Local health & care watchdog Healthwatch Dorset has funded a shed, gazebo & barbeque for the BH1 Project community house in Boscombe.
The BH1 project is run by the Salvation Army and it supports over 70 people. One of their clients, Mark, told us: ‘the project saved my life, it’s massive to me. I had so many issues to deal with. If I hadn’t found this place I don’t know what I would have done’.
Margaret, another client, said ‘the Project makes me feel happy when I feel down, I can come in and talk to people’.
Joyce Guest, Healthwatch Dorset chairperson explains:
“We allocate some of our funding every year to community projects with local charities. One of those projects is with the Salvation Army BH1 Project, a community house in Boscombe which supports local people. They asked us for some funding to buy a shed so they can store people’s belongings safely while they’re using the centre, many of their clients are homeless so they have to carry all their belongings with them.
The BH1 project provides vulnerable people with much needed care & support so we were pleased to be able to help them in this small way.”
Ruth Mattingley the BH1 project manager told us: “We were able to buy a shed, gazebo and a small barbeque with the £300 that Healthwatch Dorset gave us. Everyone really enjoyed having BBQ’s here over the summer and the shed has given us the secure storage we needed. Without generous contributions like this we wouldn’t be able to continue the service we provide, so we’d like to say a big thank you to Healthwatch for their support.”
The BH1 project is always in need of toiletries for their clients and they are currently welcoming donations of Christmas gifts, please contact Ruth to find out more on 01202 393453.
Healthwatch Dorset is continuing to work with the BH1 project to gather feedback on local health & care services and to provide them with information and signposting.
To find out more about Healthwatch Dorset go to: www.healthwatchdorset.co.uk or call 0300 111 0102
Louise Bate
