Health and Welfare

The list of defibrillator locations in Verwood and the surrounding area below – identified by a member of The Cranborne Practice Patient Participation Group – includes postal addresses, What3words locators, and accessibility information for the equipment.

Defib Finder is another excellent resource for finding the defibrillator locations closest to you.

The Samaritans is a voluntary organisation giving support to people experiencing a personal crisis, especially those who feel suicidal.

Phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Freephone: 116 123
Or visit www.samaritans.org for a self-help app

Mobile Advice Bus

Citizens Advice in East Dorset and Purbeck has a new mobile advice bus. It stops at All Saints Church in Three Legged Cross on Monday mornings from 9am to 10am and The Hub in Verwood from 10am to 12pm on Tuesdays.

This bus provides residents with increased access to free advice and support. Please view the PDF leaflets below for further information.

The cost of living crisis has meant that many more people are in need of advice with some unable to access current services due to rural isolation, restricted mobility, cost of fuel or limited access to public transport. Our new mobile advice unit will help us reach those people who for one reason or another struggle to see us either at our current locations or by using our digital platforms.

The mobile advice bus will visit Colehill, Corfe Mullen, Verwood, West Moors, Corfe Castle, Bovington Hive & Wool. Keep an eye on the East Dorset and Purbeck Citizens Advice website for dates and locations – www.edpcitizensadvice.org.uk.

We are an independent charity and rely on funding and grants to operate. If you’re a local organisation who is interested in sponsoring the bus please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you! Email giving@edpcitizensadvice.org.uk.

Volunteers are welcome at any of the bus locations. If you’re interested in finding out more about volunteering with us email mandi.douglas@edpcitizensadvice.org.uk.

Drop-in Locations

Local residents can call into one of the drop-in sessions at the following locations. Advice is free and no appointment is necessary: 

• Swanage Library – Wednesday 10am-12pm (except first Wednesday of the month)
• Herston Village Hall, Swanage – Monday 10am-12pm
• Wareham Citizens Advice – Tuesday & Thursday, 10am-12pm
• Lytchett Matravers Library – Friday 10am-12pm
• Lytchett Minster & Upton Town Council – Tuesday 10am-12pm
• Upton Library – Wednesday 2pm-4pm
• Wimborne Citizens Advice – Monday & Wednesday, 10am-12pm
• Ferndown Library – Tuesday & Friday, 10am-2pm
• The Centre, Barns Road, Ferndown – Thursday, 10am-2pm

For more information about Citizens Advice services visit www.edpcitizensadvice.org.uk or to speak to an adviser, call the Dorset Adviceline Freephone on 0800 144 8848, 10am-4pm weekdays.

Community SWITCH is a local programme that connects residents with community-based organisations, groups, and activities that support health and wellbeing. Community SWITCH complements GP services by signposting non-medical support available across the local area, helping people access practical help, social connection, and wellbeing support.

For more information about Community SWITCH please visit communityswitch.org

Casualty Departments at:

Nearest medical loan centre: