THE pandemic has put a lot of extra pressure on people’s mental health - but one kind-hearted young woman from Trowbridge has done her bit to help.

Kim Bolwell started sending out care packages to provide comfort to others after struggling with her own mental wellbeing during lockdown.

The 23-year-old has made 30 of them over the last few weeks and still has more than 100 applications to sort through. Her pet project has been shared far and wide to hundreds of people on Instagram and TikTok along with other people making their own.

She decided to join the trend after applying for one and discovering that it had unsuitable objects inside. Kim said: “Lockdown really affected me and made my anxiety and depression worse.

“I was worried about my baby catching Covid and I was fully isolated from my partner and my family who I normally see all of the time, it was hard.

“The package I received had sharp things in them that could be used to self-harm, so I decided to do my own. I have a form where people list their conditions, triggers and allergies so that I can make sure what I send is safe for them.

“It helps people to know that someone is out there who does care about them and it might push them to seek help. I’m in a much better place now and I’m hoping to carry on doing this for as long as I can.”

One of her first clients was a TikTok star with more than five million fans, This Trippy Hippie, who asked Kim for things that would calm her down when her tics worsened.

Kim added: “She said it really helped her and was so thankful and got a lot of use out of it. I’m surprised by how quickly this has grown, it’s been crazy and I never expected it.”

Kim has funded most of the packages herself with a bit of help from Tesco and small businesses. To donate money or items on her wishlist, or to apply for a care package, visit @littleboxesofhelp on Instagram.