Our Vision

A world where all young people are able to thrive.

Our Mission

To improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people facing disadvantage (13-25) in the North Dorset and South Somerset area one day at a time, providing them with the tools they need to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. 

Our background

We have been successfully working with disadvantaged young people in the Sherborne are for over 25 years and in Gillingham since 2017.  

Life is increasingly challenging for young people who need to be resilient, optimistic and have the skills and knowledge to make a smooth transition into adulthood. It is more difficult for those who lack family support or struggle at school. 

We were set up as an advice and information centre in Sherborne in 1997 when we were originally one of more than ten similar organisations across Dorset. We are now the only one in North Dorset – and the only centre across the county providing such a broad range of services to young people.   

I live at home but I was so anxious I rarely left the house. The Rendezvous staff talked to me and helped with practical things like benefits. They gave me challenges to boost my self-esteem, like helping an older person as a volunteer maths tutor, because I’ve studied A-level maths. I’m really proud of making a difference to someone else’s life. I feel more positive now and I’m thinking of going back to education. The Rendezvous have stayed in touch through the Covid crisis too.
– Liam, age 20

We continue to adapt to the needs of young people and have increased our knowledge and expertise in supporting mental health issues accordingly. We now work more closely than ever with our partners in schools and in health and social care.

We are known for building positive relationships with young people and despite having to migrate our face-to-face services to telephone support and move our learning online we continued to support young people throughout the coronavirus pandemic and came out as a stronger and more flexible organisation as a result.

Funding – We are a registered charity and are able to continue our work because of the generosity of local supporters and funding from trusts and foundations – less than 15% of our income comes from statutory sources. We welcome support of all kinds – financial and gifts of time. You can donate to us online or find out about other ways to support us here.

Our local links

These are just a few of the organisations we work with:

• Children and Adolescents Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
• Children’s Social Care
• Community Mental Health Team
• Dorset Mental Health Forum
• Dorset Youth Association
• Dorset District Council
• Friends of the Yeatman Hospital
• Future Roots (Rylands Farm)
• Gillingham School, Dorset
• Gillingham Town Council
• Gillingham Youth Club
• Gryphon School, Dorset
• Health Visitors, Sherborne and surrounding villages, Gillingham
• North Dorset Local Alliance Group
• Reach – Dorset’s young people’s and adult alcohol and substance misuse service
• GP surgeries – Social Prescribing and ARS team
• Tinneys – Sherborne Youth and Community Centre