Our story began in 1992, around the time the asylums in Dorset closed, with a small group of people gathering together to have a voice alongside statutory services. In those days, people who experienced emotional distress and problems with their mental health were not able to speak openly about their experiences, or to have a voice in their own care and treatment.

Over the last 30 years, our story has evolved along with people’s understanding and attitudes towards mental health. Our work continues to be shaped by the needs and challenges faced by people and communities across Dorset.

The Forum of today is built on the experiences and Recovery journeys of thousands of local people, whose struggles and successes are embedded within the DNA of our organisation.

Many of us here at the Forum struggled in our younger days and reflect on the lack of opportunities to make sense of our experiences. We look back wondering if we had known then what we know now would our journeys have been different.

We have developed our young peer projects and activities to draw directly on the experience and expertise of young people within our community. We work closely with schools and youth projects to amplify the voices of young people.

Our Mission is to increase understanding of mental health, to support people’s Recovery and to build capacity within services and communities to bring about change.

To find out more about us, please visit our website.