A DORSET Community Foundation fund aimed at voluntary groups and charities who are helping asylum seekers and refugees to build new lives in the county is open again for grant applications.
The Dorset Welcome Fund is supported with contributions from Dorset Council, BCP Council and community foundation fundholders. It is offering grants of up to £5,000 for voluntary groups and charities across the county to support community action that helps refugees and asylum seekers of any nationality arriving, residing or settling in Dorset.
Grants manager Ellie Maguire said: “The kind of activities we’d like to fund should focus on supporting wellbeing, community cohesion and taking part in community activities – such as events to tackle isolation or celebrate cultural heritage for young people.
“We’d also like to support work that improves wellbeing and mental health or removes barriers to finding work or volunteering, such as English lessons, and services that provide advice and advocacy or practical items such as phones, bedding and clothes. But we’d also consider other uses as well.”
The latest grant round of the fund earlier this year awarded more than £57,000 to ten groups across the county. Among the recipients was the As One Theatre Company in Weymouth, which is using a £4,950 grant to help set up a Dorset Ukrainian Art Therapy group.
Artistic director Jane McKell said the group provides a safe space to aid psychological healing from complex PTSD and gives adults, who are often single parents, the strength to support their children.
There are plans for the group to tour the county, performing at events. “During performances we will share the storytelling in an all-inclusive way with dance, song and words in a mix of Ukrainian, English and some sign language building links and understanding with Dorset,” said Mrs McKell.
It is more important than ever to fund work that shows the real community spirit and compassion that lies within Dorset
Citizens Advice Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, used a £5,000 grant to continue running an advice clinic at Bournemouth Library for refugees and asylum seekers to drop in and seek help with navigating the immigration system. “The project has been operating for more than two years and it has enabled over 400 direct beneficiaries to understand their immigration status and begin to think about their next steps,” said head of operations and service delivery Tom Lund.
Community Alliances in Poole is using a £4,500 grant to run advocacy and advice sessions and monthly community meals both for young people and adults, with the food cooked by families of all nationalities.
“Our activities will address isolation and support people to connect with other refugees and asylum seekers and the wider community to share their voice and help build their local support network,” said Director Michael Hancock.
Dorset Community Foundation chief executive Grant Robson said: “We are very thankful for the support from both councils and our fundholders for their support for the fund. In the light of the recent riots and animosity towards people who have fled here from unimaginable terror and hardship, it is more important than ever to fund work that shows the real community spirit and compassion that lies within Dorset and the UK.
“The backing we’ve had is brilliant but if anyone else wants to support our fund for future grant rounds we’d be delighted to speak to them because there is so much amazing work going on that needs our help.”
The fund, which was set up in 2022, is open for applications until midday on October 11. Find out more about it and how to apply here.
