SMALL community groups and charities can bid for a share of a £60,000 fund aimed at making life better for people.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, the Neighbourhood Fund is open for a second time this year for grant applications until July 2. It prioritises smaller groups across Dorset with less than £250,000 revenue, said Grants Manager Ellie Maguire.

“The fund supports grass roots community groups delivering services or activities that address a broad range of local social issues, problems, poverty and disadvantage,” she said.

“We want to support targeted services that support people with identified needs, effect positive change and bring tangible improvements to quality of life for people in Dorset.”

The previous round of the fund awarded more than £139,000 to 37 groups. Among the recipients was Gillingham Youth Club, which used a £5,000 grant from our Neighbourhood Fund to cover staff wages, hall hire and activity costs.

Senior Youth Leader Shelley Finch said the grant allows the club to hire trained youth workers, plan activities and organise community events for more than 80 ten to 16-year-olds. She said without the club, young people in what is a rural area would be at risk of boredom, isolation and even being drawn into crime.

“Many of the young people would have very limited positive activities or safe spaces available to them outside of school,” she said. “A number would likely spend increased amounts of time isolated at home, heavily engaged in social media and gaming, which can often negatively impact mental health, confidence, sleep, and social interaction.

Many of the young people would have very limited positive activities or safe spaces available to them outside of school

“We also believe there would be a greater risk of young people becoming involved in anti-social behaviour, negative peer groups, and criminal exploitation, including county lines activity.”

The Friendly Food Club used a £3,888 grant to run free cookery workshops in Swanage. CEO Liz Guilmant-Cush said: “Through this funding, we improve food confidence, cooking skills, and nutritional knowledge, helping individuals and families feel more capable, dignified, and in control of their food choices.”

The Townsend Youth Partnership was awarded £5,000 to continue its Open Minds programme, designed to support disadvantaged young people in one of the county’s most deprived areas by identifying and alleviating stress, anxiety and isolation.

Staff member Val Thomas said: “The project will empower young people to take ownership of their mental health, reduce inequalities and contribute to better access to timely support.”

Christchurch Community Partnership used a £5,000 grant to run Triple F (Fun, Food and Friendships), a weekly get-together for isolated older people in Christchurch. CEO Sandra Prudom said the weekly lunches at St Luke’s Church Hall helped attendees make new friends and feel part of the community. “Attendees will feel less isolated and, with seated exercise sessions, be more mobile and able to remain independent for longer,” she said.

Ellie said the fund has two particular areas of interest ­ – services that help older people lead more active, healthy and independent lives and projects that that support people experiencing mental health issues.

“We can consider funding any costs relating to the project or activity, including core costs, service delivery costs and reasonable capital costs, such as office equipment, sports equipment, tools and so on,” she said.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply here.

Pictured: A craft activity at Christchurch Community Partnership’s Triple F group

Pictured: A Friendly Food Club cookery session

Pictured: Young people at Gillingham Youth Club