As a charity we are reliant on funding from external organisations and the generosity of the public.
If you wish to donate an amount, for example £10, you would text DMHF19 £10 to the number 70070 as shown below. We thank you for your kindness.
Welcome to the Dorset Mental Health Forum
The Dorset Mental Health Forum is an independent charity established in 1992. We directly employ service users and people with mental health problems whenever possible. Our main office premises are situated in Durngate Street, in the historic market town of Dorchester.
We provide information and signposting for mental health service users and their carers, as well as for other interested parties such as members of the general public and the statutory services. Practical advice is offered through our own dedicated Advocacy Service which also has a statutory responsiblity to provide Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) across Dorset.
We maintain good working relationships with statutory services and supply trained Representatives to help in the planning and commissioning of mental health services. We offer customisable, specialist mental health awareness training packages that can be tailored to an organisation's unique requirements. We also provide a varied range of Day Services.
THE PEOPLE STUDY - Personalisation: Evaluating Outcomes, Practice and Lived Experience of People using Mental Health Services
Gathering views of people who have experience of, or are in the process of applying for 'Personalised Community Care' (Direct Payments)
Rethink Mental Illness, Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, Dorset County Council and Dorset Mental Health Forum in partnership
Would you like to take part in research for which you will receive a voucher?
Dorset Mental Health Forum have partnered with Rethink Mental Illness to gather the views of people in Dorset. The study is to be spread over 2012 and will take the form of three interviews per person with Rethink research staff, for each of which they will give you a £10 Thank You voucher (Love2Shop High Street voucher). Click here to see a list of shops where the vouchers can be redeemed. The results from the study will be totally anonymous and will form part of a major report back to Government. This will be an important opportunity to get your views across to the decision-makers.
There are some eligibility criteria to frame the people we are seeking. Please see whether you fall into the category of person, male or female, we are seeking:
- You must be between 18 to 65 years old
- You must have a diagnosis of a severe mental illness
- You must have experience of, or are in the process of applying for 'Personalised Community Care', i.e. Direct Payments
- You must have a Care Coordinator or Lead Professional
- You must live 'at home', i.e. not be an inpatient in hospital
- You must be willing and able to provide informed consent
- You must be able to complete the interview in English or with the help of a translator/interpreter
- You must live in the Dorset County Council area
If you fall into our categories and would like either to learn more or to take part in the study, we would be very pleased to hear from you. You can either email, call or write to us using the details below, or join us on one of our information events.
- Dorchester: 12pm - 2pm Monday 30th January at The Gallery, Durngate Street, Dorchester DT1 1JP
- Event in Wimborne (To be arranged)
If you don't wish to take part in the study itself, but are interested in coming along to one of the events, you are welcome to attend. Please let us know, so we have an idea of numbers for catering purposes.
Contact either via Teams or via Dorset Mental Health Forum.
Email: richardpeacocke@dorsetmentalhealthforum.org.uk
Call: 07771 861 934 (Richard Peacocke, Peer Specialist Consultant)
Write: Dorset Mental Health Forum, 29A Durngate Street, Dorchester, DT1 1JP
You can download the above text in electronic format to read offline or print out.
Schizophrenia Commission – want to listen to your experiences
The Schizophrenia Commission is a panel of experts from many clinical disciplines. I am a lived experience Commissioner on the panel and we want to here from anyone connected to the subject of Schizophrenia, whether that is service users, carers, friends and family, workers, Mental Health professionals or academics. The idea is to collect as much evidence as possible and then produce a review/report in April.
We are holding events to collect information but the main way people can get involved is to go to the Schizophrenia Commission website and complete the individual survey on-line which will ask for opinions and experiences on the subject. This should only take 10 - 15mins and the more we get the better. I would be very grateful if you could complete the survey if you find the time.
Many thanks for your time and cooperation.
Terry Bowyer
Lived Experience Commissioner
New Articles
Forum staff member Sarah Graham BSc (Psychology) MSc (Health Psychology), has written some more brief articles that offer general lifestyle advice and effective techniques for overcoming difficulties. Each piece can be downloaded as a PDF by following the links below. Further articles and information can be found if you visit the Articles and Developments webpage.
- Be in the Here and Now
- Consolidate your Achievements and Progress
- Create Your Own Sanctuary
- Discover What Energises You, and What Drains You
- Step Back from Time to Time: Do Less, Not More
- Find Your Inner Calm
- Let Go of the Past
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing Anger
Eating Disorders – Tell us your views
We are interested in finding out your views and experiences of eating disorder services in Dorset, and to identify any gaps in services. We would be grateful if you could complete a questionnaire which asks about your experiences, what works well, what needs improving and any changes you would like to see.
