A mental health charity in Oxford is celebrating after securing a £300,000 cash injection to help people in the county navigate the benefits system.

Oxfordshire Mind, based in Walton Street, has launched a five-year project which aims to help 3,000 people in the county.

Project manager David Bryceland told the Oxford Mail the Big Lottery Fund grant was the first of its kind in the county - and he was over the moon.

The new project will enable the charity to employ two new members of staff, launch a volunteer-run telephone helpline and produce an annual guide to benefits.

He said: "The project is another way of expanding the level of contact with people with mental health problems - we are helping people take control.

"We will be offering help and advice across 25 different locations. We want to use this money to get out into the community.

"By the time we usually get to see people they have already exhausted all their savings. "They are no longer able to work and the company has stopped paying them statutory sick pay.

"The biggest problem with the benefits system at the moment is access - it's incredibly difficult and can be a living hell for people with mental health problems."

Mr Bryceland said the five-year project sought to improve benefits uptake in the county by £750,000. However, Mr Bryceland and his team will also be helping people return to work - often impossible without taking advantage of tax credits to help pay rent and council tax.

For information call David Bryceland on 07754 999411 or email david.bryceland@ oxfordshire-mind.org.uk