## **CHAIR'S REPORT** ## **2021/22 Report for The Burrough Harmony Centre** ## **An overview** As national Covid restrictions lifted in early Spring, we were once again able to open our doors at the Harmony Centre to offer mental health services. This was a relief to our members, even though throughout lockdown, we kept Harmony services available through virtual forms of communications including telephone, video-conferencing and social media, reaching new people as a successful provider of: - crisis mental health support for the local Bridport communities, - continuing support to our members mainly via telephone contact (and outside activities when lockdown restrictions allowed), - the Community Front Room (CFR) for Bridport and the surrounding area, via non-face to face contacts, mainly via the telephone but also through NHS Attend Anywhere. Harmony’s financial position remains secure, thanks to the continuing financial support of the Graham Burrough Trust via Dorset Community Foundation and Alice Ellen Cooper Dean for Harmony Drop-In services. The Community Front Rooms (CFR) continue to be commissioned by the NHS under contract with Bournemouth Church Housing Association (BCHA) for West Dorset. Earlier this year we heard that these services will be extended for another year to Spring 2023. ## **Developing new services** About one in eight people in West Dorset care for a close family members or friend who cannot always manage without their support. They might look after someone with a physical disability, long term health condition, mental health issue or a problem with substance misuse. This work can have a significant impact on a carers' own mental health. In a recent national survey of over 5,000 carers, 71% of carers reported that they have poor physical or mental health, with 55% suffering from depression because of their caring role. So this year, we started a Carer's Support Group to help carers. The group has grown and flourished; it is a valuable addition to the services that Harmony offers. Similarly, Harmony have started a group to support people who have been bereaved. The loneliness of bereavement can lead a loved one to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. As well as Harmony's own practical knowledge of mental health and wellbeing, the group benefits from support from Ammonite Health Partnership, A G Down, Funeral Directors and Weldmar Hospice. Harmony works with other charities to support young people. For example, we have collaborated with ASCape, a small local grassroots support group for autistic and socially anxious young people aged 18 – 25 years old and their families. We are planning a New Mums' Group next year and will continue to look at how we can coordinate better with other organisations providing services for local people suffering poor mental health. Covid lockdown accelerated our investment in, and use of, technology, and we refreshed our Facebook page and website (https://www.harmonydropin.org.uk/) to make our services available to more people. ## **Our Supporters** I am grateful to everyone who has supported us over the year, large and small, including our staff and volunteers. Our work could not be done without the financial support of; - The Alice Ellen Cooper Dean Foundation - Dorset Community Foundation - Dorset Council - Bridport Town Council ## **My thanks** Finally, I would like to thank all our members, staff, volunteers and trustees for their hard work and support throughout the year. Their coordinated response to the challenges posed by Covid-19 continues to be was exceptional. Jane Brennan Chairperson CHARITY COMM15510N FOR ENGLAND AND WALES 1171JOefj Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the perlod To 01104QD21 31103r2022 Section A Receipts and payments Unrn4tr1cted funwts in accordanc* with the requirements ofth¢ Chaiities Ad 2011 Cthe A¢X'I. I report in respecl ol my examination of Ihe charity's acAwnts carried c￿rt under s8c*on 145 01 the Ad aTrJ in carryin9 0th my examinat#￿ I have folbwed all Ihe a￿ltAble Direc*'ons gNen ty thtr Charity Commission und Bedion 14515llb) of the Ad. Indew)d•ntex•mlnerf• •tatem•nt I have complgled my examinaiKffl. I cx)nffinn Ihat no material rn8t￿ have to my attonlion in C￿ne￿. with the ex•minalicffl gmng m• cause to bel￿e that in any malwial respe( accrjunb.ng record5 were rKJl kept in resp&a of th& dwity as rnquwed ty Sèdi(￿ 19) of the Art" or the accounts do not accord wilh tlb)se records. I have no ¢oncerns and have come auoss no otlw matters in ts)nnec*￿ vAlh the eXaMi￿￿On to whth 8tt¢ntion should te drawn in this fwjrt in or(ler to enable a proper underst•)ding of tr* 3¢x0￿t$ to ￿ re•thed. Mr. M. J. Critjland B.A {HM$j F.CA ICAEW S¢ott Vevers Ud Chartered Awts in accordanc* with the requirements ofth¢ Chaiities Ad 2011 Cthe A¢X'I. I report in respecl ol my examination of Ihe charity's acAwnts carried c￿rt under s8c*on 145 01 the Ad aTrJ in carryin9 0th my examinat#￿ I have folbwed all Ihe a￿ltAble Direc*'ons gNen ty thtr Charity Commission und Bedion 14515llb) of the Ad. Indew)d•ntex•mlnerf• •tatem•nt I have complgled my examinaiKffl. I cx)nffinn Ihat no material rn8t￿ have to my attonlion in C￿ne￿. with the ex•minalicffl gmng m• cause to bel￿e that in any malwial respe( accrjunb.ng record5 were rKJl kept in resp&a of th& dwity as rnquwed ty Sèdi(￿ 19) of the Art" or the accounts do not accord wilh tlb)se records. I have no ¢oncerns and have come auoss no otlw matters in ts)nnec*￿ vAlh the eXaMi￿￿On to whth 8tt¢ntion should te drawn in this fwjrt in or(ler to enable a proper underst•)ding of tr* 3¢x0￿t$ to ￿ re•thed. Mr. M. J. Critjland B.A {HM$j F.CA ICAEW S¢ott Vevers Ud Chartered A