Community and voluntary sector organisations in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are being invited to apply for grants from the BCP Food and Warmth Support Fund.

Administered by Dorset Community Foundation on behalf of the council, eligible organisations have until midday on Monday 28 November to make their applications, with the distribution of grants aiming to begin in mid December. If an organisation is successful in its application, all of the grant money which is allocated to them will need to be spent by 31 March 2023.

The grants can be used to fund a variety of support, including improving access to food and keeping warm, including warm welcome spaces. A full list can be found on Dorset Community Foundation’s website.

During the summer 2022 phase of the Household Support Fund, Dorset Community Foundation distributed £112,000 in funding from BCP Council to support 21,109 local residents through 18 grants.

Dorset Community Foundation director Grant Robson said: “We are very proud that BCP Council is again entrusting our knowledge and expertise to make sure this money gets to the people who most need it.

“We have some amazing grass roots groups working on the frontline in communities to help families and individuals through the worst of winter, and in the midst of a cost of living crisis, this help is never more needed. BCP Council’s funding through Dorset Community Foundation will mean many people will be warm and fed through the colder months.”

Cllr Jane Kelly, lead member for Communities, said: “Dorset Community Foundation has helped us to distribute funding to organisations who are helping to address the rising cost of living for our residents throughout the Household Support Fund scheme and we are grateful to them for their continued support of our cost of living campaign.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for eligible organisations to support their communities as we move into the winter period and beyond, and we encourage applications to be sent in as soon as possible to meet the deadline.”