Community group benefits from £960k lottery grant (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Community group benefits from £960k lottery grant

10:30am Thursday 6th September 2012 in News

A COMMUNITY organisation in Dorset can help more of those facing poverty thanks to a huge lottery grant.

Dorset Community Action has received £960,000 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Communities Living Sustainably initiative to help it continue its work.

The Dorchester-based group will use the grant to support isolated older people, help vulnerable fishing and farming communities become more resilient to climate change and build sustainable local food supplies.

DCA chief executive Georgina Morgan said: “We are thrilled to be given the chance to make a real and positive change for communities through a number of brilliant new sustainability projects.”

Ideas include a draught busters programme with volunteers trained to advise people on making their homes more energy efficient.

An energy cooperative will also be established to develop enterprises, such as a wood fuel scheme using woodland supplies.

A food partnership will be set up to link farmers and fisherman across the area. Local schools will also be supported to increase their knowledge of sustainable living, and achieve eco-school status.

Volunteer Rita Burden, who organises Dorset’s Best Village competition for the DCA, said: “I think it’s marvellous for them. They work so hard. This grant will help them continue with all the good work that they have been doing for many years.

“I am sure they will go from strength to strength and we will see lots of news of positive things they have done as a result of this funding.”