Dorset MP Visits New Community Front Room

Edward Morello, MP for West Dorset, has visited Dorchester’s new Community Front Room to meet staff and learn more about the vital mental health support now available in the town centre.

The service provides a safe and welcoming, non-clinical space for adults aged 18 and over who may be feeling distressed or approaching crisis, offering support without referral or diagnosis. Provided by BCHA in partnership with Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, the new Community Front Room is based at 19 High East Street and open Thursday to Sunday, 2:15pm to 9:45pm.

During the visit, Edward Morello met with frontline practitioners to hear how the drop-in model allows people to seek support early, often before their situation escalates. He noted, “I welcomed the opportunity to see the service first-hand and think the approach that allows people to seek help early, without barriers, is a great asset to the Dorchester community.”

The MP was shown how the space has been intentionally designed to feel informal and comfortable, more like a living room than a support service setting. Staff explained how visitors are welcomed into a relaxed environment, where they can talk things through at their own pace, create safety plans, and be signposted to additional services if needed.

The Dorchester Community Front Room joins existing sites in Bridport and Shaftesbury, each also offering online support through ‘Attend Anywhere’, designed to make support accessible to people across the county.

BCHA’s Business Manager for Mental Health Services, Shelly Hamon, said, “I am so pleased we have been able to showcase the Community Front Room and highlight support available during Edward Morello’s visit.

“It is so important to let the community know that there is accessible, compassionate support available, right on the high street. From Thursday through Sunday, 2.15pm until late - we are here for you. Come and have a chat if you feel like you need support.”

Edward Morello followed up with BCHA after his visit, saying, “It was a pleasure to visit Dorchester Community Front Room and to meet the dedicated staff behind it. They provide a vital service for our local community, offering support in a safe space for those who need it most. Services like this are invaluable and I will continue to champion the role of community organisations like this across West Dorset.”

Visitors can attend in person in Bridport, Dorchester and Shaftesbury, or access support through the Attend Anywhere virtual drop-in service. Further information is available via the Dorset HealthCare website.

In addition to the Dorchester site, BCHA is currently running a Community Front Room pop-up every Friday from 2:00pm to 10:00pm at AIMCreekmoor in Poole, extending support to more communities across the county.

Find out more 

For Community Front Room opening times, locations and virtual access details, visit the Dorset HealthCare website.

For information on the University Front Room, exclusively for students, visit the Bournemouth University website.