Dorset Community Foundation gives £725k for mental health

The Dorset Community Foundation has awarded more than £725,000 to 22 groups whose work helps prevent people developing serious mental health problems.

The Community Wellbeing and Mental Health fund, run in collaboration with NHS Dorset and Community Action Network (CAN), was set up to support groups running community based, non-clinical services and activities that help adults improve their wellbeing and mental health and assist those living with mental health conditions to aid their recovery.

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It is designed to reduce pressure on the NHS and complement the Access Wellbeing programme, a new way of delivering mental health and wellbeing services in Dorset, in partnership with the NHS, councils and the voluntary and community sector.

Dorset Community Foundation chief executive Grant Robson said: “This fund has been a major piece of work for us and we are delighted that, because of our expert knowledge of the voluntary sector in Dorset, we’ve been able to deliver a programme alongside CAN that meets NHS Dorset’s objectives.”

Among the recipients is Home-Start Wessex, which will use a £75,200 grant over two years to expand its parental support service into Weymouth and west Dorset.

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The group recruits and trains volunteers and pairs them with parents with children under five who are struggling with mental health, emotional or other issues.

Its volunteers visit once a week to offer practical support and a listening ear, helping parents to become more resilient and build connections in the community. 

Grants partnership manager at Home-Start Wessex, Sally Smith, said: "When a parent is struggling with their mental or emotional health and wellbeing it can disrupt their ability to think clearly, make healthy decisions, and maintain self-care which overtime can lead to severe mental health conditions. 

“By getting into the home quickly, or introducing them to a group, we avert issues from escalating, preventing the need for NHS intervention.”

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In Jolly Good Company has been awarded £29,500 over two years to run its ‘Jolly’ activity days and Step Outside gardening groups for older people (Image: Dorset Community Foundation)

A £79,000 grant over two years to Sexual Trauma and Recovery Services (STARS Dorset) in Dorchester and Poole, will fund an administrator to run a series of support groups for people who have suffered people across the county who have experienced sexual violence or domestic abuse.

The groups will include workshops covering grounding techniques, anxiety management, anchors and trauma response as well as creative sessions. Empowerment groups will look at building on skills and positive thoughts to raise self-esteem, self-confidence and how to establish a self-care practice as part of every day.

Chief executive Helen Stevens said: “Our range of activities will ensure more holistic, wrap-around care for clients, will help build resilience and positive coping strategies building self-esteem, self-confidence and empowering clients to feel in control of their emotional wellbeing.”

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In Jolly Good Company has been awarded £29,500 over two years to run its ‘Jolly’ activity days and Step Outside gardening groups for older people in Wimborne, Blandford, Shaftesbury, Wimborne St Giles and West Moors 

Home-Start Blackmore Vale in Sturminster Newton has been awarded £9,300 to fund its Mothers in Mind peer support group, which offers mums experiencing mental health issues a safe place of comfort and support.

There will be a second application round in the summer for grants up to £10,000.

Find out more about the work of Dorset Community Foundation at dorsetcommunityfoundation.org.