Mental health support has become even more accessible with a new video call service.

Bridport Community Front Room, as well as those in Wareham and Shaftesbury, can now offer free face-to-face consultations using the NHS’ Attend Anywhere.

Prior to lockdown, the Community Front Room in Gundry Lane - provided by Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA) and run in partnership with The Burrough Harmony Centre - offered a drop-in service where adults in mental health crisis could find support. The drop-in side ceased when the scale of the pandemic became apparent and, until now, the service was only able to offer telephone support.

However, with the launch of the new video consulting system, a virtual face-to-face service has resumed.

Sarah Mullins, BCHA business manager, said: “Being the first third sector provider to use Attend Anywhere outside of Dorset Healthcare is a very exciting development for BCHA and our charity partners, Burrough Harmony and Hope, in helping us all to deliver the Community Front Rooms. It will open up new channels for contact with customers, while the drop-in is unavailable during this difficult time and is an added bonus on top of the 24/7 connection phone line service.”

Staffed by both mental health professionals and trained peer specialists, Community Front Rooms offer an alternative to the clinical, medicalised approach. Staff are there to help those in crisis find their own strengths and resources, to give advice or guidance and to offer an empathetic ear.

Tracey Marshall, Dorset Healthcare’s crisis and acute community services manager, said: “Attend Anywhere has been vital in providing local people with health care support during the pandemic and we are delighted to extend the service to the Community Front Rooms.

“Sometimes people feel more able to talk through their problems when they can see the other person and you can do it in the comfort of your own home, or wherever is convenient to you.”

Bridport Community Front Room is available Thursday to Sunday from 3.15pm to 10.45pm and can be accessed at https://bit.ly/2Q41EkA or by calling 0300 123 5440.

A spokesman for The Burrough Harmony Centre said: “If you feel you are reaching a crisis point with your mental health and need support with your wellbeing, the Bridport Community Front Room is here for you.

“We offer a welcoming, non-judgemental and safe space for you to come and be, to talk and to be listened to. Mental health practitioners and peer specialists specially trained for working in the Community Front Room are here to help you work out your next steps for your wellbeing. You do not need a referral.”