The Dorset Community Foundation has awarded more than £725,000 to 22 groups whose work helps prevent people developing serious mental health problems. The Community Wellbeing and Mental Health fund, run in collaboration with NHS Dorset and Community Action Network (CAN), was set up to support groups running community based, non-clinical services and activities that help adults improve their wellbeing and mental health and assist those living with mental health conditions to aid their recovery. READ: Dorset Community Foundation offers grants for mental health It is designed to reduce pressure on the NHS and complement the Access Wellbeing programme, a new way of delivering mental health and wellbeing services in Dorset, in partnership with the NHS, councils and the voluntary and community sector.
Dorset Community Foundation chief executive Grant Robson said: “This fund has been a major piece of work for us and we are delighted that, because of our expert knowledge of the voluntary sector in Dorset, we’ve been able to deliver a programme alongside CAN that meets NHS Dorset’s objectives.” Among the recipients is Home-Start Wessex, which will use a £75,200 grant over two years to expand its parental support service into Weymouth and west Dorset. READ: Dorset Community Foundation see a rise in elderly grants The group recruits and trains volunteers and pairs them with parents with children under five who are struggling with mental health, emotional or other issues.
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