Charity, Dorset | Posted on September 11th, 2024 | return to news
£5,000 grants available for Dorset groups helping refugees
The Dorset Welcome Fund is offering grants to voluntary groups and charities who are helping asylum seekers and refugees in the county.
Voluntary groups and charities in Dorset who are helping asylum seekers and refugees build new lives in the county are encouraged to apply for grants of up to £5,000 from the Dorset Welcome Fund.
The fund is managed by Dorset Community Foundations and supported with contributions from Dorset Council, BCP Council and community foundation fundholders.
It is offering the grants to support community action that helps refugees and asylum seekers of any nationality arriving, residing or settling in Dorset.
Earlier this year, the fund awarded grants worth more than £57,000 to 10 groups across the county.
Among the recipients was the As One Theatre Company in Weymouth, which is using a £4,950 grant to help set up a Dorset Ukrainian Art Therapy group.
Artistic director Jane McKell said the group provides a safe space to aid healing from complex PTSD and helps adults, who are often single parents, support their children. There are even plans for the group to tour the county and perform. Jane said: “During performances we will share the storytelling in an all-inclusive way with dance, song, and words in a mix of Ukrainian, English, and some sign language building links and understanding with Dorset,”
Other grant recipients include Citizens Advice Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, which received a £5,000 grant to continue running an advice clinic at Bournemouth Library for refugees and asylum seekers to help them navigate the immigration system. And Community Alliances in Poole, working in partnership with Unity in Vision, used a £4,500 grant to run advocacy and advice sessions and monthly community meals for young people and adults, with the food cooked by families of all nationalities.
Grants manager Ellie Maguire said: “The kind of activities we’d like to fund should focus on supporting wellbeing, community cohesion and taking part in community activities – such as events to tackle isolation or celebrate cultural heritage for young people.
“We’d also like to support work that improves wellbeing and mental health or removes barriers to finding work or volunteering, such as English lessons, and services that provide advice and advocacy or practical items such as phones, bedding and clothes. But we’d also consider other uses as well.”
The fund, which was set up in 2022, is open for applications until midday on October 11. Find out more about it and how to apply at dorsetcommunityfoundation.org.
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