Local organisations are once again invited to apply for funding from the Hall and Woodhouse Community Chest.

The family-owned brewer launched the initiative in 2002 and has again pledged a total of £50,000 to worthy causes located across Dorset. The grant application process allows voluntary and charity groups to apply for up to £3,000 to support their needs.

Mark Woodhouse, family director of Hall & Woodhouse, said: “The Community Chest was founded to support and strengthen local communities. It is simply the right thing to do to maintain our offer of financial support for these local organisations that play such vital roles in our communities.”

The Blandford-based company has adapted its application process for 2022 to now operate in two stages to be able to consider organisations that have an urgent need for funding. The majority of grant applications will be considered in the autumn with funding received in January 2023, but some recipients will be fast-tracked to receive funds in September 2022 to accommodate any crucial needs.

A Community Chest grant can go towards improving a variety of different aspects of the local area, for example, by helping alleviate poverty and social isolation, as well as supporting well-being initiatives and specialist health related support groups. It also supports extra-curricular and sporting activities, the arts, environment and more.

Applicants have until Friday 1 July to submit their grant requests. The application form can be downloaded via www.hall-woodhouse.co.uk/community-chest and then emailed to communitychest@hall-woodhouse.co.uk for consideration.

All applications will be notified of the outcome of their application by the end of November 2022, with successful grant beneficiaries being invited to a celebratory awards evening in January 2023.