About Us
Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing of local people since 2014
The Harmony Centre is a local Bridport charity that works “for the relief of persons suffering from, or recovering from mental health problems by providing support, information and activities helping them further their recovery and integrate into the community.” It serves a population of about 42,000 people.
“The Harmony Centre is widely recognised as the mental health hub for the whole community of Bridport and surrounding areas.”
Our Vision
“Relieve people suffering from, or recovering from, mental health challenges by providing support, information and activities, helping them further their recovery and integrate into the community,
Promote pathways and activities that support a positive mental health lifestyle.”
Our Aims are to:
“Listen to the mental health needs of the community and respond accordingly,
Be an organisation that is easily accessible via all means of communication technology”
Support our Members to manage their own recovery - pursuing their own goals and aspirations, while supporting each other,
Exert a positive influence on the provision of services by other agencies, which impact on the lives of local people living with mental health challenges.”
Our Objectives are to:
Our People
At The Harmony Centre, we believe that lived experience is the cornerstone of our mental health services. Our team, comprised primarily of individuals who have personally navigated mental health challenges, is passionate about creating a community where mental health is understood, accepted, and discussed openly.
Harmony History
September 25th 2014
The Harmony drop-in centre which was originally called Crisis and Care was officially opened at No. 5 Downes Street, Bridport, with a group of local residents and centre users attending. Harmony was co-founded by local residents Ros Kayes, Lesley Archibald and Roz Copson who identified a clear need in response to cuts in local services.
2015 – 2016
Membership grew and funds were raised by car boot sales, stalls in Bucky Doo Square, West Bay Days, Bridport Carnival plus other events. Funding was provided by Dorset Health Care Trust, Bridport Town Council, the League of Friends of Bridport Community Hospital and others. Ron Shields, Chief Executive of Dorset Mental Health Trust noted “being with other people and in a sociable environment and being able to engage in occupational activities is brilliant and there is a vibrancy and enthusiasm, and socialisation is so important.”
2016
Due to a growing number of members the charity spent some time in the upstairs rooms of Bridport Youth Centre where there was more room and visitors could do more activities. During this time the visitors voted to change the name to Harmony.
2018
Harmony was part of the successful bid put forward by Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA) to provide a new service which was starting up, Community Front Room (CFR). This offers crisis mental health support and is staffed by mental health professionals and Peer Specialists.Harmony was given a real kick start to its funding with a huge donation of £40,000 each year for two years running by Pam Burrough from a legacy left by her husband Graham Burrough, a local accountant. The charity became known as The Burrough Harmony Centre. The charity has been lucky enough to be supported by a number of other trusts and foundations over the years including Alice Ellen Cooper Dean, Valentines, Albert Gubay, Garfield Weston, Edward Gosling and others.
2019
Harmony moved to The Assembly Rooms in Gundry Lane, Bridport and was awarded the contract to provide the Community Front Room service bid for the previous year. The centre opened on July 11th 2019 and within half an hour the first visitors arrived.
2020 - 2021
In March 2020 the pandemic meant working patterns and service changed. The team operated a virtual zoom drop-in and telephone support. Allotment space by the community orchard continued to operate when restrictions allowed. The CFR staff worked from home virtually via online platforms. The staff worked above and beyond during the pandemic, providing much needed mental health support.
October 2022
The Burrough Harmony Centre presented “Around the Mind in 80 Days”, a unique insight into mental health challenges incorporated into a theatrical event of creative art. The performance took place at Bridport Arts Centre on 10th October, World Mental Health Day.
December 2022
In December 2022 Harmony was nominated for the King’s Award, the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK, equivalent to an individual receiving an MBE. There followed an invitation for two volunteers to attend the Royal Garden Party on 21st May 2024, and it is anticipated that the award will be presented by the Lord Lieutenant of the county during 2024.
March 2023
Harmony was fortunate to receive an amount of £300,000 over 5 years from the National Lottery Community Fund. This will allow the charity to support a greater number of people and precipitated the search for larger premises.
October 2023
Following the success of the 2022 event, Harmony delivered “And Breathe,” a series of community wellbeing events held over two days. This culminated in a final show played to a full audience at The Electric Palace on the 10th October, World Mental Health Day.
May 2024
Harmony moves to its new home in two of the restored units at the Tower Building on the St. Michael’s Estate in Bridport.