Since opening in January 2024, the Poole hub has seen more than 6,800 visits from people looking for support or a listening ear. And the service has continued to grow, expanding into Purbeck with five additional drop-in spaces that have seen a further 980 visits.
Access Wellbeing offers free mental health and wellbeing support to anyone aged 18 and over, with no appointment or referral required. Staffed by friendly wellbeing coordinators, the spaces provide a welcoming environment where people can talk openly – whatever is on their mind. Teams have the time to listen, and can offer practical and emotional support, as well as connecting people to specialist services when needed.
For many people, that open-door approach has been life-changing.
John first visited the hub in 2025, where he was supported by Senior Wellbeing Coordinator Renee. He explained: “I was at my rock bottom when I came to Access Wellbeing. Renee heard everything I was going through, and step by step we found ways of getting me through it. We built it like a staircase – one step at a time. She helped me stop focusing on what I couldn’t do and start thinking about what I can do.”
“You learn how to build bridges back to the things that matter to you.”
The Poole hub is part of a wider network of over 30 Access Wellbeing services now open across Dorset, delivered through an innovative partnership between the voluntary sector and the NHS.
Earlier this month, Vikki Slade, MP for Mid Dorset and North Dorset, visited the Poole hub to see the service in action. She said: “It’s wonderful to see the impact the Access Wellbeing Poole hub has had on our community since it opened its doors two years ago. By offering free mental health and wellbeing support in a welcoming and accessible space, the team are making a real difference to people’s lives, helping residents access vital support and strengthening the wellbeing of our community. I was impressed with the range of services they can access and the number of people they support.”
Connecting services
As well as one-to-one support, the Poole hub plays a key role in connecting people to a wider network of services. The space hosts a range of partner organisations, some delivering appointments and clinics on-site, and others using the hub as a base to work closely with wellbeing coordinators. The hub hosts a well-attended With You Veterans Support group and works in partnership with organisations including Citizens Advice, STARS (Sexual Trauma and Recovery Service), BCP Housing, DWP Disability Employment Support, Shelter, and the Recovery Education Centre.
Becky Hacking, Service Development Lead for Access Wellbeing South East Dorset, reflected on the service’s growth and ambition. She said: “I’m incredibly proud of how Access Wellbeing has developed since we first opened. When we launched, our ambition was to move away from working in silos and instead create an ecosystem of joined-up, holistic support. Two years on, I truly believe we’ve achieved that. By working together as one system, we’re breaking down barriers and making sure people get the right support at the right time.”
“We’ve grown from a team of 5 to 14, and have supported thousands of people across the area. What makes Access Wellbeing unique is that people can walk through the door at a time that feels right for them, without referrals or lengthy processes at that first point of contact. That accessibility is so important.”
Lynsie visited the hub when she was feeling overwhelmed, after relocating to Dorset to care for family members: “I just walked in and said, ‘I need to speak to somebody’ because I felt so emotionally overwhelmed. I needed somewhere that was neutral ground. I just felt so alone.
“Amy was just so calm and patient. She was able to just be that ear for me. I ended up wheeling everything out and crying, and she just let me be heard. She helped me make a list of goals and focus on what was practical rather than overwhelming… she helped me turn things from chaos into something manageable.”
Mental health support in the heart of Poole
The Poole hub is located on the first floor of The Dolphin shopping centre in Poole, and The Dolphin team have supported the initiative since its outset:
John Grinnell, centre manager of The Dolphin, said: “We are delighted to celebrate Access Wellbeing’s second anniversary since it opened at The Dolphin. It is a privilege for The Dolphin to be home to Poole’s only dedicated hub offering free mental health and wellbeing support to our local communities.
“The positive impact that Access Wellbeing has had on our community has been significant, and more people are being offered free one-to-one wellbeing support than ever before. It’s vital that Access Wellbeing continues to have a presence in Poole town centre, and we remain committed to this partnership, and the critical services it provides.”
To find out more about Access Wellbeing hubs and drop-in spaces, visit www.dorsetaccesswellbeing.co.uk