The eight round of the Dorset County Council Fund managed by the Dorset Community Foundation has distributed over £227,000 worth of grant funding to 32 local projects. Groups were invited to apply for up to £10,000 worth of funding for projects that fit under one or more of the following categories: community transport, positive activities for young people, peer family / parent support networks, supporting positive emotional wellbeing of children and young people, self-sustaining/supportive communities and improving environmental performance.
Christchurch Activities of Young People is one of the successful applicants having received a grant of £5,000 for activity events for 30 disadvantaged young people and their families. Another successful applicant – Cowden Care Farm received a grant for heating and hot water installation. Anna Hall of Cowden Care Farm elaborated: ‘I would like to thank Dorset County Council and the Dorset Community Foundation for the recent support they have given us to complete the final stage of our new build which consists of café/shop/community area/kitchen and disabled toilets. Having hot water and heating will enable us to use this building throughout the year regardless of the weather. This in turn will benefit so many people – project beneficiaries, visitors, the general public, volunteers, staff and community groups that will use the premise throughout the year.’
People First Dorset were awarded a grant for staff and volunteer costs for their Friendship club, which provides social activities for people with learning difficulties. The funded project fits under supporting self-sustaining/supportive communities priority of the fund.
Dorset County Council Fund was originally set up by Dorset County Council in 2011 to build the capacity of the voluntary and community sector and parish and town councils in order to deliver stronger services and support for local communities. Since then the Dorset Community Foundation has distributed over £1.2 million to local community projects on the behalf of Dorset County Council.
