A new pilot project in north east Essex is improving support for people with complex mental health needs by bringing lived experience directly into NHS community teams.
A one-year pilot has launched in Colchester and Tendring to help people with severe and complex mental health needs stay connected with services and get the right support at the right time.
The project introduces peer support workers – people with lived experience of mental health challenges – into NHS community mental health assertive outreach teams. These teams focus on reaching people who find it difficult to engage with traditional services, by offering support in places where they feel safe and building consistent, trusting relationships.
Peer support strengthens this approach by helping people feel understood rather than managed. Using their own experiences, peer workers build trust, reduce barriers, and offer hope, supporting recovery beyond symptoms and helping to prevent mental health crises.
The pilot is funded through NHS health and care funding and delivered in partnership by Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) and local charity SUMMIT. SUMMIT’s aim is to advocate for residents in the Tendring area who may be living with a mental health illness or long-term health condition.
Peer support workers provide intensive, personalised support alongside clinicians, typically over three to six months, or longer where needed. This includes regular phone, text, and face-to-face contact, attending appointments, and helping people engage with GP services, benefits, housing support, and community activities. The aim is to build confidence, promote independence, and reduce the risk of future crises.
Early results are very positive, showing 100% patient engagement, support provided for financial and benefits issues, and no hospital readmissions or unnecessary A&E attendances to date.
Patients have experienced improvements in wellbeing and recovery, including earlier identification of physical health concerns, greater confidence, and stronger social connections, particularly for those who had previously been isolated.
In one example, a peer support worker noticed early warning signs of a physical health problem in a patient who wasn’t regularly attending appointments. They acted quickly, helping the patient get medical care, which led to early detection of a serious condition and prevented it from getting worse.
Another patient with autism, anxiety, and depression has gained confidence to leave her home, join peer support groups, explore new hobbies, and reconnect with others – making progress toward goals that once seemed impossible.
The pilot has highlighted the importance of early intervention, stable housing, and strong partnership working for people with the most complex needs. SUMMIT delivers the project as part of its established peer support service, drawing on its strong links with local charities and community groups to connect people with wider support alongside NHS care.
Paul Scott, Chief Executive of EPUT, said: “We are proud to be part of this innovative pilot, which brings people with lived experience directly into our community mental health assertive outreach teams. Peer workers offer a unique connection that helps patients stay engaged with their care, build confidence, and access the support they need.”
Gaynor Jarrett, CEO of SUMMIT, said: “Peer workers play a vital role in supporting people with complex mental health needs, using their own experiences to build trust and break down barriers. By working closely with NHS teams and community services, we can help prevent crises and support people to live more independently.”
The project supports local priorities to improve mental health care, reduce health inequalities, and help people stay well in their communities. The pilot will run throughout 2026,with ongoing evaluation to assess its impact and explore how lived experience can be embedded more widely within specialist NHS teams.