EALING is to continue providing an out-of-hours drop-in service for adults with mental health problems, following concerns by users of the Solace Centre.

Solace operates out of a space in the council-owned Marron House, West Ealing.

The rest of Marron House is currently leased to a charity called London Cyrenians, which provides supported housing for residents with serious mental health issues.

The council’s decision-making cabinet agreed last night to reconfigure part of Marron House.

It plans to free up an area in the main building that has garden access for the out-of-hours service and transforming the area Solace currently occupies into two extra homes for vulnerable young people.

Many of the Marron House residents are also members of the Solace Centre and the move will allow the council to deliver a linked service on one site. If the plans go ahead, the new drop-in service will start operating next April.

Ealing will now begin discussions with Solace Centre users and Marron House residents so the new service can be tailored to meet their needs.

Cllr Hitesh Tailor, cabinet member for health and adult services, said: “I am pleased we have found a workable solution that allows the service to stay open while making essential savings. It shows the benefits of working creatively and collaboratively with local organisations.

“Keeping the service at Marron House makes logistical sense and it’s what members of the Solace Centre told us they wanted.

“There is a significant crossover in people who use both services, and having them in the same building will be more efficient and effective.

“This proposal also allows for the creation of two extra housing units, saving money on expensive out-of-borough placements. This all contributes towards the £96m in savings we have to find.”