Not for Profit

Published: July 17, 2024 | Updated: 17th July 2024
Dorset Community Foundation has awarded £200,000 in grants to grassroots groups and charities, thanks to a partnership with BCP Council. This initiative aims to support families facing the cost of living crisis.
The BCP Food and Energy Support Fund, which uses money allocated by the government’s Household Support Fund, has distributed its sixth round of funding.
The grants will help 32 projects offering long-term support, including income maximisation, employment assistance, and food provision.
Grounded Community in Bournemouth received £8,400 to transform its food box scheme into a community pantry.
The charity, founded in 2015, aims to provide more food choices and teach meal planning and budgeting skills.
Volunteer and funding co-ordinator Sharon Brinkman said: “We wish to respond to this need by moving to an ‘add value’ model, including a new pantry and food display area.
“Moving to a food hub/pantry will allow us to redress the power balance by bringing people together, promoting community cohesion and building resilience.”
It’s All About Culture in Boscombe will use a £6,500 grant to provide free weekly multicultural lunches at the We Are Humans café.
Trustee Charmaine Beckles noted that the funding will ensure no one goes hungry: “We often see one person buy a meal to share with two or three others because they can’t afford a meal each, or just purchase a drink so they can stay and enjoy the company.”
Faithworks Wessex in Bournemouth is utilising an £8,149 grant to offer debt advice sessions for people using foodbanks in Poole, Christchurch, Bournemouth, Boscombe, and Winton.
Programme manager Nick Bold said: “The majority of debt is now related to council tax arrears, rent arrears and utility cost arrears which are on the increase due to the effects of the significant increases to the cost of living.”
Home-Start Wessex received a £4,000 grant to support homeless families with children in Poole and Bournemouth.
Grants partnership manager Sally Smith highlighted the urgency: “They need our urgent assistance with accessing grants and benefits, housing, food and other essentials, managing debt and skills to shop and cook on a budget and manage their finances.”
Cllr Millie Earl, BCP Council’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for connected communities, congratulated the 32 voluntary organisations: “These wonderful projects will make a positive difference to the lives of our residents and families most in need. I would like to thank Dorset Community Foundation for administering the fund.”
Dorset Community Foundation Chief Executive Grant Robson expressed pride in the collaboration: “Together with the support of BCP Council we have already helped dozens of groups get families and individuals through some very tough times.
“Every project funded is making a real difference on their doorstep and thanks to this funding a great many people will eat better, feel more hopeful and be made to feel they are part of their community.”
For more information on Dorset Community Foundation’s work, visit dorsetcommunityfoundation.org.