Grant-giving charity Talbot Village Trust has awarded £571,098 to 36 organisations across east Dorset, Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, and Purbeck.

The grants, ranging from £1,200 to £60,000, aim to enhance community wellbeing and drive positive social change throughout the region.

Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, chairman of Talbot Village Trust, said: “Our mission is to support organisations making significant improvements in our community, supporting individuals of all ages.

“We’re thrilled to continue backing a wide spectrum of causes, from educational and youth programmes to charitable and faith-based initiatives.

“We look forward to announcing the recipients of our second grant cycle later this year.”

Some of the awarded grants include:

• Age UK North, South & West Dorset: £4,600 for the Forget-Me-Not dementia support group in Purbeck.
• Citizens Advice East Dorset and Purbeck: £50,000 for the Move On project, working with households to reduce risk of homelessness over the next two years.
• Coda Music and Arts Trust: £20,000 to transform a barn into a new community space.
• Diverse Abilities: £10,000 for refurbishing The Treehouse in Hurn, with downstairs play space, outdoor play zones, an office and meeting rooms.
• Faithworks – Hope Into Action: £14,700 towards operational costs of a new housing model in BCP for those at risk of homelessness.
• Pedall, New Forest Inclusive Cycling: £2,250 to provide six inclusive cycling events at Slades Farm, Bournemouth.
• Poole Waste Not Want Not: £10,000 towards core costs to sustain services for one year, supporting low-income families.
• The Power House (Poole): £20,305 to refurbish and set up the Thrive Hub, a community space in Hamworthy.
• Wild and Free Therapy: £2,000 for an eight-week surf therapy programme for children and young people with disabilities.

Rachel Weiss, chief operating officer at Age UK North, South & West Dorset, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Talbot Village Trust for supporting our Forget-Me-Not provision in the Purbecks.

“We hope with this funding we can support even more people with dementia and their carers to access support, information and social activities.”

Phil Hallett, chief executive of Coda Music and Arts Trust, added: “We’re all so grateful for the support from Talbot Village Trust.

“This grant is helping Coda to transform an old, dilapidated barn on our site into a wonderful new asset for our local community.

“The new space will enable hundreds of children, young people and adults of all abilities to learn, play, enjoy and benefit from music in a beautiful, new rehearsal and workshop room.

“With the trust’s support, we’re providing a unique space for creative therapies, wellbeing and lifelong learning.”

The deadline for new applications for the Autumn 2024 round is 31 July 2024, with decisions to be made in November 2024.

Organisations interested in applying can find more information on the trust’s website or by emailing [email protected]

• talbotvillagetrust.org

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