Dorset Youth

AS THE NEED OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN DORSET CHANGES, DORSET YOUTH IS EVOLVING TO MEET THESE NEEDS.

Dorset Youth is here to help! Find an activity and organisation to suit you. Find support specific to young people and parent and carers.

Dorset Youth (DY) values, supports and champions the local voluntary sector as they work to strengthen our local communities. Our focus is on individuals and organisations working with children, young people and families, and our offer is personable, practical and purposeful.

shout

Free, 24/7 mental health text support in the UK.

Struggling to cope? Text SHOUT to 85258

Shout can help with a range of issues including anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, relationship problems, bullying or if you're feeling overwhelmed.

Their trained volunteers are there for you 24/7 to listen and support you to get to a calmer and safe place. Shout is a free, confidential, anonymous service for anyone in the UK. It won’t appear on your phone bill.

To start a conversation, text the word 'SHOUT' to 85258.

Instagram: @giveusashoutinsta

TikTok: @giveusashout

Facebook: @giveusashoutuk

Number 18 – Up in Poole

Up in Poole is here to help you - Whether it’s your future, things to do, health or finding your voice - they aim to support young people in Poole. Up in Poole is a gateway of information for 12-19 year olds, from advice, support, things to do, health, your future, and finding a voice.

B-Town Youth

They support young people aged 13 to 19, particularly the vulnerable to develop knowledge, skills and confidence to help them realise their potential.

The B-Town Youth Advice is a service located at our two centres:

• 507 in Boscombe and

• Sussed in Kinson, where they offer support and guidance.

Find them on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bmouthyouth

The Listening Ear

The Listening Ear is dedicated to providing the best possible counselling to children, young people and families.

Based in Bournemouth, Dorset, they provide a professional service, helping families to improve aspects of their lives that they find difficult to resolve alone...

Their mission is to provide a professional & confidential service to the community; empowering families to relieve stress and anxiety and develop an improved quality of life.

Kooth

Kooth is a safe, confidential and anonymous mental health and emotional well-being platform for children and young people, accessible through any connected device. Available free at the point of use, Kooth helps to reduce wait times for young people seeking help while removing the stigma associated with accessing help. It gives children and young people easy access to an online community of peers and a team of experienced counsellors.

CAMHS – Dorset

Core Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service

CAMHS offers assessment and treatment to children and young people up the age of 18 who are experiencing significant mental health difficulties. We also provide support to families and carers. We provide these services across Dorset, with main bases in Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth, Blandford and Dorchester.

If you are a young person and are concerned about your mental health, talking to someone who knows you – such as your parents, carers or a teacher – is a good place to start. Together, you can then contact a GP, school nurse (you can text them directly at 07480 635511) or social worker, who can advise on the sort of help you might need. If appropriate, they will arrange an appointment for you with CAMHS.

Happy Days Children’s Charity

Happy Days Children's Charity helps families and groups by organising and funding special days and holidays such as trips to the seaside, theatres, zoos, museums, outdoor activity centres, sporting events and other educational and cultural activities for children in the UK living with mental, physical and emotional difficulties.

As well as helping individual families, we also to offer our support to hundreds of groups such as SEN schools and arrange special days for other charities including children’s hospitals, women’s refuges and victim support services, to name just a few across the UK.

The Shine Project

The Shine project partners with other organisations to promote physical and mental health for teenage girls ages 12-14yrs.

Addaction – We are With You

Get free, confidential support with alcohol, drugs or mental health from one of our local services or online.

Action For Children

For safe and happy childhoods.

We protect and support children and young people, providing practical and emotional care and support, ensuring their voices are heard, and campaigning to bring lasting improvements to their lives. Last year, we helped more than 387,000 children and families

360 Degrees Learning & Skills

Their role is to work with young people, their families and relevant services to facilitate a young person being able to return to an education, employment/training provider where their learning and/or behaviour needs can be addressed in the long term.

Victim Support

They give emotional and practical help to people who have been affected by crime in Dorset. They are an independent charity and you can contact us for support regardless of whether you’ve contacted the police, and no matter how long ago the crime took place. Victim Support help you for as long as it takes to overcome the impact of crime.

