Supporting Dorset’s communities through connection, resilience and early mental health support
CAN has been working in partnership with Dorset Community Foundation and NHS Dorset to deliver one-year and two-year grants under the Community Wellbeing and Mental Health Fund. This initiative has supported a wide range of activities and services for adults (18+) across the county of Dorset
The fund was designed to strengthen community-based mental health support by enabling local groups to deliver non-clinical, preventative activities. These initiatives help people stay connected, build resilience, and access support when they need it most, reducing reliance on formal healthcare services. The fund complements the Access Wellbeing programme, which aims to ensure people receive the right support, at the right time, and in the right place.
Grant award types
- Up to £10,000 for projects delivered over a 6–12 month period
- Up to £80,000 for initiatives running over two years (for groups established for at least two years).
Impact so far
- 42 groups received a one-year grant, totalling £360,000. So far, the initial £85,000 has benefitted 690 people (613 beneficiaries and 77 volunteers).
- 11 groups received a two-year grant, totalling £640,000. In year one, £310,000 has supported 1,330 people (1,139 beneficiaries and 191 volunteers).
These groups have delivered a wide range of activities, from gardening and creative arts to peer support networks, all contributing to improved wellbeing across Dorset.
Building a connected ecosystem
Over the past 12 months, we have hosted networking events for grant recipients, creating space for collaboration, learning, and connection. These events have not only helped groups learn more about each other’s projects and build relationships but have also been spaces to celebrate the incredible work and impact these groups have had in their communities.
They’ve also provided valuable opportunities to reflect on what needs to change to ensure continued success, helping shape the future of the fund and the wider Access Wellbeing ecosystem. These groups now work alongside Access Wellbeing Hubs and their Wellbeing Coordinators to enable people to access the support they need, when and where they need it.
We have also been working closely with funded groups to implement their projects and develop effective tools for data collection and impact measurement.
Learn more
Successful organisations
| Round One Funding | Grants of up to £10K |
| Group | Summary |
| Axminster and Lyme Cancer Support | Supporting people affected by cancer, specifically with its impact on their mental health & wellbeing, and providing peer-to-peer support and activities to improve mental health & wellbeing. |
| Emerald Ant | Nature Table, a creative programme designed for adults with mental health issues, to explore arts-based activities for positive mental health and wellbeing |
| Future Roots | “Growing for Growth” is a horticulture programme that offers young adults with mental health issues work-related learning and volunteering opportunities in a horticulture environment. |
| The HealthBus Trust | Contribution to a dedicated social prescriber to support patient-led non-clinical activities to improve the wellbeing and mental health of HealthBus patients. |
| Home-Start UK | Perinatal Mental Health support group ‘Mothers in Mind’, offering mums experiencing mental health issues a safe place of comfort and support. |
| Mudeford Wood Community Centre | Support sessions for adults experiencing stress and anxiety, including opportunities to access healing/alternative therapies, meditation techniques and arts and crafts. |
| Pavillion Dance South West | To develop and establish movement & wellbeing classes for people who are living with/at risk of developing a mental health condition. |
| Poole Waste Not Want Not | Social Supermarket offering a holistic approach to wellbeing. The grant will support opportunities for adults to engage in supportive activities led by volunteers and offering personal empowerment. |
| The Absolute Music Trust | Regular song writing, music making workshop and activities for adults who suffer from poor mental health and who struggle with addictions – referrals from local treatment centre (We Are With You). |
| Wild and Free Therapy | Outdoor support sessions for parents of disabled children offering Surfing/ Wild swimming/ Paddle-boarding/ Mindfulness/ Beach yoga/ Grounding exercises/Social time. |
| The Rendezvous Youth Resource Services | Weekly support groups and on-demand 1:1 emotional wellbeing support sessions for young parents (18-25) struggling with their mental health. |
| Grants up to £80k | |
| Group | Summary |
| Access Dorset | Personalised occupation within a community setting for adults with disabilities and health conditions, that addresses isolation, encourages peer support and improves mental and physical health & wellbeing. |
| CoCreate Dorset | “Create: Connect” creative courses designed for people with mental health issues, supporting mental health recovery and promoting wellbeing and connections with others. |
| EDAS | Open access ongoing support service with timetabled activities to support mental wellbeing, working with vulnerable and isolated adults who are at risk of mental health decline |
| Home-Start Wessex | Volunteer-led support for parents of babies/young children who are under pressure, fostering mental health through 1:1 home visits, group support & building vital community connections. |
| In Jolly Good Company | Varied activities to support older people and carers who are suffering isolation and who need to maintain and improve their wellbeing. |
| Options Wellbeing Trust | An Eating Difficulties Peer Support Network, encompassing groups, online forums, and a community buddy programme. Replicates a successful model delivered in Southampton. |
| Cherry Tree Nursery | Supporting expanded services for adults with mental health issues to engage in therapeutic horticulture activities and to find peer support, connectivity and volunteering opportunities |
| PramaLife | Enhancing the mental health of carers through peer support and a new preventative programme to empower carers to build their mental resilience and develop self-management techniques. |
