Dorset HealthCare Charitable Fund is the Charity for Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust. Dorset HealthCare runs a range of physical and mental health services both in the community and in hospital settings. Donations will benefit our patients, visitors and staff.
Our aim is to find permanent sustainable housing for our guests wherever possible. Currently 70% of our homeless guests are moved onto permanent accommodation. The remaining 30% do not engage with the centre, or it is not the right time for them to be permanently housed; they are not ready to be on this specific journey as yet for a number of reasons. For each guest to the centre a personal development folder is set up including a timetable of their activities and events. Within this personal development folder progress is tracked through a personal development plan including details of the support they have received. The centre compliments the activities of local services . The shelter is run by a manager, an administrator and about 120 volunteers.
We support young people towards responsible adulthood by encouraging valuable personal attributes and high standards of conduct. As well as providing youth development activities and training courses, we also support community events. All our adults involved in running the Unit are volunteers.
We aim to provide educational, nutritional, and behavioral support and services as well as diagnostic evaluation to children and young people with ADHD/ASD and other neurodiverse conditions facing financial hardship or adversity. We hold support groups, community events, and creative projects.
We sent out our first SOS in July 2022 and it was answered by the NHS and the WHO among others. We are now throwing a lifeline to all those who are living with the debilitating impact of Covid-19: Long Covid Recognition: We promote recognition and understanding, and use our voice to emphasise the importance of supporting people with Long Covid by working closely with government departments and ministers, institutions including the NHS, NIHR, ONS and NICE and international bodies such as the WHO. Research: We campaign for research into Long Covid, carry out our own surveys, and collaborate with researchers, including and promoting the voice of those with lived experience in a number of publicly-funded research projects. We advocate for appropriate, inclusive and relevant research and have representation on expert panels informing research priorities. Rehabilitation: We have had an ongoing dialogue with NHS England since August 2020, with regular meetings and updates to share information. We have been members of the Long Covid National Taskforce since its inception and have provided vital data through several surveys and reports.