Latest news

More support available to families, thanks to Dorset council’s new Family Hubs

Posted on No Comments on More support available to families, thanks to Dorset council’s new Family Hubs

New Family Hubs are already enhancing the lives of parents and carers, with more set to open across Dorset in the coming months.  Family Hubs are welcoming places that families with children and young people of all ages can visit when they need information, advice, or assistance. They also offer activities and social opportunities to… Read more More support available to families, thanks to Dorset council’s new Family Hubs

0 Shares
Share
Tweet
Someone pushing a trolley in a supermarket

Round 4 of the Household Support Fund reopens for applications

Posted on No Comments on Round 4 of the Household Support Fund reopens for applications

Round 4 of the Household Support Fund (HSF) will reopen for applications at 10am on Tuesday 5 December 2023 for low-income households in the Dorset Council area. The government scheme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, provides support in the form of supermarket vouchers. Citizens Advice will be allocating this fund on behalf… Read more Round 4 of the Household Support Fund reopens for applications

0 Shares
Share
Tweet
Bibby Stockholm barge

Bibby Stockholm update from the Multi Agency Forum

Posted on No Comments on Bibby Stockholm update from the Multi Agency Forum

This is a joint update from the subgroups that feed into the Multi Agency Forum (MAF), which supports operational planning of the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland. The MAF consists of representatives from the Home Office, Dorset Council, Portland Town Council, Weymouth Town Council, Dorset Police, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, NHS Dorset… Read more Bibby Stockholm update from the Multi Agency Forum

0 Shares
Share
Tweet
People gather around information stand on beach under blue gazebo, with the sea in the background. The sky is cloudy but bright.

Local marine partnership receives funding to deliver innovative conservation projects in Studland Bay, Dorset

Posted on No Comments on Local marine partnership receives funding to deliver innovative conservation projects in Studland Bay, Dorset

The Studland Bay Marine Partnership has been awarded £186,000 from the Marine Management Organisation’s Fisheries and Seafood Scheme to support the conservation of Studland Bay’s precious marine ecosystems.

0 Shares
Share
Tweet

Heavy rain fails to stop visitors and supporters celebrating success at new family leisure attraction

Posted on No Comments on Heavy rain fails to stop visitors and supporters celebrating success at new family leisure attraction

Local schoolchildren, Dorset councillors, Dorset Council officers and Park Rangers recently braved the pouring rain to celebrate the completion of the Adventure Valley attraction based at Moors Valley Country Park and Forest in Ashley Heath, Dorset.

0 Shares
Share
Tweet
Bridgit Care image

Carers flock to one stop shop online platform Bridgit Care

Posted on No Comments on Carers flock to one stop shop online platform Bridgit Care

Online carers advice, guidance and information self-help platform Bridgit Care has helped more than 3,000 carers across Dorset since it was launched in May. The accessible one-stop shop platform, which connects carers to key services to support and inform them about local community events, has proved popular for people looking for information about carers’ allowances,… Read more Carers flock to one stop shop online platform Bridgit Care

0 Shares
Share
Tweet
A rainbow in stormy skies. near Sixpenny Handley in the Cranborne Chase National Landscape (previously AONB).

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Renamed National Landscapes

Posted on 5 Comments on Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Renamed National Landscapes

New name and brand underpin ambitious nature targets Today, [Wednesday 22 November] all designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England and Wales are becoming National Landscapes, which in Dorset includes both the Dorset National Landscape and the Cranborne Chase National Landscape. The new name reflects their national importance; the they make to protect… Read more Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Renamed National Landscapes

0 Shares
Share
Tweet
Young people Enjoying an active winter in Dorset

Free activities for children and young people this Christmas

Posted on No Comments on Free activities for children and young people this Christmas

Children and young people are gearing up for a happy and healthy Christmas, courtesy of a range of free activities, holiday clubs, and fun days offered through the Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF). The HAF programme allows anyone that is already in receipt of benefit related free school meals to sign up for a… Read more Free activities for children and young people this Christmas

0 Shares
Share
Tweet
five teens are smiling at the camera. The sea can be seen in the background

‘Being Care Experienced’ becomes a protected characteristic in Dorset

Posted on No Comments on ‘Being Care Experienced’ becomes a protected characteristic in Dorset

Young people in Dorset leaving care will face less of a disadvantage, following approval by Dorset Council to make being care experienced a protected characteristic. A report at Dorset Council’s Cabinet meeting heard that the council, its elected members and employees are all corporate parents to Dorset’s children in care and care leavers. Councillor Byron… Read more ‘Being Care Experienced’ becomes a protected characteristic in Dorset

