Safe and Sound Dorset works with women who are isolated or at risk in the community who are often experiencing multiple disadvantages some of which might be homelessness, mental health issues, family breakdown, long term illness, drug and alcohol misuse and these issues may be complicated through other things such as age, disability, race or sexuality.

Our community not for profit cafe is in BH1 4BT , which is one of the most deprived areas in this community. These are the roads where we do our late night street outreach to women on the streets at their most vulnerable, sometimes homeless, often rough sleeping, sofa surfing in temporary or supported housing. We invite them into our safe space women’s sessions. 

Belonging to a community addresses social issues of positive inclusion enabling women to build their confidence.

We run 10 sessions a week mainly based in our cafe at BH1 4BT, an area where people are most likely to be deprived due to lack of education, employment, are disabled and have overcrowded or poor housing.

Cyber safety and financial well-being 

Many people feel terrified at the prospect of filling in a form on line. 😣  Many surf the net not realising the dangers lurking.

We want to help demystify technology and digital skills with practical help, whilst understanding ways to stay safe on-line, protecting finances and ID

We run specialist sessions for women throughout the year, courses on personal development, digital upskilling, scams’ awareness, top tips for Tax, self assessment returns, debt advice, alongside our Citizens Advice and Shelter drop-ins.  All support financial resilience empowering women to become more tech savvy, navigate potential on-line fraud and identity theft, understand the dangers of  cyber bullying, or ‘Catfishing’ (the process of luring someone into a relationship by means of a fictional online persona often to defraud them of money.)

Our overall strategy is always underpinned by our beliefs and values. These values include an understanding of how much a support system around each person can make a huge difference. Barriers of disadvantage and low income affect the lives of many women struggling in isolation and can be alleviated through small means such as  community meals, laundry and shower facilities as well as a chance to connect up in small ways throughout each week, do courses together, get good professional advice, eat together and do creative and physical activities together. Women also go on to volunteer in our sessions and cafe, gain employment and bring ideas so we can collaboratively create our yearly programme.

Every week  at The Well coffee lounge (BH1 4BT) we run a 2 hour housing group which hosts Shelter and the Citizens Advice Bureau.  This is a place where women can touch base with a professional service, asking for help with specific issues such as eviction notices, domestic violence, debt management and household support. It is fast becoming an important hub for women’s issues.  We want to extend our services to other areas in Dorset. 

We also include exercise in our creative sessions, the miracle cure we've always had, but for too long we've neglected to take our recommended dose!  Our chair-based exercise sessions are integrated into all our women’s sessions to encourage physical well being, to combat  chronic stress and improve mental health and physical well-being.

Our cafe supports 6 part time employees, some volunteers, work placements and an apprenticeship.
It is an important part of our sustainability plan for our charity, encouraging best working practice, health and safety, barista skills, qualifications in food hygiene and handling. Soft skills such as time keeping, front of house social skills, plus basic service in hospitality.