STAFF at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust have been collecting food to donate to vulnerable families and individuals over Christmas.

The Trust's finance team and staff on Meadowview ward, both based at Thurrock Community Hospital, have been supporting a local foodbank.

The finance team collected store cupboard essentials and festive treats for the Thurrock Foodbank's centre at St John the Baptist Church in Tilbury.

Janet Brown, Specialist Services Finance Business Partner, said: "Hopefully we can spread some Christmas happiness to families that need some extra support."

Staff at Meadowview ward have also been collecting donations for Thurrock Foodbank. The ward collects donations from staff at Thurrock Community Hospital all year round to send to the foodbank.

The Trust (EPUT) provides community health, mental health and learning disability services across Essex, Luton and Bedfordshire and Suffolk.