A COLCHESTER-based NHS group has secured almost £1.8 million to help hundreds of people with mental health problems to get into work.

The cash for the three-year scheme, called Heads Up, has come from the Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund.

The project will provide support and practical advice for people who have been unemployed for a long time but now hoping to return to work or training.

Susannah Howard, director of Enable East, said: "Heads Up has been developed using the experience that we have had at Enable East and also among our delivery partners to ensure that what we are offering is a solution to what is an identified need based on experience and best practice.

"We know that suffering from a mental health problem can often mean that people lose the confidence and resilience to apply for and to sustain employment.

"That is why we will address those issues as well as providing practical support with job searching, obtaining a position and continuing support once a job has been secured."

Organisations such as Employ-Ability, Signpost, North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and Realise Futures will also help users.

People who want to take part in the scheme can either refer themselves or be referred by other organisations in Essex.

For more information on the scheme, due to begin early next year, go to enableeast.org.uk.