Charity expands support across Dorset

Dorset Mind has announced it has expanded its ecotherapy service, ‘Eco in Mind,’ by launching a new allotment plot in Weymouth. Eco in Mind began life in Dorchester by offering its residents practical support whilst offering a service and a safe space for those struggling with their mental health.

The outcomes are phenomenal – when asked, 100 per cent of participants report an increase in their mood from the start to the end of the sessions, and 80 per cent of participants (attending since Jan 22) claim they have seen an improvement in their mental wellbeing.

After huge success in Dorchester, the new service offers the people of Weymouth a chance to build their confidence, self-esteem and resilience whilst connecting them with their surroundings and their communities. Working on the allotments as a volunteer or participant will help them discover the benefits of being outside and working with nature.

As well as growing bedding and other herbaceous plants, the project also grows and harvests numerous types of fruits and vegetables which are then donated to local food banks for families in the area who may need them most. Over the last year, food from the allotments helped support over 200 families in Dorchester and the charity hopes to repeat this in Weymouth. This gives the project an additional purpose that the local community can benefit from.

Dorset Mind CEO Linda O’Sullivan said: “Ecotherapy is somewhat of an unsung hero when it comes to a more holistic and ‘hands on’ form of therapy for mental health. Ecotherapy is known to improve physical and mental health whilst also positively impacting mood – and reducing stress and anger. You could also say it’s a form of mindfulness.

“Additionally, Eco in Mind provides its service users with a live project, which is constantly changing and growing, meaning that our participants are actively caring and nurturing something; all whilst learning how to actively do the same for their own mental health and wellbeing.”

Eco in Mind project coordinator, Dan Bradshaw, added: “The new Weymouth site is great. The best part about it is that we are at the beginning, which means that our volunteers and participants can see the transformation from what started as an overgrown field to what will be a beautiful space over the coming months and years, thanks to their arduous work and commitment. There are other plots like ours, an orchard, some woodland, and forest school and there will be some classrooms and kitchen for making a product to sell to pay for the running of the site, so it is all exciting.”

Dr Andy Mayers, principal academic at Bournemouth University and Dorset Mind patron said: “I am so delighted to see this expansion of our ecotherapy projects at Dorset Mind. There are so many positives in using nature to improve wellbeing, including being more mindful of our environment. This is something close to my own heart, having recently transformed our own garden into a haven for wildlife and growing our own produce. The result is very uplifting for my own wellbeing.”

The Eco in Mind team offers weekly sessions in Dorchester on Monday and Thursday mornings from 10:30am, and afternoons from 12pm; and Wednesday mornings from 9am and afternoons at 2pm in Weymouth.

If you are interested in participating or would like to know more about Eco in Mind, email: ecoinmind@dorsetmind.uk and one of the team will be more than happy to help you.

Or, if you wanted to help run the sessions, the charity welcomes volunteers to work on the project and help deliver this life-changing service.

Dorset Mind would like to take this opportunity to say a huge ‘thank you’ to the project’s founders and benefactors Mark and Claire Meyers of Meyers Estate Agents for creating and funding this project in its infancy. Originally known as The GAP Project, their support enabled the charity’s mission to support and improve the mental health of Dorset residents.

Dorset Mind delivers mental health education, training, and 1-2-1 and group support for adults and young people across Dorset. www.dorsetmind.uk/help-and-support

FOCUS ON education

with Weymouth College

What are T Levels and why are they important for business in Dorset?

T Levels herald one of the biggest reforms to qualifications for 16-19 year olds in England for many years.

With a staggered introduction of 23 new two-year courses (due to complete in September 2023) T Levels combine classroom learning, practical learning and a substantial 45-day quality-led industry placement and are equivalent to three A Levels (attracting UCAS points in a similar way).

T levels are becoming a significant choice option for students post GCSE and will sit alongside apprenticeships, A Levels and other post 16 qualifications.

T Levels are based on the same standards as apprenticeships but differ in the students they will attract. T Levels prepare students for work, further training or further study whilst the 80 per cent on-the-job element of an apprenticeship is more suited to those students who are ready to enter the workforce at 16.

One of the standout features of the T Level course offer is the involvement of business in its creation, development and implementation. The offer has been developed with direct involvement from employers and businesses to ensure that course content meets the needs of industry and strongly prepares students for work.

The industry placement element offers employers early access to upcoming local workforce talent.

You will see the student working in your business and can consider first-hand if their skills, knowledge and attitude may be a good fit for your company in the future.

The placement will also offer the opportunity to develop in-house mentoring skills, provide extra resource and potentially offer new ideas which may encourage the consideration of new and alternative approaches.

At Weymouth College, we are now opening applications for September 2023 start T Levels in Education and Childcare and Health and Science (Adult Nursing). Would you like to work with us to craft the high-quality industry placement elements for these courses ensuring they work hard for both you and our first wave T level students?

Talk to us today and find out more about how we can work together on our new T Level offer. martin_oliver@weymouth.ac.uk 01305 761100 www.weymouth.ac.uk/t-levels/