| Sexual Trauma and Recovery Services (STARS) | Non-clinical wellbeing support for adults who have experienced sexual abuse, to include psycho-education, stabilisation, activity groups, mindfulness and online resources |
| The Burrough Harmony Centre | Supporting delivery of core drop-in activities, 1-to-1 and group support for adults with mental health issues, at an established Mental Health Drop-In / Community Front Room |
| The Horse Course | Equine-assisted interventions to embed resilience when talk-based support isn’t working & volunteering opportunities at the farm. For adults suffering from mental health issues. |
Round Two Funding
| Grant Application Name | Project Description – Summary |
| Acts Fast | A free,10-week, 1:1, trauma-informed service providing stabilisation, psychoeducation and support. The goal is to help the client create stability and develop healthy coping strategies. |
| Age UK North, South and West Dorset | Expand the Independent Living Support and services in North Dorset, enhancing outreach, reducing isolation and providing vital social and wellbeing support to older adults in rural areas. |
| B Sharp | Music-based support groups for new parents/carers, with their babies and toddlers, who are experiencing postnatal depression, poor mental health and social isolation to improve their wellbeing. |
| BEAF Arts Company Ltd | A new LGBTQ+ group for The Outsiders Project, creating a weekly creative writing group using the power of writing and performance to support the mental health and well-being of participants. |
| Bournemouth Foodbank | To extend the pilot project of ‘The Recovery Cafe’, which launched in April 2024 and has been very well attended. |
| Chill Dorset | Cold water swimming courses over 2 beach sites in Dorset: promoting better mental health and a self-sustaining community of support among like-minded individuals. |
| Christchurch Community Partnership | To increase our engagement activities to meet current demand. Social activities designed with food and connectivity as the conduit to preventing poor mental health. |
| Citizens Advice Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | A weekly full-day advice session at Poole Wellbeing Hub. |
| Deerview Equine Interventions | Delivery of 1:1 5-day ReStart courses, Non-Verbals Toolbox workshops, highlight sessions for small groups, and small group continuation sessions for participants who have completed the ReStart course. |
| Dorchester Arts | A 12-week creative therapy course for mothers experiencing postnatal depression and anxiety. |
| Dorset Community Action | 12-week self-esteem courses incorporating varied activities designed to improve a person’s wellbeing and empower them to continue their self-esteem journey beyond the programme. |
| Dorset Mind | Men-in-Mind group to support men’s mental health through physical activity. |
| Dorset Parent Infant Partnership | Facilitated parent support groups, Little Pips and DorPIP Dads, in-person 6-week courses, to provide peer support, reduce parental conflict and improve perinatal mental health in parents. |
| Ferndown Community Support CIC | Not-just-men’s Shed – a space for everyone to share and learn mending and making skills. |
| Grounded Community | Peer support and 1st Aid (MHFA) training for staff and facilitators; creation of online DIRECTORY OF SUPPORT and marketing of our services. |
| International Care Network Ltd | A Wellbeing Coordinator to support the mental health of asylum seekers and refugees, principally in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole areas. |
| Island Community Action | A year of taster experiences, a weekly social crafts club and a drive to increase the number of residents volunteering to support their own and our community’s health and wellbeing. |
| Launchpad Dorset CIC | Life in Balance – a bespoke exercise program which improves the mental health and wellbeing of adults who struggle with poor physical and mental health. |
| Lyme Regis Museum | Creative art sessions that tackle loneliness, social isolation, anxiety and depression, inspired by the museum and objects in the collection, as well as the history and environment of Lyme Regis. |
| People First Dorset | Interactive and engaging activities to empower 60-80 adults with learning disabilities in Weymouth and Dorchester to identify, improve and sustain their wellbeing and mental health. |
| Planet Purbeck | Nature and creativity-based mental health and wellbeing courses for the local community on the Isle of Purbeck. |
| Poole Communities Trust | A community well-being breakfast with 121 support and wellbeing activities. |
| POSITIVE PATH FOUNDATION | A programme of events, activities and life-skills workshops, and our Employability Scheme in Dorset. |
| Recreate Dorset | A creative well-being programme supporting adults managing complex health challenges, offering non-clinical interventions for positive outcomes for recovery, self-care and resilience. |
| Safe and Sound Dorset | Courses building confidence, pattern changing, improving skills and interactive behaviour, empowering women, healthy choices, self-care, recovery and wellbeing. |
| The Blackmore Vale Charity (aka The Vale Pantry) | Weekly activities and events aimed at building resilience and improving the health and wellbeing of those who struggle. |
| The Bus Shelter Dorset | Support working holistically with guests to improve their future. |
| The Footprints Project | Mental health activities and drop-in support. |
| The Power House (Poole) | Weekly and fortnightly Arts Wellbeing Sessions led by an experienced community arts practitioner for carers, lone parents, and those struggling with anxiety, low mood, depression, stress, and isolation. |
| Vita Nova | Funding for 5 weekly sessions in theatre, creative writing, music and two additional offers to support people in recovery: Vita Digital and Nature Walks |
| Water Lily Project | Mental health activities programme, including Mental Health Resilience Course, Craft & Gardening Group, Mindfulness Walking Groups, Cooking on a Together Course, and support for volunteering in the café. |
