Business Details
34 Years
experience
Your Trusted Mental Health Charity in Dorchester
Established in 1992, we are a values-driven charity dedicated to transforming mental health understanding and promoting social justice across Dorset. Our work is rooted in lived experience expertise, which we harness to influence service design, challenge stigma, and foster community-led solutions. Guided by principles of honesty, courage, compassion, and integrity, we collaborate with individuals, organisations, and systems to create sustainable change. Through recovery education, crisis support, advocacy, and employment initiatives, we empower people to reclaim their narratives and shape a more inclusive society.Our 30-year journey demonstrates that meaningful progress occurs when professional expertise and lived experience work in partnership. We maintain transparency in operations, evidenced by our public reporting and formal partnerships with NHS trusts. With thousands of individuals positively impacted through our projects, we continue evolving to meet emerging mental health challenges while staying true to our founding mission of making mental health understanding everyone's responsibility.
Services
Recovery Education
Crisis Support
Advocacy Services
Employment Support
Social Connection
Youth Mental Health
Carer Support
Community Projects
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- We have 30 years of experience in mental health advocacy and service transformation
- Our work is guided by lived experience expertise and professional partnerships
- We offer holistic support through recovery education, crisis intervention, and employment programmes
- We maintain transparency through public reporting and Charity Commission registration
- Our community-focused approach builds local capacity for sustainable mental health improvements
Services
Recovery Education
Our Recovery Education programmes provide structured learning about mental health experiences and recovery pathways. Through workshops and training sessions, participants gain understanding of emotional distress, develop coping strategies, and explore personal recovery journeys. The service empowers individuals to navigate their mental health challenges with greater confidence and self-awareness.
Crisis Support
Crisis Support offers a safe, non-judgmental space for individuals experiencing acute mental health distress. Our trained support workers provide emotional reassurance, practical assistance, and connection to longer-term support networks. This service helps people navigate difficult moments while maintaining dignity and personal agency throughout the crisis period.
Advocacy Services
Our Advocacy team helps individuals assert their rights and navigate mental health care systems. We provide support with care planning, complaint resolution, and decision-making processes. This service ensures people can voice their needs effectively and maintain control over their treatment and recovery pathways.
Employment Support
Employment Support assists individuals in finding meaningful work opportunities that match their abilities and recovery goals. We offer career guidance, workplace adjustments advice, and confidence-building support. This service helps people achieve financial independence while maintaining mental wellbeing through purposeful activity.
Social Connection
Social Connection initiatives create inclusive spaces for people to build supportive relationships and reduce isolation. Through group activities and peer support networks, participants develop social skills, share experiences, and create a sense of belonging within their local communities.
Questions
What mental health services do you offer?
We provide recovery education, crisis support, advocacy, employment assistance, and social connection activities tailored to individual needs.
How can I get involved with your organisation?
You can join as a member, volunteer, or participate in our community projects and training programmes.
Do you accept donations?
Yes, voluntary donations help sustain our vital mental health support services and community initiatives.
Can I share my mental health story with you?
We welcome personal stories to help shape our services and promote understanding through lived experience.
Are your services available across Dorset?
Our mental health support services operate county-wide with both in-person and online access options.
How do you work with statutory services?
We partner with NHS trusts and local authorities through formal agreements to co-design mental health services.
Reviews (2)
Anth Parker
Jan 16, 2021
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I went to many of the classes and benefited. I then became a volunteer for about a year. I then applied for a post with a glowing CV.. No response.. I phoned.. No response!! I chased my application.. No response. They seem very happy to have free help! I gave my all! And spent lots of my own money on materials to help others to be creative! I never had a thank you.... Such a shame for a program that claims to offer support....
Karina Young
Nov 06, 2019
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The staff are lovely, very knowledgeable about mental health and the help there is in the local areas. Provide a lot of services that are useful for working through difficulties surrounding mental health.
