A PETITION with more than 800 signatures has been handed over in protest against the closure of a mental health Recovery Hub and College.

The service, which has its main base in Victoria Road, Chelmsford, offers courses in getting back to work, understanding a diagnosis and personal development for individuals recovering from mental health problems.

But it will close on June 30 after the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group withdrew funding.

More than 800 people have signed a petition to keep the service open and this was handed over to the Mid Essex CCG by Laura Gray, treasurer of the Mid Essex Recovery College Service User Action Group, outside Braintree Town Hall.

Paul Cook, chairman of the user group, said: “I have put a request to the Board to 'seek to continue funding the College while the matter of the petition is tabled for public debate at the next Public Board Meeting in July.'

“The CCG are considering how to respond.

“As closure is due to happen on 30th of June, we believe this is the only way in which a democratic debate and proper consultation with service-users and the public can take place by extending the life of the college for another term (three months) to secure the intellectual capital and resources of the college while its future is decided and perhaps to give us all time to seek alternative funding through sponsorship or donation or further health service contributions.'

"SUAG will continue to oppose closure and seek an alternative solution.

“We are committed to protecting the rights of the service-users (students) and the public interest."

The Chair of Mid Essex CCG, Dr Caroline Dollery, said: “The CCG is aware that members of the public have expressed significant concern over the proposed closure of the Recovery College and received a petition of some 800 signatures at our Board meeting last week.

“As the CCGs Standing Orders state, the Board has a duty to consider this item and respond to it at our next public Board meeting which is set to take place on July 29th.

“We realise this means there will be a gap between the pilot scheme ending on June 30th and our Board meeting in July so we are currently discussing with other partners whether there may be the opportunity to provide any continuity between now and then.”