Local mental health charity Dorset Mind is excited to invite guests to join them on 24th October 2024 at the award-winning Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth to enjoy a fun evening, whilst raising vital donations to support an important cause. The charity hopes to raise enough to help them roll-out critical mental heath and wellbeing services for people in Dorset, specifically young people, aged 9 years-old upwards.
The Black-Tie Gala evening begins at 6.30pm with arrival drinks served on the terrace overlooking the stunning Bournemouth Bay, and includes a sprinkling of magic, a lavish 3-Course Meal and unique auction – followed by an evening of live music, networking and dancing. Carriages should arrive by 11.30pm.
Dorset Mind’s services have never been more needed, but like other local and national charities, they face a challenging financial landscape, whilst simultaneously experiencing an increasing demand for their support.
The early intervention and preventative services the charity delivers to local people is crucial. The NHS is under increasing pressure – the number of children in Dorset with an open referral rose from around 1,475 at end of September 2019 to 3,695 in September 2023. There are widely reported concerns of a growing young person’s mental health epidemic.
Dorset Mind supports an approximately two thousand young people a year that often present with complex emotional needs and are often in a state of mental health crisis. The charity is inundated with referrals and requests for support from desperate young people and distressed parents – and wants to expand their support to meet this unprecedented demand.
The quote below illustrates how important the charity’s support is for young people. It was taken from a case study from our Ecotherapy Group Facilitator about a young student who attends our Gardening Group ‘Eco in Mind,’ in Poundbury, Dorchester.
Georgia said, “Whilst the young person’s self-harming significantly increased over a 6-month period since October 2023, Eco in Mind is the only place they feel calm, and it is the only off-site location the school sends the student.
The school feels the young person benefits greatly from sessions. They are able to self-regulate their emotions, connect with nature and the other students, find kindness and compassion and most importantly relax and be free from traumatic thoughts.”
Linda O Sullivan, Dorset Mind’s CEO, adds: “I am thrilled that we are able to give businesses, education and our people the chance to make connections whilst having fun during our special evening. But we mustn’t forget the underlying message – Dorset Mind needs funding to help provide their impactful support for the community and the Gala Ball provides the opportunity for us to ask our guests to dig deep and pledge support. For a young person, the support we give is priceless – we don’t just transform lives, in some cases we really do save lives.”
To reserve your place at the ‘Empowering Minds’ Gala Ball, please follow this link: https://dorsetmind.uk/get-involved/the-empowering-minds-gala-ball/
To enquire about sponsorship opportunities, please email Nick Rowe directly at partnerships@dorsetmind.uk.