Testimonials

Caring Canines

Winner of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Services 2010

Grassroots Grants - £1,000

Caring Canines promote canine awareness and canine assisted therapy. The grant helped to support the Be Bookwise project which is designed to help children who have poor literacy levels, low self-esteem and a lack of confidence. Dedicated teams of Volunteers and their dogs attend schools each week in order to work on a one to one basis with children who have been chosen by the school, each child having their own difficulties.

The children who take part in Be Bookwise are selected for a number of reasons - some have little support at home with reading and some have behavioural issues. These children find reading difficult and rather than face the challenge will often give up hope. The one to one attention from the team coupled with the non-judgemental aspect of the dog gives them a sense of self-worth. Parents have reported their children now read of their own volition really enjoying doing so.

"As users of your service we have nothing but gratitude for your support and the efficient way in which you managed our applications"

Bridport TLC

Grassroots Grants - £5,000

Bridport TLC are a community owned recycling project in West Dorset. The volunteer led initiative benefits the wider community by providing activities and opportunities for people dealing with a range of health, wellbeing and social issues. .

The grant enabled the group to expand their activities at a difficult time by providing rent and running costs. It allowed them time to look at diversifying their income and to develop partnerships with other projects across the area. But most importantly through the grant they could continue to help over 30 volunteers to rehabilitate themselves as well as build confidence and self-esteem. They have set up a busy community scrapstore, expanded their training and back-to-work schemes as well as increasing their membership base.

"What a joy to receive your offer of funding! It is a great relief for our volunteer team to know what we can continue our work and it seems to have been a catalyst for a few other exciting things"

Listening Ear

Targeted Support Fund - £20,000

Listening Ear is a counselling and training service which has worked with children, young people and their families for over sixteen years. Listening Ear operates in areas of real disadvantage and most of the parents and carers that they work with are either unemployed or on benefits.

The grant enabled the organisation to expand their counselling services by providing three extra courses - Promoting Positive Parenting, Managing Parents and Children's Emotions (Life changes) and Self Esteem. The courses were six weeks in length and covered two hours a week.

For those who needed extra support and care there were Therapy Groups which were set up to give parents and carers attending the parenting courses an opportunity to explore in more detail particular issues and problems. The project has also meant that parents and carers who could not afford the costs of private referrals could also receive help and support.

"This course has been fantastic help for me and my husband, our approach to our children's difficult behaviour has completely changed and changed for the better."

Community Foundation Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole

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