Dorset Mind became part of Solent Mind on 1 November, forming one charity for Dorset, Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton. Services carry on as usual.

Dorset Mind, the county’s local mental health charity, is now part of Solent Mind. The merger was completed on 1 November 2026, and the combined charity covers Dorset, Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton.

The charities say nothing changes for anyone using Dorset Mind’s support today: services carry on as usual, and local delivery and local relationships stay at the centre of the work.

Why the two charities have merged

Solent Mind says the merger follows a period of close collaboration between the two charities. It brings together “decades of experience, expertise and community connections”, and the charity says that as one organisation it will be better placed to respond to growing demand for mental health support, strengthen services and build greater long-term resilience.

Sally Arscott, Chief Executive of Solent Mind, said:

“Mental health challenges continue to affect more people than ever before, and charities like ours play a vital role in ensuring support is available when people need it most.

“By coming together, we are combining our strengths, knowledge and experience to create an even stronger organisation. This merger will help us increase our impact, reach more people and ensure local communities continue to have access to high-quality mental health support for years to come.

“Most importantly, it means we can do more for the people who rely on us.”

A handwritten sign reading #GetDorsetTalking held up in front of a laptop showing the Mind logo
A handwritten #GetDorsetTalking sign. Photo: via Dorset Mind

What it means for you

  • If you already use Dorset Mind: the charity says services continue as usual, delivered locally. Dorset Mind’s existing contact details are on dorsetmind.uk.
  • Support in Dorset: the combined charity says it will keep delivering support across Dorset while drawing on the expertise, infrastructure and resources of a larger organisation.
  • Who runs it now: Solent Mind, registered charity number 1081116, with its registered office at 15-16 The Avenue, Southampton. Its site is solentmind.org.uk.

Solent Mind describes itself as one of the South’s largest local mental health charities following the merger, supporting people across Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and Dorset through mental health, wellbeing and crisis services.

Events Dorset Mind had already announced are still listed on its site, including the Mental Elf Festive Fun Run at Poundbury on 13 December.