A MENTAL health service is launching another vital addiction support café.

Staff and volunteers from Futures in Mind are opening the new Maldon group at the popular Suzie’s Gift and Tea Shop, which already hosts weekly coffee meet-ups for the lonely.

The service supports those across Essex with mental health issues and drug and alcohol misuse.

Kerry Page, Futures in Mind’s service co-ordinator, said: “The new Welcome Café will be vital for the community and will allow people to build a routine and a sense of purpose whilst learning social skills and building an encouraging and caring network.”

Welcome Cafés offer a safe and comforting place for people to share experiences and offer support to one another.

The service is a partnership between Phoenix Futures, Mind in West Essex and Mid and North East Essex Mind and is the first to combine both mental ill health and alcohol misuse.

The Welcome Café will be open every Wednesday from 10am until noon.

Suzie’s Gift and Tea shop offers creative workshops and is a growing part of the community.

For more information, visit futuresinmind.org.uk.