Treads Blandord

Treads is an informal advice, information and drop-in centre for young people, based in Blandford Forum, Dorset.

Treads focuses on the problems and issues that local young people face daily and provides free, unbiased and non-judgmental help and advice to individuals up to the age of 19 and up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs.

They can offer help and advice on almost anything, including bullying, education and learning, health and well-being, relationships, sexual health and pregnancy, family conflict, alcohol and drugs, employment and training, counselling, victim support, legal, debt and finance, homelessness, housing and benefits.

The Hideout

Women’s Aid have created this space to help children and young people understand domestic abuse, and how to take positive action if it’s happening.

Steps 2 Wellbeing

The Poole, Purbeck and East Dorset Steps to Wellbeing service is a talking therapies service for people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression and a range of specific anxiety disorders, based at Bearwood Neighbourhood Centre. It is not an acute service for people who are in acute distress, crisis or at risk of self-harm.

Hurting to Healing

A charity with a mission to relieve the suffering and distress of men and women over the age of 16 who are survivors of child abuse (sexual, physical, emotional and neglect) in Dorset.

Mosaic - Supporting Bereaved Children

Mosaic support children and young people who have been bereaved of someone special, such as a parent, sibling, friend or a member of their extended family. This includes all causes of death such as long-term illness, sudden death, suicide, murder or road traffic accident.

Hope Again

Hope Again is the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Care. It is a safe place where you can learn from other young people, how to cope with grief, and feel less alone.

Here you will find information about our services, a listening ear from other young people and advice for any young person dealing with the loss of a loved one. They also work to enhance society’s care of bereaved people.

Hope Again provides somewhere to turn to when someone dies.

Dorset Recovery Education Centre (REC)

The Recovery Education Centre (REC) is jointly delivered by Dorset HealthCare and Dorset Mental Health Forum, a peer-led charity.

The centre co-develops and co-delivers educational based courses focusing on recovery, wellbeing and shared learning, bringing together the expertise of professionals and people with lived experience.

Their courses are available to people with personal experience of mental health difficulties as well as carers, friends, family, and supporters including staff.

The focus is on shared learning, self-determination and choice. The REC provides opportunity to explore and understand experiences and to recognise and develop skills and tools which may help in your recovery journey.

Follow them on: Facebook: @dorsetrecoveryeducation I Twitter: @recoverydorset I  Instagram: @dorsetrecoveryeducation

STARS – Sexual Trauma and Recovery Service

STARS is a pan-Dorset charity that offers one to one support, free of charge, for anyone of any age or gender who lives, works or studies in Dorset and has experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their life.

At STARS they provide dedicated counselling and a specialist Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) service specifically for Children and Young People in Dorset who have experienced sexual violence.

Dorset Police

In an emergency, always dial 999

For all other enquiries, dial 101

Dorset ADHD Support Group

Helpline: 07837705819

Dorset ADHD Support Group is a voluntary organisation that supports those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and their families. The committee is made up of volunteers with no paid staff and provides support on a one to one basis as well as parent group meetings. Service users, their families and service providers are welcome to join the group and work with us so that we can provide the appropriate support for our members.

Autism Wessex

They help is varied and far reaching. Their services are available to anyone who needs it - people with autism and associated difficulties, families and professionals. Anyone affected by autism can rely on them for support.

Portfield School, a non-maintained specialist school based in Christchurch, Dorset, was founded in 1971 by parents of children with autism. Managed by Autism Wessex, the school supports children and young people with autism and associated difficulties aged 3-19.

Whether you’re looking for information on diagnosis, benefits, education or everyday life, their Community Connection Service offers information on different topics related to autism. They will connect you to services in the community, which meet your needs.

Their Community Support and Residential Services offer a range of personalised social care services for people with autism and associated difficulties.

Childline – Call 0800 1111

A free 24-hour helpline and online support for children and young people. Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through.

You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, our trained counsellors are here to support you.

YoungMinds

Support for mental health and wellbeing.

Youth Access

Details of local advice and counselling services. Youth Access is the advice and counselling network. The Youth Information, Advice and Counselling Services (YIACS) offer young people support on a range of issues in a young person centered environment.

