A COMMUNITY centre which helps to build confidence and improve mental wellbeing is set to hold an official opening ceremony.

The Dovercourt and Harwich Hub, in High Street, Dovercourt, offers support including occupational therapy, training, language courses, counselling and dementia therapy.

Community Voluntary Services Tendring (CVST) spent more than a year transforming a former estate agents before opening to the public.

Director Sharon Alexander said: “The hub continues to grow and develop by thinking differently by empowering people to take the lead.

“Now it has a welcoming and non-judgemental culture embedded into its services, so that people feel safe and happy to access or develop activities from the centre.

“All of this was achieved from working collaboratively with community partners and thanks to the support from Harwich Town Council, Tendring Council, Essex Council and Harwich and Dovercourt Rotary Club.”

James Bettley, High Sherriff of Essex, Tendring Council chairman Dan Land and CVST chairman Brenda Ellis will officiate the opening.

In 2015, CVST undertook a “community health needs” assessment of Dovercourt and Harwich.

The report was published in 2016 and highlighted gaps in health-related provision in the area.

Recommendations were made and the report emphasised the need to develop activities that would support people to live healthier, more independent lives and better manage their health conditions.

One of the recommendations was a central point, where people could access information, join activities and volunteer.

The building and its refurbishment were funded by a grant from Colchester Catalyst Charity.

A registration day for the physical activities on offer at the hub will run from 10am until 3pm on Monday.