'You never feel like a burden,' say hub users

Harry Kille-Smith,BBC Radio Solent and
Katie Waple,South of England
Sohna said the hub was there when she needed to cry and talk to someone

Help looks different depending on the challenges in life.

Sometimes it means getting medical help, sometimes it means help with practical things like paperwork, and sometimes it means a listening ear and a cup of tea.

Access Wellbeing has 30 sites across Dorset that provide free mental health and wellbeing support to anyone aged 18 and over, with no appointment needed.

Its site in the Boscombe area of Bournemouth has celebrated its first anniversary, and in that year it has supported more than 600 people in the community.

The service also has hubs in Weymouth and Poole, with 27 drop-in centres in community venues like town halls.

Joshua Hevicon, service development lead for Access Wellbeing East Dorset, said: "It's amazing to think how far we've come in just 12 months."

The service is delivered through a partnership between the voluntary sector and the NHS.

Sohna, 44, from Gambia, has been living in Bournemouth for 19 years and said she experienced domestic violence in 2016.

"I became homeless and very depressed. I thought I could hold it for a very long time and be strong but I had a breakdown," she said.

"I went to see my GP and the mental health doctor referred me here, to the wellbeing hub."

She said the wellbeing mentor at the hub just let her cry first, because that was what she needed.

"They have helped me a lot, to identify myself and find my voice."

Zavier is smiling and has red hair which is tied up in a bun, has rosy cheeks and is wearing a gold jumper with gold jewellery
Zavier said she had been struggling until the hub gave her confidence

Zavier, 25, from Bournemouth, heard about the hub as she was "picking up the pieces of her life again" after going through a mental health crisis.

She said it helped her put her relationships, career goals and self-esteem back together after that "traumatic experience".

"The one-to-one sessions gave me the opportunity to talk about the elements of my life that I've been struggling with and the confidence to take those action," she said.

"You never feel like a burden and the team help you to feel super confident."

Leanda Lee, smiling at the camera has dark shoulder length hair, blue eyes and is wearing dark framed glasses and a white blouse.
Hub manager Leanda Lee said no one needed to book an appointment

Hub manager Leanda Lee said: "Most people see our sign on the building and just walk in, to get help with their wellbeing.

"There is no need to book an appointment, we are here to help and support when people need it.

"People have been aware of the hub, because of the work we have connecting with the community and lots of other services, so they might be sign posted here to us."

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