Stay safe and connected at Christmas in Dorset
We know that the festive season can be really hard for people. We are providing extended cover in our hubs to ensure that people can still get help if they need it (please see opening times below). We’ll also be manning our website/Facebook chat and responding to messages and there are lots of mutual aid groups meeting over the Christmas and New Year period where you can reach out for help and support from people who know just what it’s like for you.
We’ve also been in touch with our partners to find out what they are doing to support service users. We hope this is a useful reference point for people who might need some additional support, a hot meal, some mutual aid, a place to connect with people or a bed for the night. We’re updating this page as we receive more information.
To use Breaking Free Online for free, please contact 0800 043 4656 and get your code
provides invaluable support to the homeless, working very closely with the Bus Shelter, Shelter, Julian House and our very own Reach Out team. Services they offer are:
– GP
– Dentist
– Podiatry
– Citizens Advice
– Homeless Nurse
– You first
– Housing Advice
– Clothing
– Food bank vouchers
Start Groups
From Tuesday 4th January all groups return to normal
Monday 20th December
- Fight Back Mental Health – Boxing (Weymouth) with Matt
Tuesday 21st December
- ‘Earn the Turkey’ Circuits at Anytime Fitness (Dorchester) with Ross and Matt
- Bridport Talking Café – 2-3pm at Coffee #1
- ‘Busy Elves’ Art Group (Bridport) 3-4pm at Coffee #1 with Tanya
Friday 24th December
- Dorchester Talking Café – Meet at 11am at Shire Hall Café
Wednesday 29th December
- ‘Turkey Trot’ Walk with Conor, Meet 12pm at the Bandstand in the Borough Gardens, Dorchester
- Bridport Talking Café with Pam, 2-3pm, at Coffee #1
Thursday 30th December
- Virtual Coffee/Quiz Group with Hannah, 11am on Microsoft Teams – please contact Hannah on hannah.saunders1@nhs.net to request a link to the group and for more information.
- ‘Frosty Feet’ Walk with Conor, Meet 12pm at the Bandstand in the Borough Gardens, Dorchester
- ‘Mindfulness Magic’ Walk with Pam and Tanya – Meet 2pm at Allington Woods, Bridport
Friday 31st December
- Dorchester Talking Café – Meet at 11am at Shire Hall Café
To find out more about any of these groups contact:
START Staff Contact Numbers
Tanya 07768 375345
Hannah 07769 931698
Conor 07826 877538
Matt 07824 104646
Pam 07717 736234
Sarah 07717422049
