A mental health charity has been given a new dedicated space in Dorset to provide support and services through ecotherapy workshops.

Transition Town Dorchester has welcomed Dorset Mind to take up space based at its Community Farm in Poundbury.

This will allow the charity to deliver its Eco in Mind ecotherapy support and activities for people wanting to improve their wellbeing.

The charities have long-term plans to deliver a range of outdoor activities at the farm for the next five to 10 years. They will also work directly with schools, groups and organisations for bespoke sessions which will include sowing seeds, planting fruit and vegetables as well as creating wildlife habitats. 

Kate Forrester, Secretary and Fundraiser for Transition Town Dorchester, said: “Dorset Mind is an eagerly anticipated partner for the TTD Community Farm, where we encourage our own volunteers and others to enjoy the health benefits of spending time in the natural surroundings of the Community Orchard and Food Grow, whilst learning about and practising permaculture sustainable farming methods.

“We are also keen to support Eco in Mind’s initiative to provide freshly grown food produce for Dorchester Community Church, to help people in need who may not be able to participate at the Farm themselves.”

The initial preparations to set up the space began in March 2024 following a planned design, with the first group activities already commencing.

Dorset Mind’s session facilitator, Georgia Woollard, will be working with new farm coordinator Michelle Markham to support the partnership as it develops.

Georgia said: “I’m thrilled to be sharing a space with Transition Town in Dorchester, with a long-term view for plans over the next five or 10 years.

"This will allow us to cultivate the land and learn what grows well. The site is on a bus route which also makes it accessible to people from different towns and villages in the surrounding area.”

Dorset Mind’s Patron and Principal Academic at Bournemouth University, Dr Andy Mayers says: “I am delighted to see this new Eco in Mind partnership with Transition Town Dorchester. At this time of increasing concerns over the environment, it is refreshing to see a project that uses sustainable farming to promote wellbeing through ecotherapy.”

The Mind Team will be delivering sessions for adults on Mondays between 11.45am to 12.45pm and Thursdays between 10am to 11am. 

Transition Town Dorchester is a non-profit organisation that has had a volunteer managed Community Farm project on Duchy land within Poundbury since 2010

To learn more about Transition Town Dorchester Community Farm and Dorset Mind’s Eco in Mind service - and how to provide support or get involved in their activities, you can find further information at: http://transitiontowndorchester.org/ and https://dorsetmind.uk/.