Frank

Talk to Frank 0300 1236600

Frank gives honest information about drugs, as well as help and advice for anyone struggling with drug related issues. So make sure to utilise the live chat and call service.

Adfam

Adfam focuses on improving life for families affected by drugs or alcohol. They provide support and help widen the understanding of people who are living with people suffering from addiction. 

NSPCC

Helpline 0800 1111

Their helpline is here, no matter your worry. Contact their trained professionals for help, advice and support.

NSPCC - The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is a charity campaigning and working in child protection in the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands.

Samaritans

Helpline 01202 294599

You can reach out to Samaritans on the phone, by email, or by writing a letter. They offer general support with whatever you may be going through. They also have tips explaining what to do if you are worried about a friend or family member.

Connection

Connection is a round-the-clock helpline for people of all ages, anywhere in Dorset, who are experiencing mental health problems and need support.

The number – 0300 123 5440 – offers 24/7 telephone access to mental health advice and support as part of Access Mental Health. You do not need to be known by our services and can also phone for support and advice about a friend or family member experiencing poor mental health. The service can also be accessed via NHS 111.

Staff are trained to support anyone who calls, regardless of the level of mental health crisis, and can signpost you to the most appropriate service which meets your needs. This may include directing you to our drop-in services provided at the Retreat (based in Bournemouth and Dorchester) or the Community Front Rooms (based in Bridport, Shaftesbury and Wareham).

HOPELINEUK – 0800 068 41 41

Support, practical advice and information to anyone concerned that a young person they know may be at risk of suicide.

HOPELINEUK advisers want to work with you to understand why these thoughts of suicide might be present. They also want to provide you with a safe space to talk through anything happening in your life that could be impacting on your or anyone else’s ability to stay safe.

• For children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide

• For anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide

Our advisers are all trained to help you focus on staying safe from suicide. Their training enables them to provide advice and support that may help you to move forward and stay alive.

If you are concerned that a young person is feeling suicidal, advisers can support you to start a conversation about suicide and explore options of how best to support them.

Chat Health

Text: 07480 635 510 

ChatHealth is a confidential text messaging service which allows young people, aged 11-19, to contact their local public health team. The website also offers a range of advice, from growing up to sexual health.

Response time: Within 24 hours, 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday (except bank holidays)

Riders Minds: Improving the Mental Health & Wellbeing of all horse riders

Riders Minds is a free online resource dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of all horse riders.

CALL THE HELPLINE - 0300 102 1540

It's open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

There is always a trained helper ready to talk to you about mental health or wellbeing issues.

Don't suffer in silence. Don't struggle alone.

The British Horse Society - Changing Lives through Horses

Changing Lives through Horses is delivered on a national scale through selected BHS Approved Centres. Each centre is committed to helping and supporting young people to develop life skills and engage with society positively.

Locally delivered at RAC Saddle Club, Bovington, Dorset, BH20 6JA. For further details please contact Steph Buchanan 01929 403580 (#Willdoes Trustee)

Using horses as the inspiration for change, the programme provides an alternative learning environment to mainstream education. The skills developed through the programme meet the requirements of ongoing education and training, employers and participants.

The programme works to develop six key life skills through equestrian activity: Communication, Confidence, Relationships, Teamwork, Responsibility, Personal Achievement.

The framework of activity they have developed is called the BHS Achieve Awards and includes 10 stable management awards and six riding awards. There are also a range of BHS Achieve Skills. The BHS Achieve Skills are activities that can be carried out in the wider equestrian environment, such as wildlife awareness, photography or fix it awards. 

Horse Serenity

The human team at Horserenity, based in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset, provides opportunities to learn out of doors in a safe, natural environment with horses and other animals. They offer one to one sessions, small groups, family programmes, life skills and re-engagement for young adults and those experiencing trauma (PTSD) and anxiety. They are also now running alternative provision for those children unable to attend their educational setting.

Equine Facilitated Learning - At Horserenity creates a safe environment for our learners to spend time with the horses. 

Horses are non judgmental and will listen to a heart beat from 4 feet away, they read from the inside out and work in a non judgemental way to bring calm and understanding.

