Newly refurbished Weymouth hub welcomes MP
MP for South Dorset Lloyd Hatton visited the newly refurbished Access Wellbeing Weymouth & Portland hub at Hope House, Weymouth on Friday 4 July, to see first-hand the difference Access Wellbeing’s services make.
The hub at Hope House is one of several local Access Wellbeing services and provides vital mental health and wellbeing support to the local community. It has recently undergone a full refurbishment, transforming it into a more welcoming and therapeutic space for local people seeking support.
Mr Hatton said: “It’s fantastic to be able to visit the newly re-opened Access Wellbeing hub at Hope House, in Weymouth. The hub and the Access Wellbeing drop-ins are a truly essential service, delivering mental health and wellbeing support for our entire community. I’m pleased to back the team here who do incredible work supporting our town and community.”
Operated by The Lantern Trust, the hub offers one-to-one support, group activities, and wellbeing sessions for people across Weymouth and Portland. The newly refurbished space has been carefully designed with the community’s needs at its heart, with sensitive colour schemes, lighting and flexible spaces.
The hub at Hope House is one of seven Access Wellbeing spaces in the local area. In addition to the hub, The Lantern Trust also provides six community drop-in spaces in Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester. These are open to anyone aged 18 looking for mental health and wellbeing support, with no appointment needed.
Mr Hatton met with Access Wellbeing Manager Katie Turner to talk about how the service and its team of wellbeing coordinators are supporting the community. Katie said: “Since opening the doors to the hub back in February 2024, we have supported over 5,000 members of the community within Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester, either through 1:1 support, visits to our drop-in spaces or from someone attending one of the many groups that are held at the hub, such as yoga and art-based sessions. I have seen first-hand the positive impact the service is having on the community, enabling early access to vital wellbeing support.”
Mike Graham, CEO of The Lantern Trust, said: “We’re so excited to have a newly refurbished space at Hope House. We know from work in trauma-informed environments that it’s so important people feel valued when they walk into a space. We can deliver that here at Hope House. We’ve thought about colour schemes and light, and have created a range of different areas that work for different people and groups. There are relaxed spaces for one-to-one appointments, areas for larger groups and meetings, as well as refreshed areas for our incredible staff to work from. The space really feels like it’s come alive.”
Tanya Bailey, Education, Training and Employment Coordinator at The Lantern Trust, runs a creative writing group at the hub, as well as other sessions. She said: “Hope House provides a safe and accessible environment to hold group activities. People feel welcomed and supported by the soothing space and helpful staff team. These are important factors that enable positive experiences and familiarity, and encourage people to return and engage.”
Attendees at one of the hub’s yoga groups agreed, describing it as “spacious and clean”, “calming and inviting” and observing that “it feels like a safe space”.
Details on all the Access Wellbeing services across Dorset, including opening times and locations, can be found in our Places and Spaces section.
