6 minute read
Christmas Countdown
Help for those in crisis this Christmas
Mental health services in Dorset will remain open over Christmas and new year
THE COUNTY’S Access Mental Health services will be open as usual to provide support during the festive period for people who are struggling to cope, anxious or feeling they are heading towards a crisis.
Led by Dorset HealthCare, the services offer round-the-clock help and advice to those in need, in person, over the phone and online over Christmas and the new year.
As the UK has emerged from the pandemic and the cost of living crisis has kicked in, the county’s 24-hour helpline alone has fielded thousands of calls each month during 2022.
Services available include: • Connection – a 24/7 telephone helpline (0800 652 0190) for people of all ages which can provide direct help or signpost to a range of other services • The Retreat – drop-in service run in partnership with the Dorset Mental Health Forum which provides a way for over-18s to talk through problems with a mental health worker or peer specialist face-toface. The Dorchester Retreat is open from 4.30pm to 11.30pm, Sunday to Wednesday. Online support is also available • Community Front Rooms – face-to-face drop-in support service for over-18s in Bridport, Shaftesbury, Wareham and Weymouth, open from 2.15pm to 9.45pm, Thursday to Sunday. Virtual support is also available. They are run by local charities – The Burrough Harmony Centre (Bridport), Hope (Shaftesbury) and Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (Wareham and Weymouth) – and are all staffed by mental health and peer support workers.
Laura Ekelund, Dorset HealthCare’s Crisis and Acute Community Services manager, said: “This year has continued to challenge people’s mental health. We know this time of year can be particularly hard for many and we are here to help.
“Our Access Mental Health services provide easy and flexible ways to get the help you need, no matter what your situation or the time of day.
“We have face-to-face support available in the evenings and there is someone at the
Christmas Countdown
end of a phone 24 hours a day. You can talk to mental health staff and peer specialists (people with their own lived experience of mental health issues) and get the right support and advice.
“We understand how hard it can be to ask for help, but please do contact us as we really want to listen and are here for you 24/7.”
For more information – including address details of the Retreats and Community Front Rooms – plus how to access virtual support, visit www. dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/access-mentalhealth.
Look forward to seeing you in 2023 We Heat South
01258 426123 www.weheatsouth.co.uk Thank you for your support during 2022 Wishing you a happy Christmas & New Year
Look forward to seeing you in 2023 Walton House Antiques
01747 860050 www.waltonhouseantiques.co.uk
Look forward to seeing you in 2023 Andrew Barclay Butchers Ltd
01963 31249 andrewbarclaybutchers@gmail.com
Thank you to all our customers & suppliers for your support in 2022
DIKE& SON
Wishing you a peaceful and relaxing Christmas, from all the team x
Dike & Son, Stalbridge Dorset DT10 2NB 01963 362204 www.dikes-direct.co.uk Christmas Opening: Fri 23 Dec 8am-8pm Sat 24 Dec 7am-6pm Christmas Day Closed Boxing Day Closed Tue 27 Dec 8am-4pm Wed 28 & Thur 29 Dec 8am-6pm Fri 30 Dec 8am-8pm Sat 31 Dec 8am-6pm New Year’s Day Closed
A dog’s life
Charity founder organises vet clinic for hundreds of Sri Lankan street dogs – but she needs your help to treat more
AN animal lover from Sturminster Newton is heading on a volunteer trip to Sri Lanka in a bid to improve the lives of street dogs in the poverty-stricken country.
Alena Warburton first visited Sri Lanka in 2019 on her honeymoon, but was left devastated at the plight of dogs living on the streets. Since then she has self-funded two volunteer trips and set up a charity called Lucas Helps Dogs – named after her late pet – to support the some six million street dogs in Sri Lanka.
It funds spay and neuter clinics, rabies vaccinations, emergency treatments and aims to educate locals in animal welfare.
Alena said: “When I was first in Sri Lanka I saw a waiter brutally kick a heavily pregnant dog at a restaurant. At the time it really shocked me but I now know that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
“The charity pays for emergency treatment to help injured and disabled dogs, but we are determined to spay and neuter as many street dogs as possible. Rabies is also prevalent over there, so we ensure every dog we treat is given a rabies vaccination.”
Alena runs the charity with two friends and in January the trio carried out their first spay, neuter and vaccination clinic in a part of the island called Ella. They funded the treatment of 50 animals..
They had planned to carry out a clinic for 500 dogs in 2023, but the economic crisis has sent costs soaring and means they will have enough for only half that number.
Alena said: “The vet bills in Sri Lanka have nearly doubled due to petrol and medication costs which has vastly reduced the number
Man guilty over biker’s death in village crash
A 42-YEAR-OLD who killed a motorcyclist by deliberately driving into him has pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.
Paul Barrett, of White Road, Mere, pictured, appeared at Winchester Crown Court On December 20 and has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing in January.
The charge relates to the death of motorcyclist Ryan Brindley, who died following a collision on the B3089 Hindon Road, in Dinton, shortly before 7.30pm on December 22, 2021.
That evening, Barrett had left an address in Mere, driving a Volkswagen Touran, to apparently travel to Wilton.
However, dash cam footage from that vehicle showed him driving through the village of Dinton a number of times, reaching speeds of up to 80mph despite it being a 30mph zone.
He then observed lone motorcyclist Ryan, 43, coming in the opposite direction, so turned around and followed him, driving at high speed to catch him up.
Barrett then deliberately collided with the rear of the motorcycle, carrying it along the road and causing Ryan to fall off onto the ground.
Ryan was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Barrett was arrested and taken to hospital for assessment before being taken into police custody. of dogs we can treat.
“It’s devastating after working so hard all year that we might not reach our target, and now we are desperately trying to raise as much money as we can. The cost of neutering and vaccinating one street dog is now around £25 but it is the only way to reduce the number of dogs on the street and more being born into a life of misery.”
Alena added: “There’s very few animal lovers in Sri Lanka and the ones who do care for them really do have their work cut out. We are doing our best to help as much as we can, and appreciate any support to continue our work changing the lives of street dogs.”
Visit www.lucashelpsdogs.com for more information or to donate to Alena’s campaign.
Contemporary or traditional kitchens manufactured to order
Gillingham Showroom 01747 833 789
Unit 21, Kingsmead Business Park, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5JG Opening Hours Monday–Friday: 9am–5pm by appointment only. Closed Saturday & Sunday. www.solsticekitchens.co.uk
