Dorset Mental Health Forum

29/05/2026

Did you know The Retreat in Weymouth is now open six days a week, from Friday to Wednesday. The Retreats are in Bournemouth and Weymouth and offer support for anyone aged 18+ trying to avoid a crisis or feel they have already reached crisis point.
It is up to you how you define this and you don’t need to be referred, these are spaces to pause, to be heard, take stock and reflect 💚

If you are struggling to cope or feel yourself approaching a crisis point, you can attend The Retreat in Bournemouth and Weymouth.

The Weymouth Retreat is now open Friday to Wednesday (closed Thursday) from 4.30-11.30pm and Bournemouth’s Retreat is open every day, from 4.30-11.30pm.

Working in partnership with Dorset Mental Health Forum, The Retreat provide a safe space for anyone aged 18 or above to seek face-to-face help and support from registered mental health practitioners and peer specialists with lived experience.

Find out more: https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/retreat

The Retreat

28/05/2026

and might be nearly over but our weekly walking groups run year round! If you fancy a stroll and a cafe stop in Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, Weymouth or Portland then take a look at our regular walk days: https://www.dorsetmentalhealthforum.org.uk/be-connected/social-connection
Active Dorset LiveWell Dorset

26/05/2026

Our Dorset Recovery Education Centre face to face courses have spaces available in June/July - enrol and book today to start (or continue) your learning journey! All courses are FREE and are run by a clinical trainer and a Forum peer with lived experience, all in a supportive safe space.

Current availability in:

Please share as we love to see as many folk as possible coming along and benefiting 💚

Each term we run over 20 courses face to face across Dorset in libraries, church halls and other community spaces.

"I felt comfortable from the moment I arrived" and "The space felt safe, accepting and full of understanding" are just two of the lovely comments we have received from our students after they attended a face to face course.

In the second half of our Summer Term, we have places available on the following face to face courses:

🌤️Early Warning Signs in Portland on 10 June
🌤️Navigating Change in Christchurch on 11 & 18 June
🌤️OCD - Ruminations, Compulsions & Obsessions in Weymouth on 23 & 30 June
🌤️Self-Management in Bridport on 7 July
🌤️Valuing Ourselves as Carers and Supporters in Shaftesbury on 7 July
🌤️Anxiety in Blandford on 9 July
🌤️Our Mental Health in Sherborne on 14 July

If you are already enrolled with us as a student and haven't fully booked your courses for this term, just give us a call on 01202 584478 or email dhc.recovery.educationcentre@nhs.net to find out more.

Would like to register and enrol? Take a look at our website https://ow.ly/aYUF50Z3cOx for full information on how to become a student with us.

22/05/2026

Need to speak to someone, and make sense of how you are feeling? Want to help someone close to you? Prefer to speak to someone outside of your family and friends circle? There are options open for urgent mental health advice and guidance throughout the year including this Bank Holiday weekend:

📞 Call
Connection (all ages, for anyone living in or visiting Dorset): 0800 652 0190
Samaritans: 116 123

📱 Text
Shout: Text SHOUT to 85258

🙋 Face‑to‑face and virtual support (18+)
The Retreat – Bournemouth (daily) and Weymouth (Fridays-Wednesdays)
Community Front Rooms (Thursdays-Sundays) – Shaftesbury, Bridport and Dorchester

No one should go through difficult moments alone 💚

21/05/2026

Our next pop up sees us heading to the north of the county this June - come and say hello to our team outside Waitrose & Partners Sherborne!

📅 Monday 8 June | 10am–1pm
📍 Waitrose Sherborne, Cheap Street

Speak with our peer team to explore how connection supports your Wellbeing and Recovery. Discover our Sports and Social by Dorset Mental Health Forum regular activities programme, and Dorset Recovery Education Centre courses with a focus on building community and belonging.

If you cant make it on the day why not come along to our weekly cafe social, every Tuesday morning in Oliver's Coffee House.

We'd love to see you there! 💚

20/05/2026

Please take a few minutes to participate in this survey from our NHS Dorset and Access Wellbeing Hubs partners, around mental health support in Dorset. Please also share where you can 💚

Where would you turn for mental health support?

Dorset has a wide range of free mental health services but people don’t always know they’re there or who they’re for.

We want to change that.

Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey and help us understand:
• What people know about local mental health services
• What might stop people getting support
• What would make it easier to find the right help

The feedback will be used to help us improve the information available in our local communities, so that more people can find the mental health support they need.

The survey should take around 5-10 minutes to complete and your answers will be anonymous.

👉 https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=bHxMTLWhm0CvRpWSpbNyNJKpnRa4jKlEgmrPtkZ31C5UN0RWMVpBM0owVjc2REJXMURaNDdVQlExVS4u

Please share – the more people who take part, the more we can do to help.

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust Access Wellbeing Hubs BCP Council Dorset Council Team Dorset Mind

17/05/2026

Feeling recognised...
Feeling like your voice matters...
Feeling heard can create a real shift.

It's why we offer spaces to connect, opportunities to learn what is possible in your Wellbeing and Recovery, and ways to share your stories and experiences.

Take action in a way that works for you. This support is here year round, not just for one week.

See link in bio to find out more 💚

15/05/2026

Wrapping up where we are this week with our final event in The Lantern Trust Community hub! We are here celebrating with our Access Wellbeing Hubs colleagues - pop in and contribute to the paperchain of support!

Thank you again to all colleagues who invited our peers to be part of your mental health events this week, it really has meant alot to us. And thank you for coming along and speaking with us, hearing what's going on for you really helps us support our communities in real time.

14/05/2026

Come and say hello at University Hospitals Dorset Poole Hospital today! We’re here this morning with our Psychiatric Liaison colleagues to chat all things mental health and help connect you to local groups and courses to support your Recovery.

13/05/2026

Supporting Bournemouth and Poole College students today for 💚

We’re here to help young people (plus friends & family!) find free learning opportunities through our Dorset Discovery Project courses.

You can also chat to us about our young people’s social groups in Bournemouth and Poole

If you can't make it today then DM us and we'll send you more info.

12/05/2026

Connection brings us closer - especially when we realise we’re not alone in what we’re going through.
Whether it’s a moment of listening, understanding, or support, these small acts matter.
Share your acts of connection with us in the comments.
You never know who might relate.