CHARITIES and community groups helping people cope with the cost of living over winter can apply for grants of up to £6,500 from Dorset Community Foundation’s BCP Food and Energy Support Fund.

The fund, which is backed by BCP Council and uses money from the government’s Household Support Fund, is open for applications until October 13. Grants must be used for activities running between November and March for BCP residents.

The grants are aimed at a wide range of cost of living initiatives, from access to food through free or low-cost meals, vouchers, cooking equipment and skills training, to help with other essentials such as clothing, hygiene and cleaning products.

They will also fund energy support, including providing energy efficient items such as electric blankets, paying fuel providers directly or providing warm spaces. “We also fund advice and signposting to help people maximise income, tackle debt and access benefits or employment support, as well as longer-term services that prevent poverty, build resilience and strengthen communities,” said Grants Manager Ellie Maguire.

This is the ninth round of funding, the previous round awarded almost £280,000 to 38 voluntary groups and charities in the BCP area. Among the recipients was social supermarket and café Poole Waste Not Want Not, which used a £10,000 grant to buy stock and recipe bags for social supermarket, run cookery activities and distribute energy saving equipment.

“The funding helped us offer energy-saving equipment such as multi-cookers, soup kettles, heated throws, and thermal clothing to vulnerable families—helping them reduce energy usage, stay warm, and still enjoy hot, nutritious meals,” said CEO Erika Sloper. “We’ll also supply warm coats and snuggle fleeces to children and the elderly throughout winter.”

The funding helped us offer energy-saving equipment such as multi-cookers, soup kettles, heated throws, and thermal clothing to vulnerable families

PramaLife in Dorchester was awarded £8,500 to run two lunch clubs a month for older people in Boscombe and Hamworthy.

Manager Sue Warr said: “This approach provides the opportunity to distribute information, signposting and support, provide interventions to escalate issues to the appropriate authorities if people are struggling, assists people to access benefits and financial support they may be entitled to and provide a warm and welcoming environment that helps create new friendships and reduces loneliness and isolation.”

AIMCommunity in East Howe, Bournemouth, used a £5,000 grant to run a drop-in for young people and their families to access food, learn budgeting and other skills, take part in creative activities and get wellbeing support.

Staff member Matt Evans said: “Our expected outcome for the young people is greater ability to engage in their education and mentoring sessions, deeper focus and concentration as well as a greater appreciation and understanding of food hygiene and healthy eating.”

Cllr Sandra Moore, Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships at BCP Council, said: “BCP Council is delighted to be able to allocate part of the government’s Department of Work and Pensions Household Support Fund to invest in the area’s community and voluntary sector.

“We are committed to ensuring residents impacted by the cost of living have access to food and energy support and supporting these worthy community initiatives is a key part of working towards this. Thank you to all those involved in delivering these community projects and for your dedication to helping those in need.”

Dorset Community Foundation Chief Executive Grant Robson said: “We’re very proud of the fact that BCP Council entrusts us with making sure this much-needed money from the government is used as effectively as possible.

“It’s because of our knowledge of the groups we fund and the need they are addressing that we can do that. We’re very thankful for the council’s support and for the difference this will make.”

Applications are open until midday on October 13, more details about eligibility and how to apply here.

Pictured: Poole Waste Not Want Not used a £10,000 grant from the BCP Food and Energy Support Fund in May to buy stock and run cookery activities

Pictured: PramaLife used an £8,500 grant to run lunch clubs in Boscombe and Hamworthy

Pictured: Bournemouth Foodbank used a £10,000 BCP Food and Energy Support Fund grant to provide food parcels for guests at its Gardens Café