Video shows how investment fund helps local communities

A new video launched today shows how local community groups across Dorset have received help from a £2.1m community investment fund given from the NHS England Southwest region.

The video has been produced by NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board (ICB) working with local partner organisations to show just some of the groups which have benefitted from the Dorset allocation of £300,000.

From a Fareshare project in Wool which helps distribute surplus food to local people through to Citizens Advice in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area that helped vulnerable people with winter payments towards everyday things like heating or food shopping, funding was awarded to groups to help deliver services to diverse communities across the county.

Jenni Douglas Todd, Chair of Dorset Integrated Care System (ICS) said “Voluntary organisations play a vital part in supporting people in need across the county and we were really pleased to be able to support so many good causes in Dorset.

“There are an estimated 7500 voluntary organisations, charities and community groups supporting millions of people across the country, for example those who might otherwise have any social interaction or be in need of basic provisions or shelter and I would personally like to recognise their efforts and say thank-you for the help they local communities.”

CAN (Community Action Network) allocated funds in the BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) area.

Emma Lee, Partnerships Manager said “We were delighted to be involved with the community investment fund, working with Citizens Advice BCP to provide 250 grants of £200 each in either supermarket or energy vouchers to local people in need, through referral by a local charity or community group to Citizens Advice.

“From a funding pot of £90,000, grants were awarded to small voluntary organisations, charities and community groups funding to enhance their core work and add value to existing activities that supported people were adversely affected by the impact of the rising cost of living.”

Barbara Evans talking about Fareshare in Wool said, “It is essential for local communities, there is an idyllic feel for villages in Dorset but there are lots of people within those villages that need support and help, and that’s one of the reasons that this is such an important project for Dorset.”