Discovery Project

What does mental health mean to you?

The Discovery Project is a partnership initiative from Dorset HealthCare and Dorset Mental Health Forum. In The Discovery Project we combine the expertise of NHS Healthcare Professionals, the lived experience of Peer Specialists and the voice of Young People to create spaces to explore and share what mental health, recovery, and wellbeing means by looking at what matters to you.

We’re not a clinical intervention. Our Project works across the whole of Dorset with schools, charities, and a wide variety of organisations to create an offer for Young People (13-25) and their parents/ carers.

What we offer

Discovery Profiles - A chance to discuss what path your discovery journey might take.

A Large Programme of Topics - Learning, Exploring and Understanding Mental Health. From Worksheets to Workshops, and everything in between.

Discovery Podcasts

YP Community -  Have your say, share your thoughts. This is where young people say what matters most to them and what would be useful for the project to do.

The Book Of Oofs - An advice booklet made by young people from the Quay School.

And plenty more...

As a Project we’re always evolving. Doing that means we have Young People’s voices right at the heart of our project.
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If you have any questions or want to find out more send us an email.

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Member Feedback

"I have learned a lot from this project and I'm so grateful for this opportunity. It has built my confidence and I have found new coping mechanisms and also a lot of benefits for my wellbeing."

- Young Person

"In doing [this project] they've found their voice. They have grown in confidence and learned to laugh again, to make friends, and start to imagine a future not ruled by their anxiety."

- Staff Member, Young Person Support

The Project has four strategic goals:

Facilitate Young Person participation by amplifying voice across services

Support Young People with personal development e.g. learning Mental Health skills etc.

Facilitate organisational transformation including staff training and support

Develop Peer Development pathways for intentional use of Lived-Experience in employed posts

 

Discovery Worksheets

Here are some of our worksheets that you may find useful:

The 5 Fs - Responses to Stress

Comfort Zones / Comfort Zones Example Sheet

Stretch Goals

Where do I feel my Emotions? / Where do I feel my Emotions Example Sheet

Self-Care Medals

Self-Care - BACE Diaries

Window of Tolerance

The Discovery Project spent a term working with students from The Quay School in Poole. An NHS Nurse, a Peer Specialist with lived experience of mental health, and a group of students worked together to discuss some of the ways that mental health can be affected by life and understand why this happens and how to develop skills to help manage this.

The students then developed a handbook to give to adults to help them understand how Young People feel and how they can best be supported.

Book of Oofs

How did we get here?

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Wellbeing and Recovery Partnership (WaRP)

Dorset HealthCare and the Dorset Mental Health Forum have formed the Wellbeing and Recovery Partnership (WaRP). The aim of the WaRP is to change the culture of mental health services and people’s attitudes to mental health and wellbeing in Dorset. Close collaboration between people with lived experience, their supporters and mental health professionals is at the heart of this partnership

More information about the work of WaRP and the progress being made is available through the Dorset Mental Health Forum.

Mental Health and learning disabilities