Families are being offered £600 a week to provide a home for people with mental health issues.

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is looking for people to help provide a halfway house after patients have been released from hospital.

Host families do not need prior experience of mental health, and will complete an induction training course as well as having a designated support worker. They will receive £600 a week for as long as the placement lasts, with the average being three weeks.

Sarah Biggs, crisis assessment and treatment team manager, said: “We screen all the clients to make sure they are suitable for a host family and a support worker visits on a daily basis.

“It’s a great way of providing a safe normal environment and minimising the need for hospital admission. We’re keen to hear from more families across the county."

For more information, ring 07768 13148 or email host.families@hertspartsft.nhs.uk