A NEW £100,000 mental health “hub” is set to be created in the Tendring district in an effort to improve patients’ lives and save cash.

The Tendring branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), based in Carnarvon Road, Clacton, will run the 12-month pilot project.

It is an attempt to end the “revolving door” that sees people with mental health problems continually discharged and readmitted to hospital.

Organisers are hoping the scheme will help to save councils, the police and the NHS more than £800,000.

The project has been given the go-ahead following grants of £50,000 from Essex County Council, £20,000 from Essex’s police and crime commissioner and £20,000 from Tendring Council.

The hub, which is expected to open in Clacton next month, will take referrals from GPs and the police, and assess patients’ needs.

CAB chief Linda Isaac said: “This is an incredible opportunity for Tendring to fly the flag for an innovative way of working, which could eventually be adopted as a model Essex-wide.

“People with mental health issues are not problems that need to be solved, but people with ambitions and hopes for the future, and a willingness and desire to contribute to society and lead active lives.”

Tendring CAB currently deals with about 270 people each year with mental health problems, helping them with issues such as debt, poverty, housing and relationship problems.

The proposal is backed by members of the Tendring Health and Wellbeing Board.

The project will also see the creation of a community clothes hub staffed mainly by volunteers with mental health issues.