Community Front Rooms (CFRs) are open to anyone over 18 who needs face-to-face support. They are staffed by mental health professionals and peer specialists (people with personal experience of mental health issues), and are there for you if you are struggling to cope and feel you are approaching a crisis point.

CFRs are welcoming, informal, safe spaces where you can discuss your problems. Staff will not offer medication or structured therapy, but rather self-management advice and support that helps you find the solutions to aid your recovery. There is no referral or appointment needed, just turn up and ring the doorbell.

If the staff feel the CFR is not the most appropriate level of support for you, they may offer you an assessment which may lead to further support from the other mental health services available.

CFRs are provided by charitable housing association BCHA, which works in partnership with local charity Hope to run the Shaftsbury CFR, and local charity Burrough Harmony to deliver the Bridport CFR.

CFRs are not able to work with people who:

• require medical attention beyond basic first aid/wound care

• are intoxicated by alcohol or substances

• display threatening or physically aggressive behaviour

• are under the age of 18.

Other Access Mental Health services