A leading mental health charity has moved in to a desperately-needed new centre in Chelmsford - thanks to an article in the Essex Chronicle

Services provided by the Dove Centre run Chelmsford and District MIND, which has been established in Chelmsford for 20 years, were under threat as the charity could not find suitable premises when the lease for its base in Broomfield Road ran out.

The crisis was highlighted in a story in the Essex Chronicle earlier this year and as a result new premises have been found in Sadlers House, in Legg Street, behind Chelmsford Cathedral.

Sue Haynes, centre manager "We are delighted that thanks to the feature in the Essex Chronicle the Dove Centre has a new home. We urgently needed to find somewhere, as we had to move out of our premises in Broomfield Road and just could not find a suitable alternative.

"After the story appeared the West Ham Central Mission approached us to offer the first floor at Sadlers House.

"It is an ideal place in a lovely peaceful but central location. It has given us more space, with extra rooms and we have been able to plan the layout to our own specification."

The services provided by Chelmsford and District MIND include counselling, support, information and advice, therapeutic group work, an eating disorder service, carers support, mental health education, a Sunday lunch club, and a variety of creative and social activities.

There are currently vacancies at the Sunday lunch club and anyone interested in the club or any of the other services can contact the Dove Centre on 01245 345083.

Dove delight: Helen Ephraim, a long-serving volunteer and supporter of the Dove Centre run by Chelmsford and District MIND is pictured cutting a ribbon to mark the opening of new premises for the charity. Pictured with her is Professor Chris Green, chairman of the charity and left, Sue Haynes, Dove Centre manager.

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