Our collective workforce is built on people whose perspectives and expertise come from their lived experience of a broad range of conditions. As we reflect on ADHD Awareness month, we feel it important to highlight that a diagnosis needn’t be something that defines...
We are holding a Forum Festival on Saturday 8 July 2023 to celebrate our 30th birthday and everyone is welcome! Please join us at Dorchester Rugby Club, to celebrate, share stories, take part in wellbeing activities, learn new things and have some fun. There will be...
To share a quote “true belonging doesn’t require that we change who we are; it requires that we be who we are” - Brene Brown, and to me that is why Pride is important. When it comes to people’s mental health our sense of identity, who we are, has a huge impact on our...
This Mental Health Awareness Week come along to our beach activities day! Wednesday 17 May 2023 | Flaghead Chine, Poole | 12.30-6.30pm Pop down, play football, frisbee or rounders (and more!) or just have a cuppa and find out more about our Sports and Social groups...
Award winning Weymouth barbers, Barberista UK have teamed up with Dorset Mental Health Forum and local community organisations to offer men a safe space to get a free haircut whilst opening up about their mental health if they wish. The monthly sessions are run by...
As we enter World Autism Acceptance Week, our Peer Lead for Young People, Nikita, reflects on their personal relationship with colour and what it means to them as a neurodivergent person. About me part 1: I’m Nikita, the Peer lead for Young People, and one of the...
At the Dorset Mental Health Forum, we believe that everyone has an equal right to enjoy all the opportunities that life can provide. Whoever they are and uniquely in their own right. We recognise that everyone’s circumstances and stories are different, that some...
Our Peer Specialist Will, who works into our Discovery Project team, shares his experience of opening up to an adult when he was struggling with his mental health. Will's blog is part of the newly launched RUOK? campaign that aims to highlight the different ways young...
As part of Carers Week (6-13 June 2022), our Peer Specialist Carer Joy has written a poem which reflects on the theme of 'Make caring visible, valued and supported'. Invisible Army We’re the person that tries to help, to understand, their troubles, their pain that...
Hi, my name is Kyle and I’m a Sports & Social Coordinator for the Forum. I live in Dorset with my partner and two young boys. Football is my go-to happy place as you will learn below! My story starts back in my childhood. My parents separated when I was two and my...
Hi I’m Amber and I’m a Young Person’s Peer. I love reading, roller derby and giraffes….oh and I’m a bit obsessed with drinking bubble tea! I’ve struggled with mental health my entire life – I don’t remember a time before, or who I even was, so all I have is the after...
Hello, I’m Jane and I am Peer Lead for Education at the Forum. I have lived in beautiful Dorset for over 30 years. My husband and I love living by the coast and have two beautiful daughters and three amazing grandchildren. Along with Chilli, our Siberian husky. My job...