Being a carer can be very isolating at times and can leave you feeling very lonely.
Our Here to Talk befriending service
Our Here to Talk service is now up and running for an initial trial period thanks to funding from Dorset Community Foundation – www.carersupportdorset.co.uk/here-to-talk
If you would like a regular, informal chat with a volunteer please call us on 0800 368 8349 or email admin@carersupportdorset.co.uk and we can add you to our list.
Community lunches
Community lunches can be a great way of meeting new people, to have some food in a relaxed, information environment and often for a very minimal charge.
Community lunches take place in locations across Dorset, get in touch with Carer Support Dorset and we can help signpost you to the closest lunch clubs to you – www.carersupportdorset.co.uk/contact-us
Join groups and meet new people
Natural Choices Dorset – www.dorsetlnp.org.uk/natural-choices – Encourages and enable people to improve their physical health and mental wellbeing through different activities within the natural environment. Various activities take place across Dorset (including Poole) and include things such as:
- Health walks
- Conservation tasks
- Gardening
- Nordic walking
- Nature walks
Dorset Ramblers have a number of Dorset walking groups, with groups set up across the county – www.dorset-ramblers.org.uk/groups-in-dorset-area
Health walks with Dorset Council – led by trained volunteer health walk leaders, these walks are ideal for beginners and offer a great opportunity to get out in the fresh air and meet new people. They also offer healthy cycling groups for a range of abilities which can also be booked on their website – www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/dorset-health-walks
Dorset Mind – deliver a number of support groups and activity led groups, find out more on their website – www.dorsetmind.uk
In Jolly Good Company – www.injollygoodcompany.com – offer Step Outside gardening groups which meet every Friday afternoon at Kingston Lacy and every 2nd and 4th Monday afternoon at Woodhouse Gardens in Blandford. Each session is 2 hours long. Activities include gardening, relaxing, chatting and catching up, cutting flowers, harvesting, walking and arts and crafts.
You can also sign up to their newsletter to keep up to date with their latest Jolly Days activities which are currently running outside.
Flourish, Poole – www.holtonlee.org/holding-page/flourish – offer a volunteering project for approximately 6 months where participants will join a team for one day a week and gain practical hands on experience, skills and knowledge in conservation and horticulture. They welcome disabled people, those living with mental health issues and people wanting to improve their wellbeing. Participants learn new skills, work with others in a team and connect with nature.
Dorset Mental Health Forum – www.dorsetmentalhealthforum.org.uk/be-connected/social-connection – offer a range of activities every month from football, gardening, the gym or golf or stay home and connect virtually with our online gaming groups and book club.
Join in with activities
From exercise classes, games and music. We can help signpost you to activities that you can join in with so please contact us.
You can see a list of carer-focused groups and activities here – www.carersupportdorset.co.uk/support-groups-in-the-community
