Food and energy fund will provide winter warmth for people on low incomes

Pictured: Faithworks food bank

Dorset Community Foundation and BCP Council have awarded £80,000 in grants to 23 local groups tackling the cost-of-living crisis.

Funded by the Department for Work and Pensions’ Household Support Fund, these projects will run until March, providing warm hubs, free meals, cookery workshops, and money advice.

Among the initiatives:

• The Power House, Poole: £3,000 to run a Winter Warm Hub offering food, drinks, and creative activities.
• Faithworks: £3,975 for financial resilience courses to help people move from surviving to thriving.
• We Are Humans: £5,000 to serve free meals and deliver essentials to rough sleepers.
• Friendly Food Club: £4,000 for community cookery workshops teaching budgeting and nutritious recipes.

Cllr Sandra Moore, BCP Council cabinet member for Communities and Partnerships, said: “By funding these groups, we are helping to ease the cost-of-living pressures and ensure vital services reach those who need them most.

"The incredible efforts of volunteers and frontline workers make a real difference every day, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment to strengthening our community.”

Dorset Community Foundation Chief Executive Grant Robson said: “BCP Council’s support allows us to get vital funding to the places where it will make the most impact.

“There are so many grass roots charities and voluntary organisations whose work is keeping people warm and healthy – and passing on the skills to make people more resilient. Every grant will make a huge difference in our communities.”

Full list of groups funded: Aim Community, Ashley’s Birthday Bank, Bee Mission 500 CIC, Bournemouth Foodbank, Bournemouth Spear Trust, Citizens Advice Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, Citygate Church, Dorset Community Action, Faithworks Wessex, Friendly Food Club, GodFirst Church, Hope Community Church, Kinson and West Howe Foodbank, MS Centre Dorset, Poole Communities Trust, Poole Waste Not Want Not, Recreate Dorset, Refugee Support Europe – Bournemouth Dignity Centre, The Parks Foundation, The Power House (Poole), Townsend Community Association and We Are Humans CIO.

Further details here: Food and energy fund will provide winter warmth for people on low incomes - Dorset Community Foundation