Whole people, not single problems
We work with people facing some of the most difficult circumstances in our community: dependence on drugs or alcohol, poor mental health, isolation, financial hardship, and a loss of confidence and direction.
People rarely arrive with one need in isolation. Addiction, poor mental health and the loss of structure and self-worth are deeply connected, so they need to be addressed together. That belief shapes everything we do.
One cohesive service. A person can enter through any strand and move between them as needs change. Recovery addresses the substance · Counselling addresses the mind · Mentoring addresses the life.
“You don’t have to travel the journey alone.”
A waypoint is a point on a journey, it offers direction, support, guidance and reassurance.
Our service at a glance
Support shaped around the person
Counselling and mentoring are each available on their own. For people facing drug or alcohol dependence, our recovery pathway brings all three together, one joined-up journey from crisis to stability to growth.
Non-opiate drug & alcohol recovery
Structured, professional recovery support for people dependent on alcohol and non-opiate substances.
An integrated pathway that includes counselling and mentoring.
Mental health support through counselling
Professional, qualified counselling that addresses the emotional and psychological roots of distress.
Waypoint mentoring
One-to-one, relationship-based mentoring that walks alongside people as they rebuild everyday life.
How it fits together: Counselling addresses the mind and mentoring addresses the life, each available on its own. Recovery addresses the substance and brings all three together, because dependence is rarely just one problem.
Distance travelled
A typical journey through recovery
Crisis / entry
Substance use stabilised; immediate risks reduced; the person feels safe to begin.
Stabilising
Underlying trauma and distress begin to heal; healthier coping strategies develop.
Rebuilding
Confidence, routine, belonging and purpose are rebuilt; independence grows.
Sustaining
Progress is maintained; supported for as long as needed, not discharged at a fixed point.
However you reach us, you won’t walk it alone.
Whether you’re looking for support for yourself, someone you care about, or a person you work with, we’re here to help.
Get support or refer someoneOur support service
Support that fits the person
Counselling and Waypoint mentoring are each available on their own. For people facing drug or alcohol dependence, our recovery pathway brings all three together, the best possible chance of a recovery that lasts.
Recovery
For drug or alcohol dependence: an integrated pathway that includes counselling and Waypoint mentoring.
Counselling
Available as a standalone service for anyone who would benefit, as well as within recovery.
Mentoring
Waypoint mentoring is available as a standalone service, as well as within recovery.
Non-opiate drug & alcohol recovery
An integrated pathway, includes counselling and Waypoint mentoring.
This is where many people first reach us, often at the point of greatest crisis. Our recovery offer provides structured, professional support for people dependent on alcohol and non-opiate substances who want to change. Recovery brings all three strands together: counselling to heal what’s underneath, and Waypoint mentoring to rebuild everyday life.
Why it matters
Recovery is the foundation that makes counselling and mentoring possible, it stabilises the immediate situation and creates the breathing space people need to begin deeper work. But recovery alone rarely solves the problem, because dependence is usually a symptom of something underneath.
What this looks like
- An honest, non-judgemental assessment of where the person is and what they want to change.
- A clear, structured recovery plan tailored to the individual, not a fixed programme.
- Practical support to reduce and manage substance use safely, with signposting to specialist services where needed.
- A focus on relapse prevention and the everyday stability that makes staying well possible.
What this looks like
- Confidential one-to-one counselling delivered by appropriately qualified practitioners.
- A safe, consistent therapeutic space to understand and process what has happened.
- Support to develop healthier coping strategies, emotional regulation and resilience.
- Available on its own, or joined up with recovery and mentoring as part of a person’s wider support.
Mental health support through quality counselling
Available as a standalone service.
Behind most addiction and crisis is unresolved pain: trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, or a long history of not being heard. Our counselling strand addresses these underlying causes rather than only the surface behaviour.
Why it matters
Quality counselling is what turns short-term stabilisation into lasting recovery. By healing the underlying drivers of distress, and helps people build a more hopeful, stable inner life.
Waypoint mentoring
Available as a standalone service.
Waypoint is our relationship-based mentoring service, delivered in partnership with the Forest of Dean Salvation Army. It is built around people, not problems, and it carries a person from getting well to building a life worth staying well for.
Why it matters
Mentoring meets the long-term needs that determine whether change lasts, and it is the part most likely to be missing from short-term, recovery-only provision.
Explore Waypoint mentoringWhat Waypoint provides
- One-to-one mentoring, a trusted person who walks alongside the individual at their own pace.
- Practical help with everyday things: post, bills, paperwork, forms and appointments.
- Goal setting and encouragement, building confidence step by step.
- Support to reconnect with community, explore volunteering, and prepare for training or employment.
- Signposting back into recovery or counselling whenever it is needed.
