Access Wellbeing Poole opened on 29 January 2024 in The Dolphin Poole, to offer local people over the age of 18 access to a wide range of support on topics including:
- mental health and emotional wellbeing
- social connections and activities
- bereavement and grief
- advice on issues such as work, money and housing
- support for carers and family members
In its first month of opening, the hub received 403 visitors, and the team gave advice and guidance on 316 occasions, including 1:1 support to those who need it.
Maja Gandurska is manager at the hub and has seen first-hand how the team have been helping local people.
She said: “Access Wellbeing Poole opened to help people living in Dorset with a range of topics to support their mental health and wellbeing. Thanks in part to its location in The Dolphin Poole, the hub has been very successful since day one and has quickly demonstrated how it is a much-needed resource.
“We have had a huge number of questions and queries around mental health support ranging from dementia through to bereavement counselling and loneliness, but we’ve also been talking to people about more practical topics such as financial worries and housing.
“Our team are here to listen, and can connect people to other organisations that provide support, whether that’s a charity, community group, the NHS or another local service. We also welcome people back for further appointments if needed, to help them as they navigate local services.
“We are always happy to help so whatever is on your mind, please do call in and find out more.”
From those who have used Access Wellbeing Poole, feedback has been extremely positive:
- “Outstanding, I felt very supported.”
- “It was really lovely and I’m very grateful to Meg today for listening to me. No one has listened to me in a while.
- “It took a lot of courage on my part to come here. So glad that I did, thank you.”
- “Staff were calm and good listeners. They provided helpful advice and made me feel welcome to come back if I need more support.”
- “Helped to get me set off on the right track.”
- “I felt comforted that there is a service like this here in Poole.”
Access Wellbeing Poole is managed by PramaLife and Help & Care, working together with NHS Dorset, Dorset HealthCare, Community Action Network, Legal & General and BCP Council, as well as other charities and community groups. It is facilitated by The Dolphin Poole.
Access Wellbeing Poole is one of two pilot wellbeing hubs, with a second in Weymouth that will open to drop-in visitors over the coming months. The hubs are part of the wider Access Wellbeing programme of work, which sees organisations in Dorset working together to improve mental health and wellbeing support for the local community.
