Grant News
Registered charities, constituted community and voluntary organisations, community interest companies, and social enterprises in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Food and Energy Support Fund area can apply for grants of up to £10,000 from the BCP Food and Energy Support Fund.
The grant scheme, administered by the Dorset Community Foundation, is intended to cover a wide range of support for vulnerable and low-income households in the most need. This can include families with children of all ages, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers, and disabled people. Grant-funded activities should meet immediate needs and help those struggling to afford energy and water bills, food, and other essentials.
Groups are encouraged to apply for funding to support residents with:
- Access to food, including providing free or low cost food, community meals, food vouchers, cooking equipment or food skills initiatives (e.g. cooking on a budget)
- Access to other household essentials relating to energy and water (e.g. clothing, hygiene products, household cleaning products)
- Energy support, such as energy efficiency items that will help to reduce energy bills, or fuel payments made direct to providers (we cannot support cash awards), or to help those who may be missing out due to winter fuel allowance changes
- Winter Warm spaces that are open at least once a week and provide a place to escape from the cold and connect with others
- Distribution of ‘warmth packs’ to support vulnerable households (e.g. warm clothing, blankets, energy efficiency measures such as draft excluders)
- Supplementing the above support with signposting and advice to maximise income
- Advice or support services addressing longer term needs and more sustainable impact, such as support with income maximisation, debt, benefit and employment services
- Other community initiatives that relate to helping with the cost of living challenge
The application closing date is 12pm on the 11th November 2024..
For more information and to apply, please visit the Dorset Community Foundation website (link below)