A new club has been formed providing a place for former psychiatric unit patients to meet informally.

On June 1 Open Door Friendship Group will be officially unveiled by Eleanor Laing MP at St Michaels and All Angels Church in Loughton.

Formed by carers and service users, the club aims to plug a gap in community mental health provision and to give vulnerable, isolated adults a safe place to meet each week.

It has been modelled on 'Safe Haven' clubs run by the Surrey Heath Trust, which have been shown to keep members from returning to hospital.

Paula Wilson, the group's chairman, said: "When you have been discharged from an acute psychiatric ward in our area there are no such places to meet informally.

"You leave hospital having been in contact with people for 24 hours, seven days a week to return sometimes to your home alone.

"This can prove too much of a contrast and quite quickly people find themselves back in hospital as there is no other choice.

"We are aiming to stop that cycle of events by providing this much needed social and inclusive club. When our members feel down or alone they will have something to look forward to.

"They will meet people and establish friendships which could enable them to meet at other times."

The club has received enough funding from the Lottery, Epping Forest District Council and Essex Community Foundation to keep going for two years.

It will meet once a week on a Friday from 3.30pm o 5.30pm.

Email opendoorfriendship@gmail.com to find out more.