Projects included medication and food delivery, mental health support, online support with a priority of helping those most affected by the coronavirus pandemic such as elderly people, individuals leaving hospitals and expectant mothers.

Grant Robson, director at the Foundation explained, “In the last three weeks we have received well over 100 requests for funding for emergency support. Our grants team, with the help of five volunteer professional assessors, has been able to support 57 groups so far – from foodbanks to mental health support sessions for young carers. We are so pleased that we are able to fund these groups, as within days of the lockdown they were amongst the first organisations to adapt quickly and help local residents in need.”

One of the supported groups, Volunteer Centre Dorset received funding to recruit and co-ordinate volunteers across the Dorset Council area to deliver immediate crisis services. Marie Waterman, volunteer centre manager said, “This fund will help our team work with all the volunteer groups and volunteers to support all those that need to isolate during the COVID crisis; this could be delivering prescriptions, shopping, walking the dog or just a friendly call.”

Alongside the grantmaking, the Foundation is also running an Coronavirus Appeal, which has raised over £340,000 with donations coming in from the National Emergencies Trust as well as local and regional charitable trusts and generous individuals. For more details on the funding available and the Appeal please visit www.dorsetcommunityfoundation.org.