Dorset Open Door is a partnership of local/national bereavement charities and health and care organisations working together to make sure you get the support you need. It supports people who have been bereaved or affected by a death where the cause may be suicide, or be particularly traumatic or sudden.

In these instances often the grieving process can be even more complicated, distressing, uncertain and confusing, regardless of the time that may have passed.

Any bereavement at any time is upsetting, there is no timeline to grief and each person’s experience is unique.  By talking through options available to you in your local area this can help point you in the right direction, offering advice, guidance and support.

Dorset Open Door acknowledges that everyone has a different experience of bereavement. The team will listen to you and in the context of your personal experience and circumstance, and help you to find the support and advice that is right for you.

The service also provides support for professionals or those seeking advice for others.

Contact details

Contacting Dorset Open Door

Telephone: 01305 361361

Email: dhc.dorsetopendoor@nhs.net

Complete our contact form

Key information about this service

Experiencing bereavement is difficult at any time, but when your loss is particularly sudden, unexpected or traumatic, including where the person may have taken their own life, it can be additionally difficult. There is a wealth of support available to you, and we have put together details of support services ranging from emotional support and peer support to practical advice and guidance.

Below are some resources, organisations and supports available both nationally and locally. A number of these resources are specific to traumatic loss but not exclusively. If you would like to discuss any of these supports or not sure which you might find helpful, please contact a member of our team on 01305 361361 or alternatively email dhc.dorsetopendoor@nhs.net.

Bereavement Advice Centre | Free Helpline

Are you looking for urgent support or to talk to someone immediately?

 

Are you bereaved by suspected suicide?

 

Are you a young person, or working with young people, impacted by a suicide or suspected suicide?

Available apps 

 

Text support

 

Chat online

 

Useful reading for advice and guidance 

 

Prefer to listen to podcasts or read books? 

 

Other resources and support

 

If you're not sure what you might find helpful, Dorset Open Door can help. As a partnership of healthcare organisations and charities, it will explore your options with you and link you with the right service.

You can call 01305 361361 or email dhc.dorsetopendoor@nhs.net Monday to Friday from 9.30am-4.30pm.

Dorset Open Door is a partnership of local and national bereavement charities and health and care organisations working together to make sure you get the support you need. Some organisations provide direct bereavement support services and others are key in sharing communications, training and community supports.

Dorset Wellbeing and Recovery Partnership, the partnership between Dorset HealthCare  and Dorset Mental Health Forum, is leading on this project. The WaRP brings together lived and learned expertise, have significant experience in co-production and bridge the statutory and voluntary/community sector.

To find out more about our partners please head to their respective webpages.