Dorset Community Foundation is once again teaming up with Wessex Water to help fund projects which work to improve the lives of local people.

The Wessex Water Foundation Community Fund provides grants of up to £4,000 for charities and community groups, with applications open until midday on Monday 23rd October.

In the past few years, funding has gone towards various initiatives supporting people in financial difficulty, offering education in money management, raising awareness of utility affordability support, and much more.

One group who benefited last year were ASCape in Bridport, a charity for young people with autism and their families.

They received a £2,952 grant towards the running costs of their monthly youth club, where teens can enjoy arts and crafts, drama, board games and music production.

The money has also helped ASCape keep their drop-in support group for parents and carers going, which Volunteer Clare Cameron describes as ‘a space for them to gain peer support and restore their wellbeing’ through mindfulness sessions and activities.

Kirsty Scarlett, Head of Community Engagement at Wessex Water, said: “This fund will enable us to continue investing in strengthening communities and supporting people who need it most.

“Part of this will involve continued funding for local groups, supporting debt advice organisations and charities dealing with those affected by low income, mental and physical health issues, hunger, housing problems and unemployment.

“We hope to support a wide range of groups who make a real difference for people in their local area.”

The fund has channelled at least £500,000 a year to projects across the Wessex Water region since 2020, with 15 Dorset groups securing funds last year to the tune of £38,000.

Grant Robson, Chief Executive of Dorset Community Foundation, added: “Thanks to Wessex Water’s generous support, we’ve been able to help grassroots groups across the county deliver vital support to their communities for a fourth year.

“We know there’s some amazing work going on in our communities and we’re so pleased this fund is there to support it.”

• To find out more about eligibility and applications, visit dorsetcommunityfoundation.org