How the strands work together
One journey, measured by distance travelled
We measure success not by where someone starts, but by the distance they travel. A small step forward is still progress.
Crisis / entry
Substance use stabilised; immediate risks reduced.
Stabilising
Underlying trauma and distress begin to heal; coping develops.
Rebuilding
Confidence, routine, belonging and purpose are rebuilt.
Sustaining
Supported for as long as needed, nobody falls through the gap.
Because the strands sit within one organisation, people can move between recovery, counselling and mentoring as their needs change, and step back into any of them at any time.
Ready to take the first step?
Reach out for support, or refer someone you’re working with. We meet people where they are.
Get supportGuidance · Growth · Every step forward
Waypoint mentoring
A mentoring and wellbeing scheme built around people, not problems. We meet people where they are and walk alongside them at their own pace.
Refer or self-refer
Why Waypoint exists
Nobody should have to navigate this alone
Many people face barriers that leave them feeling isolated, overwhelmed, or unsure of their next steps. Waypoint exists to be a point of direction, support, guidance and reassurance when people need it most.
Barriers people face
- Mental wellbeing challenges
- Lack of confidence and social isolation
- Unemployment, re-skilling and re-learning
- Financial pressures and housing concerns
- Difficulty accessing support services
What is Waypoint?
What we provide
One-to-one mentoring
A trusted person who walks alongside you, at your pace, for as long as you need.
Wellbeing support
Practical and emotional support to improve everyday wellbeing and resilience.
Goal setting & encouragement
Achievable goals, celebrated progress, and confidence built step by step.
Practical assistance
Help with letters, bills, paperwork, forms, applications and appointments.
Signposting
Connection to specialist services, and back into recovery or counselling when needed.
Opportunities to grow
Reconnecting with community, exploring volunteering, preparing for training or work.
Our philosophy
Distance travelled, a small step forward is still progress.
Success is not measured by where someone starts. It is measured by:
- Personal growth and confidence gained
- A strong sense of self-worth and belonging
- Skills developed and obstacles overcome
The Waypoint journey
How support works
The individual remains at the centre of the journey throughout. There is no “one size fits all”.
Referral & first conversation
A referral is received and we have an initial conversation to understand individual needs.
Understanding & matching
A face-to-face discussion about how Waypoint can work for the individual, and matching with the right support.
Goals & mentoring
Setting achievable goals and beginning regular mentoring sessions.
Progress & independence
Celebrating progress and developing growing independence and confidence.
What makes Waypoint different
We walk with people, not ahead of them
- Relationships before results
- Acceptance before action
- Encouragement before improvement
- Strengths before weaknesses
- Progress before perfection
We believe every person has value, potential, and something meaningful to contribute.
Who can access Waypoint?
Waypoint is open to anyone who would benefit from mentoring and wellbeing support. Referrals may come from:
- Department for Work and Pensions / Job Centres
- Two Rivers Housing & other local housing associations
- Local agencies and community partners
- Friends and family
- Self-referrals
Outcomes we hope to see
Positive distance travelled
Get support
Reach out, or refer someone you’re working with
Whether it’s for you, someone you care about, or a person you support in your work, we meet people where they are, at their own pace.
Referral pathways
Multiple ways into support
Waypoint is open to anyone who would benefit from mentoring and wellbeing support.
GP / Primary care
Including social prescribing link workers based in GP practices.
Housing services
Two Rivers Housing & other associations, to help keep tenancies and prevent homelessness.
DWP / Job Centres
Work coaches supporting people whose health or confidence is blocking work.
Agencies & self-referral
Social services, community partners, friends, family, or refer yourself.
Contact us
Send us a message
Fill in the form and a member of the team will be in touch. If you’re referring on behalf of someone else, let us know in the message.
Email
admin@wyedeanwellbeing.co.uk
Area served
Forest of Dean & Wye Valley
“You don’t have to travel the journey alone.”
Waypoint exists to be that point for people when they need it most.
Learn how our service worksAbout Wye Dean Wellbeing
Tackling the challenges facing our community
Our Mission
At Wye Dean Wellbeing, our not-for-profit mission is to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing communities in the Forest of Dean, including addiction, mental health difficulties, frailty, loneliness, social isolation and poverty.
Partnership Working
We work in partnership with local stakeholders to strengthen support across the area. These include:
- Gloucestershire NHS Integrated Care Board
- West Forest Primary Care Network
- GP surgeries across the area
- Forest of Dean District Council
- Forest of Dean Salvation Army
- Forest of Dean District Dementia Alliance
- The Integrated Locality Partnership
Our Approach
Wye Dean Wellbeing provides a range of innovative mental health, wellbeing and accessibility services. These services are shaped through co-production, research and development, with a primary focus on the social determinants of health.