Dorset Listening Project

A new Listening Project has been launched in Dorset for older people. The Dorset Listening Project is a not-for-profit organisation which provides emotional support through counselling for older people in the community. Dorset Listening Project is a counselling service for anyone aged 60 years and over, male or female, able bodied or with additonal needs, which aims to help with sadness, depression and any other emotional difficulties which may be helped by discussion. This project is in the process of forming partnerships with local organisations, agencies and GP surgeries.

The aim of the Dorset Listening Project is to foster a commitment to improve the service user's wellbeing, and offer one-to-one counselling in a confidential setting in rooms in the community. Alternatively if a service user is unable to go out due to any mobility impairment, the project administrator can arrange for a counsellor to come to your home. The counsellors are qualified and are members of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Dorset Listening Project work with self-referrals as well as referrals through other organisations, and offer sessions for one hour a time on a one weekly basis. They ask for a minimum donation of £5.00 per one hour session, and are aware is their service is one offered in direct response to the growing number of older persons that are either failing through the cracks in the emotional support offered by the GPs surgeries, or who are unable to afford talking therapies privately

Dorset Listening Project focuses primarily one working with people aged 60 years and over. However, it is intended by the Project that the service will benefit those users aged 50 years plus, particularly with impending retirement, caring for relatives or undertaking carer responsibilities, or possibly facing redundancy in the current economic climate.

If you yourself are an older person living in Dorset who would like further information, or are aware of anyone who may benefit from using this service, please contact Tina Damon of the Dorset Listening Project on 01305 859134 or 07969 141 837.