You can complete the questionnaire online or alternatively download a copy to print off and then post back to the Forum.
The consultation period will run from the 1st December 2011 to 1st March 2012. Your views really will help shape future services.
Transitions - Mental Illness to Mental Wellness
A Recovery Art and Narratives Project
You can download a PDF document of the Recovery Art and Narratives Project which gives lots of background detail about the concept and features fantastic pieces of expressive artwork.
Wellbeing and Recovery Partnership Update
The progress of the WaRP has been outlined in the WaRP Executive Summary, WaRP Annual Report and Appendices. These documents are available to download from the Wellbeing and Recovery Partnership webpage.
Latest Dorset Wellbeing and Recovery Partnership (WaRP) Newsletter is now available
Issue 10: Summer 11 of the WaRP Newsletter describes the establishment of a Recovery Education Centre. A Myth Buster also helps clarify key points of recovery by eliminating some common misconceptions, such as:
- Myth One: Recovery is a model
- Myth Two: We're doing Recovery already
- Myth Three: The Wellbeing and Recovery Partnership is policing the Recovery Star
- Myth Four: Recovery is letting people just do what they
want
Free Independent Debt Advice Service
One in four individuals with mental ill health also has debt problems. The worries this causes can seriously affect one's wellbeing.
The Money Advice Service is a free, independent advice service that can help you to deal with difficulties you're having with money and to get your finances sorted out so that you can make the most of your money in the future. They can also give advice about how to think about your finances and point out ways which you can plan for the future. The Money Advice Service is there for everyone to help people understand and manage their money better. They provide free, clear and unbiased advice so that people have the information they need to make choices about money. You can use the Money Advice Service by telephoning their Money Advice Line on 0300 500 5000, by booking a face-to-face Money Advice Session or by visiting moneyadviceservice.org.uk
Reflections Magazine Summer 2011 Issue
![Download Reflections Magazine Summer 2011 [PDF in new window]](images/reflections-image.jpg)
The latest issue of Reflections Magazine is now available for digital download.
It features lived experience stories, Forum developments and other news relating to mental health.
There is also information on Forum membership and how you can get involved and have your voice heard.
You can also download previous editions that are available from our archive on the Reflections webpage.
Dorset Mental Health Forum Information Leaflet
![Download the Forum Information Leaflet [PDF in new window]](images/forum-information-leaflet.jpg)
Please download the Forum Information Leaflet (please be patient, it's quite a large file size).
It explains who we are and the many pieces of work and projects that we undertake, including:
- Consultation and Representation
- Wellbeing and Recovery Partnership (WaRP)
- Dorset Mental Health Advocacy
- Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
- WorkWise - An employment support co-ordination service
- Sports and Leisure Activity Programme
- Peer Support Groups and various other projects
Read the leaflet to find out more, and most importantly, for details on how you can get involved and help shape the mental health services of tomorrow.
Latest Information
Eating Disorders – Tell us your views
We are interested in finding out your views and experiences of eating disorder services in Dorset, and to identify any gaps in services. We would be grateful if you could complete a questionnaire which asks about your experiences, what works well, what needs improving and any changes you would like to see.
You can complete the questionnaire online or alternatively download a copy to print off and then post back to the Forum.
The consultation period will run from the 1st December 2011 to 1st March 2012. Your views really will help shape future services.
WaRP Update
Issue 10: Summer 2011 of the Wellbeing and Recovery Partnership Newsletter is now available.
Issue 2: Spring 2011 of the Wellbeing and Recovery Supporters & Carers Newsletter is now available for viewing and download.
The WaRP Executive Summary, Annual Report and Appendices have been released. Visit the Wellbeing & Recovery page for more details.
Autism Friendly Cinema Showings
At Midday each Tuesday the Plaza Cinema in Dorchester offers Autism Friendly Cinema Showings. With some advice from the Wessex Autistic Society they hope the introduction of these shows will provide a comfortable environment for those with Autism, their family and carers.
Dorset Adult Aspergers Support
The Dorset Adult Aspergers Support (DAAS) website plus other organisations and support websites can be found on our Recommended Websites page.
The telephone numbers for DAAS Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth & Portland teams can also be found on our Support Telephone Numbers page.
Wessex Autistic Society
The Wessex Autistic Society offers support for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders and carers/professionals.
The Dorset Mental Health Forum is not responsible for the contents or reliability of linked websites and does not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them. Listing shall not be taken as endorsement of any kind. We cannot guarantee that these links will work all of the time and we have no control over the availability of linked pages.