Charity, Ferndown | Posted on January 21st, 2025 | return to news
Water fund awards £70,000 to Dorset groups
Dorset Community Foundation’s Wessex Water Community Fund has given grants to 20 groups including those in Poole, Ferndown and Gillingham.
Groups in Poole and Ferndown are amongst 20 in the county receiving a share of £70,000 funding from Dorset Community Foundation’s Wessex Water Community Fund.
Since 2020, the Wessex Water Community Fund has provided grants of at least £500,000 a year to projects across the Wessex Water region.
Poole Waste Not Want Not’s social supermarket, which will use a £3,900 grant to buy stock for its shelves and pay for cooking demonstrations and for training its volunteers in money management, employability skills and basic food hygiene.
Director Erika Sloper said: “Our volunteers who have lived experience offer one-to-one budgeting advice, money management sessions and cooking demonstrations to teach cost-effective meal preparation and smart shopping habits. These initiatives aim to build resilience and reduce reliance on crisis handouts.
“This grant will help us expand these vital services, ensuring that those in need receive the support, skills, and guidance to improve their lives and achieve financial independence.”
High Mead Farm in Ferndown received £3,500 to expand and cover an outdoor wood workshop where volunteers, known as co-farmers, break down donated wood and old pallets into kindling that is sold in its shop to raise funds.
The co-farmers take part in the day-to-day running of the farm to help them with a range of issues, including learning difficulties, substance abuse, physical disabilities, dementia, anxiety and other mental health concerns.
Director Mark Gregory said: “Getting this grant is brilliant; for years we’ve wanted to build this extension and cover it over so we can work in all weathers. We are at capacity and have to turn away people who want to get involved but the new extension will double our floor space, enabling many more to benefit from this great activity.”
Gillingham Youth Club will be able to continue its three weekly sessions for more than 40 young people thanks to a £4,000 grant which will help cover building hire costs, staffing and materials for activities including cookery sessions and art projects.
Lead youth worker Shelley Finch said: “By maintaining our three weekly sessions, we will reduce social isolation, which is a significant issue in our rural area, and provide a crucial outlet for young people to engage with peers in a healthy, structured setting.”
Kirsty Scarlett, Wessex Water’s head of community engagement, said: “We are pleased to be able to work with Dorset Community Foundation and their local panel to fund projects that have so much impact for local communities who need it most.
“Through our Community Fund, we’re delighted to be able to continue to support the communities we serve and that reflect the fantastic diversity of our region.”
Dorset Community Foundation chief executive Grant Robson said: “We are very thankful to Wessex Water for continuing to support communities in Dorset through this fund.
“Once more we’ve seen grants going out to some fantastic groups who are doing amazing work that really is making peoples’ lives better.”
Find out more about the work of Dorset Community Foundation at dorsetcommunityfoundation.org.
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