0 Shares
Share
Tweet
blue and black electric vehicle chargepoint in car park

New electric vehicle charge point goes live in Wareham

Posted on 2 Comments on New electric vehicle charge point goes live in Wareham

Dorset Council and Wareham Town Council are pleased to share that a new, rapid, electric vehicle charge point installed in Howards Lane Car Park, Wareham, is now live. The new charge point is contactless, so users can plug in and charge simply by tapping their payment card.  It has been installed as part of Dorset… Read more New electric vehicle charge point goes live in Wareham

0 Shares
Share
Tweet
women hiring beryl bike from bike bay

New bike share scheme comes to mid Dorset

Posted on 1 Comment on New bike share scheme comes to mid Dorset

A new bike share scheme has launched in Corfe Mullen and Upton in Dorset, enabling residents and visitors to enjoy more of the local area and beyond. Eighty bikes are now available to be picked up from the Beryl bays in the towns, offering a choice of pedal cycles and e-bikes. The recognisable bays, marked… Read more New bike share scheme comes to mid Dorset

0 Shares
Share
Tweet
6 people standing looking at the camera

Practitioners given insight into more hopeful safeguarding for children

Posted on No Comments on Practitioners given insight into more hopeful safeguarding for children

A message of hope for children and young people was the key theme delivered at a recent conference to professionals from Dorset Police, Dorset Council, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council, Dorset Health, NHS Dorset and other organisations who work with children in Dorset. Presentations centred around how young people in Dorset can be better protected… Read more Practitioners given insight into more hopeful safeguarding for children

0 Shares
Share
Tweet
Four people stood on stage receiving an award

Weymouth Station Gateway wins double at top engineering awards

Posted on 4 Comments on Weymouth Station Gateway wins double at top engineering awards

A transformational project designed to create a more welcoming and user-friendly space for residents, businesses, and visitors at Weymouth train station has won two trophies at the ICE South West Civil Engineering Awards 2023. The £1.2m project led by Dorset Coast Forum in partnership with Dorset Council, using funding from South Western Railway, was designed… Read more Weymouth Station Gateway wins double at top engineering awards

0 Shares
Share
Tweet
variety of UK money notes and coins

New round of community grants open

Posted on No Comments on New round of community grants open

The latest round of Community and Culture Project grants is now open for applications. The grants, which are managed by Dorset Council, welcome applications for projects and events for community, arts, accredited museums, heritage, sport, youth, play and physical activity. Already this year the council’s Community and Culture Project Fund Rounds 4 and 5 provided grants… Read more New round of community grants open

0 Shares
Share
Tweet
Childs section of a Dorset library

Dorset Council works with library workforce as it enters latest phase to implement new strategy

Posted on No Comments on Dorset Council works with library workforce as it enters latest phase to implement new strategy

Dorset Council has begun the latest phase of its Library Strategy implementation, working with Library colleagues to invest in the development of the workforce and volunteers to deliver services that meet the needs of Dorset’s communities in the future. 

0 Shares
Share
Tweet
solar panels on school roof

Major retrofit of buildings helps keep council on track to become carbon neutral

Posted on 3 Comments on Major retrofit of buildings helps keep council on track to become carbon neutral

Dorset Council’s efforts to fit energy saving measures in its buildings are helping keep it on track to become a carbon neutral council by 2040, says new report. According to a council report published this week, carbon emissions from council owned buildings have reduced by over 20 per cent in just one year thanks to… Read more Major retrofit of buildings helps keep council on track to become carbon neutral

0 Shares
Share
Tweet

The Blandford School and MYTIME, pioneering a new approach to supporting young carers   

Posted on No Comments on The Blandford School and MYTIME, pioneering a new approach to supporting young carers   

Young carers in Blandford Forum are being provided a nurturing educational space, thanks to a new initiative by The Blandford School in collaboration with MYTIME Young Carers.  The school has established a partnership with the charitable organisation MYTIME Young Carers, dedicated to championing the rights of young carers, ensuring they receive the necessary support, opportunities,… Read more The Blandford School and MYTIME, pioneering a new approach to supporting young carers   

0 Shares
Share
Tweet
Poppies

Dorset Council Remembrance Service on Armistice Day

Posted on No Comments on Dorset Council Remembrance Service on Armistice Day

Dorset will be remembering the tragic loss of life following two World Wars and other conflicts in more recent years at its annual Remembrance Service on Armistice Day. The Service will take place at 10.40am on Saturday 11th November at the Memorial Area at County Hall in Dorchester. The Service will be led by Revd… Read more Dorset Council Remembrance Service on Armistice Day

0 Shares
Share
Tweet