South West Advocacy Network (SWAN) is a charity specialising in delivering independent advocacy. We have developed a model which ensures everyone, including the most vulnerable members of our communities, have the same rights and opportunities as their fellow citizens.
Our Pan Dorset Advocacy Service is independent, free at the point of delivery, confidential and non judgemental. Alongside our core service we will be co-producing and delivering Self Advocacy Workshops, empowering individuals who do not meet the criteria for statutory advocacy to develop self-advocacy skills.
We all have the right to an equal and fulfilling life and this shouldn’t be compromised by mental health difficulties. Sometimes during times of emotional distress, it can be difficult to make your wishes known, to feel or be heard. You may also struggle to understand what your rights are and how to access support and advice, this is when our Advocacy team may be able to help.
Our Advocates walk alongside people who need support during difficult times, they are supportive and non-judgemental, and work together with individuals to ensure their voice is heard and their rights are accessed.
We’re Access Dorset – an organisation run by and for disabled people, older people and carers. We’re building a community where everyone gets treated with dignity and respect, where we support one another, grow together and make a difference.
We support one another through our through our Information, Advice and Guidance Service, Crisis Advocacy Service, Vocational Skills Development Opportunities, Money Management Skills Training, and activities that reduce social isolation and improve health. These include our Horizons Community Café and our Build, Grow, and Cook groups, all of which we deliver from our beautiful resource centre at The Bridge.
Intercom Trust is a community-led charity that aims to build a South West region where people are treated with respect, celebrated, and where vibrant LGBT+ communities live with real equality.
Here are some of the services we offer:
People First Dorset was set up in 2004, as a user led charity, supporting people with learning disabilities to develop their self-advocacy skills.
We achieve the above by providing friendship, fun, support groups, forums, easy read and quality checking services. People with learning disabilities should be assured of their independence, their ability to choose, and their inclusion in community life. This requires confidence, communication skills and the ability to challenge.
We currently run the following projects:
2 Herringston Barn, Herringston, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 9PU United Kingdom
WIRED is youth service providing intervention, education and training in supporting young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing. We work directly with vulnerable and at-risk adolescents in parallel with equipping their wider communities and professionals in the sector. Services are delivered in BCP and the wider Dorset surrounding areas.
The Fuse Project
Parent Awareness Workshops
All parent awareness workshops promote mental health awareness and provide a safe space to gain essential knowledge of how mental health impacts the lives of young people, to ask questions and learn practical ways of support.
We want to free ex-offenders from the cycle of reoffending by creating jobs that change lives for good, to bring employment rates up and reoffending rates down.
By creating trusted brands and respected businesses, we mean to prove that employing ex-offenders makes business sense, and help shift business attitudes towards employing them.
To make this happen, we provide training on the inside, employment on the outside and pastoral support on all sides.
We set up viable profitable businesses that make proper use of the talent and determination of our employees.
The Dorset Business Mentors program was developed to improve the resilience, improvement and growth of micro, small and medium business and achieves this with an unrivalled service ranging from personal support to skills development workshops and peer networking.
Dorset Business Mentors, c/o Economic Growth & Regeneration Team, County Hall, Colliton Park Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1XJ
Innovate Dorset is an Alternative Provision offering the following services to children and young people-:
Mentoring, Tutoring, Listening Service for Young People, Holiday Programmes and Bespoke Support.
We strongly believe in meeting the needs of the young people and building a programme that supports their individual needs and supports them in their journey to adulthood.
Wimborne Community Learning & Resource Centre 41-44 King Street Wimborne, Dorset BH21 1EB
Statutory Advocacy under the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.
Continuing Heathcare Advocacy.
We do not provide support with legal issues, NHS complaints, benefits or housing issues. See our website for eligibility criteria and referral forms.
13-15 Jubilee Court Paceycombe Way, Poundbury Dorchester, Dorset DT1 3AE
The charity’s objects are to promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of persons who have a learning disability in the county of Dorset.
The principal activities of the charity are:
● Promoting self advocacy for Forum members so that they can individually and collectively express their needs and aspirations.
● Enabling the Forum members to influence initiatives and policies which affect their lives.
● Providing information to members and the wider community about the Forum and the lives of people with learning disabilities.
Rossmore Leisure Centre, Herbert Avenue, Poole, Dorset,BH12 4HR