You might spend time grooming, joining with the herd at liberty, working with your energy in the round pen, drawing, reflecting, leading a horse through your own life's 'obstacles', learning about the physiology of the horse. 

We are lead by your needs and will build a tailored programme to help you achieve your goals.

Purbeck Youth & Community Foundation

Paving the Way to a Brighter Future - Their Mission is to support, enable and inspire everyone in our communities to Live Young Live Life. They provide education, activities and fun, support and advisory services to young people in a safe location at Wareham, Wool and Corfe Castle Youth Clubs that promotes their safety, wellbeing and participation in their local community.

Dorset Mind

Dorset Mind are a pioneering local charity that educates, challenges mental health stigma and inequality, and promotes recovery by empowering individuals to develop resilience. They offer support groups, 1-1 counselling, Active Monitoring and Mentoring Minds. 
They also provide volunteer opportunities across all areas of the organisation.

Cruse Bereavement

They offer support, advice and information to children, young people (see Hope Again) and adults when someone dies.

Nightstop

Nightstop believe that no young person should be homeless or have to sleep in an unsafe place.

Nightstop prevents homelessness through community hosting - providing a safety net to those forced to leave their home. Nightstop places young people in a safe and warm home for the night, provided by a vetted and approved volunteer. This prevents young people from sleeping rough, "sofa surfing", or staying in unsuitable accommodation where they would be at risk of abuse. The use of spare rooms in a positive environment makes a huge difference to young people in crisis.

The Retreat

The Retreat – a safe place to discuss your problems and access peer support. Unfortunately this is only for people aged 18 and over.

If you are struggling to cope with life and feel yourself approaching a crisis point, you can attend The Retreat in Hahnemann Road, Bournemouth and Maiden Castle Road in Dorchester.

The Retreat aims to provide you with a safe and welcoming environment where you can discuss your problems and work towards solutions. Staffed by both mental health professionals and peer specialists (people who have their own lived experience of mental health issues), The Retreat offers out-of-hours support and advice on self-management.

Calm Harm

Help for teenagers thinking about self-harm. Calm Harm provides tasks to help you resist or manage the urge to self-harm.

Calm Harm is an award-winning app developed for teenage mental health charity stem4 by Dr Nihara Krause, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, using the basic principles of an evidence-based therapy called Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT).

Headspace

Your personal guide to mindfulness.

Clear Fear

An app to help for children and teenagers with anxiety.

Smiling Mind

A free mindfulness app. Practice your daily meditation and mindfulness exercises from any device. Smiling Mind is a unique tool developed by psychologists and educators to help bring balance to your life.

Cove

Music for your mental health. Improve your mental health by making music.

Stay Alive

The Stay Alive app is a suicide prevention resource for the  UK, packed full of useful information and  tools to help you stay safe in crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide.

In addition to the resources, the app includes a  safety plan, customisable reasons for living, and a LifeBox. Here you can store photos and memories that are important to you.

You can also read the strategies for staying safe or explore the tips on how to stay grounded when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Try the guided-breathing exercises, and support your wellness by creating your own interactive Wellness Plan.

The app links you directly to local and national  crisis resources, so you won’t need to carry around slips of paper with contact details on – it’s all stored there within the app. If the resource isn’t listed, simply add in your own.

WellMind

NHS mental health and wellbeing app designed to help people with anxiety, depression and stress. It includes advice to help improve wellbeing and mental health. 

Five ways to Wellbeing

Five Ways to Wellbeing aims to help people feel happier and healthier by encouraging them to do simple things under the headings of connect, be active, take notice, keep learning and give. It allows people to reflect on their wellbeing, set activities to help improve their wellbeing and track their progress.

Search for it on Google Play or App Store.

Mindshift

Designed to help teens and young adults to cope with anxiety by containing specific tool kits to teach relaxation, develop new thinking and suggests activities for mindfulness. It contains guidance on how to deal with everyday anxiety and, worry, conflict, social/ performance anxiety and panic. 

Search for it on Google Play or App Store.

Rise up

Rise up is an app for people struggling with food, dieting, exercise and body image, providing support for people with eating disorders. The app contains, a function to log meals and emotions, custom reminders help with motivation and resources offering advice to help with recovery. 

Search for it on Google Play or App Store.