A scheme in Swanage, Dorset, is being reinvigorated to help residents get the support they need to improve their wellbeing and mental health.
Community Connectors was set up by the charity Wellbeing Swanage in January 2023, based on the scheme pioneered in Frome in Somerset, which uses word-of-mouth to signpost people to services available in the local community.
The management of the attractive day centre building was transferred from Dorset Council to the Swanage and Purbeck Development Trust in March 2024
Bringing back more services to Swanage
Now that Wellbeing Swanage is based at the former day centre, it is looking to bring back even more services to Swanage including those providing family support, mental health, housing, loneliness support and employment advice.
The current programme already includes toddler groups, breastfeeding advice, health visitors, speech and language therapy, drug and alcohol services, and social prescribing. Care Dorset continues to offer a day centre for disabled and older people.
The buildings including the old Children’s Centre and The Centre are managed by Swanage and Purbeck Development Trust and are now collectively known as The Focus Centre. They are located on the High Street at the junction with Chapel Lane.
So to get the message out about the current and new services coming back to the town, those who signed up to become a Swanage community connector are being invited to come along to some new information sessions to get the latest update.
New people, organisations and businesses are also being encouraged to join up.
CEO of the Swanage and Purbeck Development Trust Ali Tuckey has a long to-do list in his new job!
“Helping others to get some support”
Ali Tuckey, who was a familiar face at Durlston Country Park, is now the CEO of the Swanage and Purbeck Development Trust. He said:
“Community connectors are people who can help friends, family, neighbours and people in Swanage and the surrounding area to find support.
“Anyone can be a community connector! It is not about volunteering, it’s about being someone in the community who knows there’s help out there.
“It’s about encouraging conversations, listening and being inquisitive. It is not about providing solutions, but helping people to find their own.
“You don’t need to be an expert on services – just by encouraging people to visit us at The Focus Centre you will be helping others to get some support.
“I’d really encourage people from all walks of life to sign up to an information session, whether you’re a taxi driver, hairdresser, student, or work in a cafe or shop.
“Anyone who has a bit of time to chat. Sometimes the only contact that some people have during the day is with those serving them in shops.
“We’d also like to hear from business owners, clubs and societies. It would be good to embed information about Community Connectors into staff training – we’d love to develop that!”
The Focus Centre is continuing to offer a day centre provided by Care Dorset for disabled and older people, alongside the services of the Family Hub including toddler groups, breastfeeding advice, and health visitor sessions, with more to come
Community Connector dates 2025
The sessions are no more than an hour, and include refreshments and a tour of The Focus Centre.
- Thursday 20th March at The Focus Centre, 107 High Street, Swanage BH19 2NB: 12 noon to 12.30 pm or 2 pm to 2.30 pm
- Tuesday 25th March at The Focus Centre, 107 High Street, Swanage BH19 2NB: 12 noon to 12.30 pm and 2 pm to 2.30 pm
- Tuesday 1st April at Herston Hall, 12 Jubilee Road, Swanage BH19 2SF: 12 noon to 12.30 pm
Further information
- To book, email focuscentre@sandpdt.org.uk or just turn up!
- More on Wellbeing Swanage Facebook page
