presented Mary Mitchell, who was retiring after 20 years of service, with a gift and flowers.

Caroline Cavanagh, an anxiety specialist, gave a talk in memory of her father entitled 'Anxiety is a Gift.'

The service, which provides free, uninterrupted listening, was set up by the late Julia WatersThe service, which provides free, uninterrupted listening, was set up by the late Julia Waters (Image: Supplied)

She shared three ways to transform anxiety into positive energy: assessing whether the risk is real or imagined; taking small steps outside our comfort zones to challenge perceived risks; and 'flipping' negative thoughts into positive ones.

Ms Cavanagh contended that, given practice, anxiety could be seen as a gift that can be used to train our minds to think positively.

Caroline Cavanagh, guest speaker, was presented with a basket of Fairtrade goods. She gave a talk showing how anxiety could be a gift, by training the mind to think more positivelyCaroline Cavanagh, guest speaker, was presented with a basket of Fairtrade goods. She gave a talk showing how anxiety could be a gift, by training the mind to think more positively (Image: Supplied)

She was thanked for her contribution with a basket of Fairtrade goods presented by Ms Robbins.

The evening concluded with the cutting of the anniversary cake and light refreshments.

The Rev Canon Ann Long was one of the service's original 'Listeners'The Rev Canon Ann Long was one of the service's original 'Listeners' (Image: Supplied)

The Listening Place, based at Salisbury Methodist Church, provides a free, confidential drop-in service on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 10am to 12pm and Monday evenings from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

Appointments can be made by phoning 01722 325 294 during these hours or by leaving a message on the answer phone.

Alternatively, people can email salisburylisteningplace@gmail.com.

For more information, visit www.thelisteningplace.org.uk

Ms Cavanagh is an anxiety specialist who helps people to understand anxiety and to use this knowledge to increase mental resilience and performance.

She is a professional speaker, published author, national award-winning therapist, clinical hypnotherapist, and master NLP practitioner.

More information about Ms Cavanagh is available at www.carolinecavanagh.co.uk