Are you a small group, based in the BCP area, with an income of less that £20K per year, looking for funding to help run a community activity? Find out about the Ward Improvement Fund: 👉 bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ward-improveme…

One of the ways we stay informed about the voluntary sector in #Dorset is through regular visits to the groups we fund. We had a wonderful time with the good folk at Dorset Lavender Farm Project at Shillingstone to hear about their challenges while working with volunteers.

Our friends at Community Action Network have a wealth of training for the voluntary sector on offer this autumn – from developing a business plan to grant applications to leadership and wellbeing. Check them out here: 👇 can100.org/training-and-e…

We had a marvellous time with The Horse Course near #Weymouth, hearing how they use working with horses to help alleviate mental health issues with young people and adults. We're delighted to have funded their amazing work through our Community Wellbeing and Mental Health Fund.

Urgent Call for Donations at Bournemouth Foodbank! We need your support to keep our shelves stocked with these essential items^ Let's pull together to support our community! 🤝 #Bournemouth #BournemouthFoodbank #Community #Donations

As part of our mission to understand the challenges the groups we fund face, we went to see the good people at Home-Start Blackmore Vale to hear about the support they give to struggling parents. They recently had a grant from our Community Wellbeing & Mental Health Support Fund.

We had a good time at Shaftesbury and District Dementia Friendly Community's Melodies Remembered singing session, which is supported by our Neighbourhood Fund. Getting out to groups and seeing our grant-making in action – and the difference it makes – helps us to inform donors.

#Bridport 100m breastroke swimmer Harry Stewart, a recipient of our Lord Lieutenant's Fund for Young & Talented, says he is in confident mood as he takes part in the opening ceremony of the #ParisParalympics today. Read more here: 👇 dorsetcommunityfoundation.org/news/harry-ste…

We had a splendid day with The GAP Project in #Dorchester, which provides community garden space and allotments for groups to use. We saw the site the group is preparing for a sensory garden, funded with the help of our Neighbourhood Fund.

Our DCF Bursary could provide a grant of up to £1,000 for a young person studying a vocational course at college. Applications received by tomorrow will get a decision in October but applications are open until January 13. Details 👇 dorsetcommunityfoundation.org/funds/dcf-burs…

Congratulations to our Lord Lieutenant's Fund for Young and Talented grant recipient Harry Stewart, who has qualified for the final of the 100m breaststroke at the #Paralympics2024 in Paris. He'll race for a medal at 5.13 this evening UK time. It's on Channel 4 and YouTube.

Huge congratulations to Harry Stewart, our Lord-Lieutenant's Fund for Young and Talented recipient, on a fantastic swim at the #Paralympics2024Paris. No medal but he produced a brilliant swim in a highly competitive race to finish fifth in the SB14 100m breaststroke. 🏊‍♂️

Dorset Community Fnd Channel 4 Tom Flood Terry Standing Louise C Dorset Echo Sport Bournemouth Echo Vikki Slade MP 🔶💙 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 Dorset Sport Poole Swimming Club UK Community Foundations #HelpAndKindness What a fantastic interview he gave after. He said he wanted his mum to be proud of him. I bet she was. I was too. Lovely young man.

Our friends at Plants and Minds, at Cherry Tree Nursery, Northbourne, are running a networking meeting on September 16 from 10am to 12 for anyone supporting people with their mental health, directly or indirectly. More details and how to book here: 👇 tickettailor.com/events/plantsa…

Our Dorset Performing Arts Fund Impact Report is now available to read on our website. Thanks to our donors, the fund has helped drama, music and other arts projects to bring people together, celebrate culture and showcase talent. Read the report here: 👇 dorsetcommunityfoundation.org/wp-content/upl…

The kids are back at school! However, there are many young people in Dorset who really want to make the move into vocational training to give themselves a future, but the cost of attending said training is too much for them to afford. This is why we run the DCF Bursary Scheme 👇

Our thanks go to Angus Campbell CVO who yesterday retired as Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset after ten years in the post. He not only lent his name to our Fund for Young & Talented he has also been a tremendous supporter and we wish him well. dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/news/angus-cam…

Congratulations to our Lord-Lieutenant's Fund for Young & Talented grantee Leo Oldham of Poole who represented Bath Rugby's U18s at the Malvern Festival. Our grant helped pay for his new boots and travel costs.