- Mental Health Conditions ++
- ADHD
- Alcohol Addiction
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Anxiety Disorders ++
- Aspergers
- Autism
- Bipolar Affective Disorder
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Depressive Illnesses ++
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Postnatal Psychosis
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Schizo-affective Disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Seasonal Affective Disorder
- Information and Resources ++
- Advocacy Service
- WorkWise
- Peer Representatives
- Feedback & Consultation
- Wellbeing & Recovery Partnership
- North Dorset Day Services ++
- Sherborne Centre for Wellbeing
- Sports Leisure Activity Programme
- Peer Support ++
- Peer Led Groups ++
- Reflections Magazine
- Contact Us
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.
Peer Representatives Project
We regularly consult with individuals, local peer groups and carers to gather views about services, and help identify areas that can be improved. We feed this information back to the people responsible for the planning and provision of mental health services in your area, i.e. NHS providers and commissioners, local authority services and other agencies.
There is a national agenda encouraging lived experience participation in the planning and delivery of mental health services. Now is an ideal opportunity for people to have a strong influence on the development and delivery of mental health services in their own locality.
All Peer Representatives and Peer Specialists have lived experience of mental health problems and may at some time have accessed, or still be accessing services for their own mental health difficulties. We feel gathering the views of people with lived experience puts us in a ideal position to help shape services that are relevant, current, and utilise best practice. We are employed as your representatives.
History and Funding
The original Service User Representatives project commenced in 2005. We established effective relationships with mental health service providers, and Forum peers are now members of many NHS development groups and other committees that help facilitate improvements in service provision.
Over the last few years the Forum has gained a reputation for advocating the views of people with lived experience of mental health problems and mental health services, in a balanced and professional manner. This is echoed by the number of invitations we receive at a local, regional - and in some cases national level to be involved in all aspects of the implementation of mental health services. Forum peers now work in partnership as Peer Representatives and Peer Specialists with local statutory colleagues.
A charity's success is dependent upon many factors, including the importance and effectiveness of its projects, plus a little luck. The Forum was very fortunate and proud to have the original SUR project endorsed by the Big Lottery Fund, who in September 2007 provided considerable funding of almost £100,000 ensuring the future of the project for an additional 5 years.
Contact the Peer Representatives Project
If you have any enquiries regarding the Peer Representatives Project, or would like to become a Peer Representative, please contact the Forum at:
Peer Representatives Project,
Dorset Mental Health Forum,
29-29A Durngate Street,
Dorchester,
Dorset,
DT1 1JP
Tel: 01305 257172
Fax: 01305 261049
Email the Peer Representatives project
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.