A NEW mental health centre for Tendring will open its doors for the first time this week.

The Mental Health Hub has been set up by the Tendring branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).

More than 40 people turned up to a special meeting to find out more about the one-year pilot project, which aims to improve the lives and opportunities of many residents.

The idea is to carry out “holistic assessments” of people with mental ill health taking into account all the various factors behind their situation and point them in the right direction for help.

The initiative is also expected to generate savings for the public purse.

Linda Isaac, chief executive of CAB Tendring, told the meeting in Sam’s Hall, Clacton, that it was impossible to assess the full demand in advance.

“We will start taking referrals from May 5 and we will see who comes in when we open up the doors on that day,” she said.

“The hub will operate five days a week all year round and will also provide safe and supported volunteering opportunities for those with a mental health issue to gain skills, have social contact, and make friends.

“It will help them make progress towards employment and mainstream volunteering.”

Research shows 70 per cent of people who suffer from mental ill-health are single and live on their own without family or friends and are socially isolated.

The hub will be based in the former Blockbuster site in Old Road, Clacton, from Monday to Friday, with opening hours of 10am to 4pm.

A further part of the project will be a community shop, using the model from the successful Winter Warmers pop-up shop.

It will be staffed mainly by volunteers experiencing mental ill health.

Tendring Council has handed the CAB £20,000 to go towards the project.

The Tendring Mental Health Hub is backed by members of the Tendring Health and Wellbeing Board who include, among others, Essex County Council Public Health, NHS England and CVS Tendring.

Funding for the project has also been secured from Essex County Council Transformation Award and the police and crime commissioner.