MP opens Access Wellbeing Boscombe in major boost for local mental health services

A new drop-in hub that aims to transform mental health support in the BCP area has been officially opened by Tom Hayes, MP for Bournemouth East.

Access Wellbeing Boscombe, based at Palmerston Road, will offer free, walk-in support and advice from Monday to Friday. The service will support people to enhance their overall wellbeing, helping to improve their mental health.

In addition to mental health and wellbeing, the hub’s team of friendly, trained wellbeing co-ordinators will offer assistance on education, training, employment, benefits and financial matters. Advice will be available on key issues such as support for carers, social connections and how to cope with bereavement and grief.

Access Wellbeing Boscombe is managed by charitable housing association BCHA, working in partnership with Dorset HealthCare, NHS Dorset, Help & Care and The Lantern Trust – alongside other charities and voluntary sector organisations.

The opening of the Boscombe hub follows the successful roll-out of similar Access Wellbeing support hubs in Poole and Weymouth.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Lorraine Mealings, CEO of BCHA, said:

“Access Wellbeing Boscombe represents a landmark in the transformation of mental health support services across Dorset. BCHA is delighted to be delivering this game-changing approach, in partnership with organisations that are committed to offering an enhanced level of mental health and wellbeing support in the heart of our communities.”

Access Wellbeing is a partnership between the NHS, councils, charities and community groups who work together to help people when and where they need it – with a strong focus on supporting people in their community. It is the result of extensive consultation, which revealed that people can find it confusing when they’re trying to find the right mental health support.

Support and advice will be provided by wellbeing co-ordinators in the first instance, but the team will work closely with other services and charities, linking people to the right support.

Rachel Small, Dorset HealthCare’s Interim Chief Operating Officer, said:

“We are delighted to open the doors to Access Wellbeing Boscombe, which represents a milestone in our transformative approach to the way people in the BCP area can access immediate mental health and wellbeing support.

“We know that when people are worried or struggling with day-to-day challenges, it can impact their mental health and risk becoming overwhelming without the right support.

“The hub will provide earlier access to help, preventing problems from escalating, with person-centred support tailored to the needs of anyone aged 18 and over. This fantastic new drop-in service will empower people to support their wellbeing, overcoming barriers that can prevent people from accessing health services. We look forward to seeing Access Wellbeing Boscombe go from strength to strength.”

As the service evolves, it will also provide outreach help within other community settings across Dorset. Other services and groups will be using the hub at different times, including NHS mental health services, local mental health charities, advice services and social prescribers.

Access Wellbeing Boscombe can be found at 3-5 Palmerston Road, Bournemouth BH1 4HN. No appointment is needed – simply call into the hub from Monday to Friday, between 9.30am and 4.30pm.

Visit www.dorsetaccesswellbeing.co.uk for more information.