Student mental health service the University Retreat officially opens

A community front room mental health centre specifically for students has opened on Bournemouth University’s (BU) Talbot Campus.

The University Retreat is a bespoke mental health space for students from BU, Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) and AECC University College to use whenever they need support.

It is a safe and welcoming space for any student struggling with mental health and potentially approaching crisis point.

The service will be operated by BCHA, alongside volunteers, and will provide peer support and mental health professionals to offer mixture of one-to-one and crisis support.

There will also be a range of activities in a shared space that can be used whenever students need a quiet place and the promotion of self-management of mental health.

NHS Dorset has provided funding for the service, in support of student mental health.

The University Retreat was officially opened at a launch event with the space on show to staff from all four organisations as well as NHS colleagues.

The facility will operate alongside the range of wellbeing services offered by universities in the region.

AUB students, pictured, helped design the mural on the University Retreat’s wall.

Elaine Hurll, Principal Programme Lead for Mental Health at NHS Dorset said: “It’s going to be brilliant to have a supportive and calming space that students aged 18-25 can come into in distress, and leave calmer and with more hope.”

Community front rooms are also in operation in Wareham, Weymouth, Bridport and Shaftesbury together with the main centres in Bournemouth and Dorchester.

They serve the wider community and offer an open environment for mental health support.

The University Retreat on BU’s Talbot Campus is housed in Tolpuddle Annex 2 and is open to any university student from 2pm-9pm Monday-Saturday.

The scheme will initially run until 2024.

• More information about The University Retreat can be found here.

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Candidates sought as Frettens launch all new graduate scheme

Frettens Solicitors has launched an all-new Graduate Scheme based on the SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Examination) route to qualification.

The Christchurch-based law firm says it will remove a lot of the historic barriers to qualifying as a solicitor.

Matthew Fretten, Managing Partner, pictured left, said: “Tuition and exams are fully funded, trainees are given ten additional paid study days per year, are given valuable and meaningful experience in a variety of different departments and are properly supported by their peers and colleagues.”

The three year course begins with one year in a Graduate Legal Assistant role.

Years two and three will involve working as a Trainee Solicitor, gaining experience in multiple seats across the firm, while studying and sitting the SQE 1 and 2 exams.

Karen Edwards, pictured right, who heads up Frettens’ trainee programme and oversees the recruitment process, said: “With the SQE becoming the preferred route to qualification, this presented a real opportunity for us to increase our investment in the next generation of lawyers.

“We made a concerted effort to introduce what we know to be a really competitive Graduate Scheme with the aim of enticing a cohort of enthusiastic students.

“Our growth targets for the coming years are ambitious.

“The Graduate Scheme, which will bring in and qualify trainees, is set to be at the heart of the firm’s progression going forwards.”

Frettens is looking for three Graduate Legal Assistants to start in September.

To apply, email your CV and covering letter to Catharine Snow, Operations Manager, at csnow@frettens.co.uk.

Applications close at the end of April.

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Antiques expert leaves enduring £1m legacy through fund

An antiques expert who formed one half of a formidable business duo has left an estate worth more than £1 million to Dorset Community Foundation.

Jose’ Hampton, who died aged 97 last September, was married to antiques dealer Gerry Hampton.

Their business, Hamptons Antiques in Purewell, Christchurch, was well known all over the South West for more than 50 years.

Mr Hampton died in 2011 aged 96.

Family friend Rosemarie Groves said Mrs Hampton loved Christchurch and the surrounding area.

She said: “It doesn’t surprise me that she wanted to do something to support it.

“They were never blessed with children but Jose’ had a strong sense of community and also hated seeing children suffer, supporting charities as often as she could.”

The family’s Hampton Fund will provide an enduring resource to help the community foundation fund grassroots voluntary groups and community groups.

Grant Robson, Director, said: “This wonderful legacy will ensure that Jose’ and Gerry and their love for each other and the place they called home will never be forgotten.

“The fund is there forever and it will go on providing money to make peoples’ lives better.

“What better memorial than that?”