Lantern Trust

Registered Charity 1114979

Community
& Friendship
Mental Health
& Wellbeing

The Lantern is an independent registered charity that was founded in 1983 to help vulnerable and marginalized people in the Weymouth & Portland area.
The Lantern aims to bring a lasting change in people's lives through a dedicated service meeting people's practical, emotional and personal aftercare needs.
Our ethos is one of social inclusion and we aim to break cycles of disadvantage and dependency.
Central to all that we do is our Coffee Bar sessions that run Monday to Friday 10am-2pm.
These sessions are open drop in's and act as a hub to the rest of our services.
We provide hot meals each day and feed on average over 80 people per week as well as providing a safe space for people to begin to rebuild their lives.

Average attendances during our coffee bar sessions range between 15-42. Working closely and professionally with other agencies is a key aspect to the Lanterns work which has been established over several years.
Our customers have a varied range of personal concerns including mental health problems, offending behavior, addiction, homelessness and all personal crises.

We aim to meet these needs through a wide range of services including advocacy, crisis response, front line practical assistance and welfare benefits, housing &accommodation support and help through the Lanterns assisted rent deposit scheme. Our ethos throughout our work is to empower the individual and at all times encourage personal choice and responsibility. The building of lasting, trusting relationships with our customers are the foundation on which all our work is built on, the Lantern continues to be a place where laughter, friendship and hope are very apparent.