The Neighbourhood Fund will support charities and community groups helping to keep older people active and independent with grants available for up to £5,000. The Surviving Winter Fund will support organisations helping older people specifically during the winter months.  The latter is linked to the Surviving Winter Appeal the Foundation will be relaunching in mid-November, inviting people to donate their winter fuel payments to the Foundation, to help raise money to support older people in Dorset this winter.

Tracy Melling, Chief Executive at the Foundation commented: ‘Dorset has a higher than average proportion of people over retirement age who ultimately require additional health and welfare support Last year there were over 336 winter related deaths in Dorset – 336 too many! We hope this funding will help make a difference’.

Deadlines for applications to both funds is noon on the 18th November and groups can only apply to one of the funds. To find out more click here.