Community projects supporting cost-of-living challenges, celebrating heritage and supporting mental health are being reminded that they can now apply for council grants.

Dorset Council has opened round four of its Community and Culture Project Fund.

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

The funds will support a range of heritage projects as well as focusing 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
  • mental health well-being projects

Cllr 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 £90K 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 also want to hear from groups who have a focus on supporting people through the cost-of-living challenge, but also welcome applications from other groups too.”