The Dolphin confirms Dorset Mind collaboration for Mental Health Awareness Week

The Dolphin partners with local mental health charity Dorset Mind to deliver free activities and training to enhance local people’s mental wellbeing in the Cost of Living Crisis.

Following the success of last year’s event, The Dolphin in Poole reunites with Dorset Mind once more for Mental Health Awareness Week, running from Monday 15th – Sunday 21st May 2023, to offer a range of free support for the local community.

Throughout the week there will be a variety of free Dorset Mind training and signposting sessions hosted in The Dolphin’s GATHER to support the Awareness Week theme of anxiety. Dorset Mind’s expert training team will focus on coping strategies for both adults and young people to help support their mental wellbeing.

On Tuesday and Thursday, visitors to The Dolphin will have the opportunity to talk to the charity’s Practitioners, where they will offer guidance and signposting to relevant local mental health organisations and support networks. The Dolphin’s ‘Signposting Booth’ will be situated outside Beales again, a short walk from GATHER. It will provide a safe space for people should they want a confidential area to talk to a member of the Dorset Mind Team. Please note, this is not counselling.

John Grinnell, Centre Manager at The Dolphin, said: "We were extremely keen to bring Mental Health Awareness Week back to the centre following the hugely positive feedback we received from the local community last year. It is fantastic to share all that we have planned for this year.

“We are proud to extend our relationship with Dorset Mind to bring even more vital information and education for local people in Poole town centre. The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is anxiety, which is particularly prevalent post the Covid-19 pandemic and in light of the continuing struggles people face with the cost of living crisis.

“Dorset Mind provides a wide range of resources to our local area and their continued support of our community, particularly through the activities hosted during Mental Health Awareness Week, is something that we are delighted to be able to support.”

Linda O’Sullivan, Dorset Mind’s CEO, adds: “Anxiety is a natural human response prompted by feeling under threat. It can impact so many people within a community and be a challenging topic for people to talk openly about. Unsurprisingly, it’s a hot topic as people struggle to pay bills and make ends meet.

Being able to partner with The Dolphin in Mental Health Awareness Week allows us to directly speak to local residents and let them know what support is available for them. We hope to raise awareness of our services and the local support that can help people focus on positive coping strategies to help them live mentally healthy.

“We anticipate visitors will welcome this offer of free resources and training provided by The Dolphin, especially in light of the additional financial pressures they are currently facing.”

On Monday 15th and Wednesday 17th May, Dorset Mind will host 1-hour training sessions in GATHER with their freelance Trainers to explore the current issues impacting people’s wellbeing - and ways of reframing thinking patterns.

There will be an opportunity to meet the charity’s ‘Mentoring Minds’ Team at the Dolphin’s Signposting Booth on Tuesday 16th May. This session will provide signposting to the available services that support mental health challenges.

On Thursday 18th May, Dorset Mind’s ‘Active Monitoring’ Practitioners will be on hand to talk about their new 1-2-1 service for young people that can be delivered in schools, GP surgeries or online.

Dorset Mind will provide Cost of Living and Mental Health signposting on Saturday 20th May. This will be supported by BCHA charity and local organisations, and offer signposting and support for individuals struggling in the current financial climate.

Young Dorset Mind Trustee Calvin Glen will host free Music and Mindfulness workshop on Sunday 21st May, in GATHER. Adults and young people will have the opportunity to listen to and create music while exploring mindfulness and meditation practices.

Additionally, businesses will have the opportunity to take part in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) taster sessions delivered by OUCH! Training, on Friday 19th May from 10am – 3pm. The taster sessions will teach retailers in The Dolphin some of the mental health first aid basics, including how to provide appropriate, confidential support for employees seeking help with their mental health.

Find out more details and sign up to attend the free activities and training sessions on Eventbrite, with links to be shared across The Dolphin's social media channels shortly. Spaces for each session are limited so pre-booking is essential to avoid disappointment.

For more information, click here.