Katie Waple and
Harry Kille-Smith,South of England
BBCA wellbeing hub has celebrated helping more than 600 people during its first year of being open.
Access Wellbeing, in Boscombe, Dorset, provides free mental health and wellbeing support to anyone aged 18 and over, with no appointment needed.
The charity said it offers medical help, assistance with practical things like paperwork, or just a listening ear and a cup of tea.
Joshua Hevicon, service development lead for Access Wellbeing East Dorset, said: “It’s amazing to think how far we’ve come in just 12 months.”
The charity has 30 sites across Dorset, with three hubs in Weymouth, Poole and Boscombe as well as 27 drop-in centres in community venues like town halls.
The service is delivered through a partnership between the voluntary sector and the NHS.
Zavier, 25, from Bournemouth, heard about the hub as she was “picking up the pieces of her life again” after going through a mental health crisis.
She said it helped her put her relationships, career goals and self-esteem back together after that “traumatic experience”.
“The one-to-one sessions gave me the opportunity to talk about the elements of my life that I’ve been struggling with and the confidence to take those action,” she said.
“You never feel like a burden and the team help you to feel super confident.”
Hub manager, Leanda Lee said: “Most people see our sign on the building and just walk in, to get help with their wellbeing.
“There is no need to book an appointment, we are here to help and support when people need it.
“People have been aware of the hub, because of the work we have connecting with the community and lots of other services, so they might be sign posted here to us.”
Sohna, 44, from Gambia, has been living in Bournemouth for 19 years and said she experienced domestic violence in 2016.
“I became homeless and very depressed. I thought I could hold it for a very long time and be strong but I had a breakdown,” she said.
“I went to see my GP and the mental health doctor referred me here, to the wellbeing hub.”
She said the wellbeing mentor at the hub just let her cry first, because that was what she needed.
“They have helped me a lot, to identify myself and find my voice,” she added.
