Mental health services
Best Choices is a recovery-focused service.
- Supporting you to access community, leisure, voluntary or employment opportunities
- Promoting well-being, self-esteem, confidence, choice and independence
- Working with you to explore, identify and achieve your personal goals
Our service is built around group and one-to-one support based on your individual needs and interests.
Groups
Develop your personal and practical skills and interests at our groups. These take place at venues in Bolton town centre.
Monday
- Art and craft, 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Tuesday
- Allotment, 10:00am to 12:00pm, from April to September
- Cookery, 10:00am to 12:00pm or 12:30pm to 2:30pm, from October to March
- Seated exercise, 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Wednesday
- Computers, phones and tablets, at a time agreed with you
- Gym inductions, 10:15am to 11:15am
- Walking, 1:30pm to 3:00pm
- Football, 1:00pm to 3:00pm, run in partnership with BAND
Thursday
- Employment workshop, at a time agreed with you
- Song and sign, 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Friday
- Gym, 11:00am to 1:00pm
Community activities
We can provide support to access opportunities in your community. This is based around your personal interests and goals but, if you aren’t sure where to start, we have knowledge of a range of organisations and projects, many of which provide an opportunity to build on the work you may have already done within our groups.
Paid and voluntary employment
We can work with you to:
- Identify employment, voluntary work and work experience opportunities that interest you
- Identify your employment-related training needs
- Complete job searches, CV's and application forms
- Practice interview techniques
- Support you in the workplace in the initial stages of a new role
- Support you in the workplace, including liaison with your employer, if your current employment is at risk of breaking down
- Provide advice about additional support you may be entitled via national programmes including 'Permitted work' (earn without affecting sickness-related benefit entitlement) and 'Access to work' (financial support to meet employment needs e.g. travel costs, specialist equipment).
How can I access Best Choices?
If you are over 16 and live in Bolton, you can ask your Mental Health Care Coordinator to refer you to our service by contacting us on 01204 337523, or email bestchoices@bolton.gov.uk.