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Access Wellbeing Landmark Collaboration

A landmark initiative will overhaul community mental health services across Dorset, ensuring that people can rapidly access comprehensive support without the need for referrals.

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Transforming Dorset’s Mental Health Services

In a new partnership that aims to redefine mental health care in the region, Help & Care in collaboration with BCHA and The Lantern Trust have announced their collaborative leadership in the ‘Access Wellbeing Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Transformation Programme,’ in contract with Dorset HealthCare.

The ‘Access Wellbeing’ programme has been in development for many years and has been shaped by planning and engaging with local Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprises (VCSE) and mental health providers.

Representing a collective effort to meet the community’s mental health needs more effectively, the programme integrates and enhances existing support systems. The initiative aims to achieve a more connected and responsive mental health service across Dorset.

Immediate Support Without Barriers

Central to the programme is the promise of immediate, local support for anyone aged 18 and over, emphasising a ‘no wrong door’ policy. This approach eliminates the need for referrals, allowing direct access to a range of mental health and wellbeing services.

Mark Sharman, Chief Executive of  Help & Care  says  “We are delighted to be part of a collaborative VCSE offer and looking forward to wider engagement of the sector through this exciting programme. Access Wellbeing resonates with Help & Care and our mission to make a real difference for people by supporting them to live the lives they choose. 

Our values of being Collaborative and Innovative are encapsulated in this partnership while our work to promote Social Justice with a truly Personal approach, underpins the ethos of this transformation programme. 

As a local organisation with almost 40 years’ experience working with communities across the county, we are very clear that this is about transformation, responding to the experiences and insights of those communities and requiring genuine coproduction pan Dorset.” 

 “This partnership signifies a collective effort to make a lasting impact on the lives of those we support. We look forward to fostering a nurturing environment where mental health and wellbeing thrive.

“The collaboration marks a significant milestone in our mission to enhance mental health and wellbeing community support. And as we embark on this journey, we anticipate innovative solutions and shared successes that will enrich the fabric of our communities.”

 

Morad Margoum, Deputy Service Director for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Children and Families at Dorset HealthCare

“This initiative marks a significant step towards our vision of a community where everyone has access to the mental health support they need, seamlessly and without delay. We are thrilled to collaborate with Help & Care and The Lantern Trust in leading this initiative through a genuine partnership approach. Leveraging BCHA’s extensive track record of delivering quality mental health support services, coupled with the solid groundwork of existing services being provided in the initial stages of this programme, we hope to bring about a transformative shift in how our community accesses and receives mental health support.”

Caroline Moylan, Chief Operating Officer at BCHA