Community projects supporting cost-of-living challenges, celebrating heritage and supporting mental health are encouraged to apply for council grants.

Dorset Council will open round four of the Community and Culture Project Fund for applications early next month.

Grants ranging from £1,000 to £5,000 will be made available to groups who support the council key priorities for the phase.

The funds will support a range of heritage projects as well as focussing on the following four priorities that help support vulnerable communities:

  • community warm spaces especially in rural areas
  • community food projects including lunch clubs and dinner clubs
  • foodbanks
  • low level Mental Health projects

Councillor Laura Beddow, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Culture, Communities and Customer Services said: “We’re encouraging community groups to apply for the next round of funding.

"Last time around, we distributed over £35,500 to local groups including theatre companies, groups that help people with learning disabilities, energy champions and efforts to improve recycling of waste.

"This time around, we will prioritise groups who have a focus on supporting people through the cost-of-living challenge, but also welcome applications from other groups too.”