Community Conversations are taking place across Dorset to better understand the needs, strengths and aspirations of local communities. Through open conversations, we're exploring local priorities, identifying opportunities and helping shape future plans alongside the people who know their areas best.

See Community Conversations in action

Watch the video to learn more about the programme and how local insights are helping to shape future priorities.

Find your cluster

Communities across Dorset have been grouped into 13 cluster areas. Information from each Community Conversation, including themes and discussion summaries, will be added to cluster pages shortly.

Cluster 1A

Chesil Bank, Chickerell and Portland.
Session 1: 7 November
Session 2: 1 December

Cluster 1B

Weymouth and surrounding area.
Session 1: 6 November
Session 2: 8 December

Cluster 2

Char Valley, Catherston Leweston, Upper Marshwood, Thorncombe, Broadwindsor, Mosterton, South Perrot, Chedington, Beaminster, Mapperton, Corscombe, Halstock and District, Netherbury, Loders, Askerswell, Powerstock and North Poorton, Hooke, Rampisham,Toller, Porcorum Wraxall, Frome Valley, The Comptons, Toller and Wynford Eagle, Frome Vauchurch and Maiden Newton 
Session 1: 7 October
Session 2: 3 November

Cluster 3

Farnham, Chettle, Tarrant Gunville, Tarrant Hinton, Tarrant Monkton and Tarrant Launceston, South Tarrant Valley, Langton Long Blandford, Pimperne, Stourpaine, Hanford, Child Okeford, Durweston, Bryanston, Blandford Forum, Blandford St Mary, Charlton, Marshall, Spetisbury, Winterborne Clenston, Winterborne Stickland, Winterborne Houghton, Turnworth, Sixpenny Handley, Pentridge and Vale of Allen
Session 1: 9 October
Session 2: 13 November

Cluster 4

Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Chideock, Symondsbury, Bridport, Burton Bradstock, Shipton Gorge, Chilcombe, Puncknowle and Swyre, Litton Cheney, Long Bredy and, Kingston Russel and Little Bredy  
Session 1: 15 September
Session 2: 30 October

Cluster 5

Winterbourne Abbas and Winterborne Steepleton, Winterborne St. Martin, Dorchester, Frampton, Bradford Peverell, Stratton, Charminster, Dewlish, Cheselbourne, Piddle Valley, Melcombe Horsey, Hilton, Cerne Valley, Sydling St. Nicholas, Minterne Magna and Buckland Newton  
Session 1: 5 November
Session 2: 24 November

Cluster 6

St. Leonards and St. Ives, Verwood, Cranborne and Edmondsham, Alderholt and Knowlton 
Session 1: 29 October
Session 2: 27 November

Cluster 7

Ferndown, West Moors and West Parley
Session 1: 19 August
Session 2: 22 September

Cluster 8

Shapwick, Sturminster Marshall, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, Colehill, Holt and Pamphill  
Session 1: 2 October
Session 2: 19 November

Cluster 9 

Winterborne Farringdon, Broadmayne, Knightsford, Crossways, Warmwell,Osmington, Poxwell, Owermoigne, Chaldon Herring, Winfrith Newburgh, West Lulworth, East Lulworth,Coombe Keynes, Wool, Affpuddle and Turnerspuddle, Bere Regis, Bloxworth, Winterborne Zelston, Lower Winterborne, Winterborne Whitechurch, Milton Abbas, Milborne St Andrew, Stinsford and Puddletown  
Session 1: 14 October
Session 2: 17 November

Cluster 10

Iwerne Courtney and Stepleton, Iwerne Minster, Ashmore, Sutton Waldron, Fontmell Magna, Compton Abbas, Melbury Abbas and Cann, Shaftesbury, Motcombe, Gillingham, Silton, Bourton, Buckhorn and Kington Magna.
Session 1: 7 September
Session 2: 15 October

Cluster 11

High Stoy, Haydon, North Wootton, Yeohead and Castleton, Sherborne, Queen Thorne, Bradford Abbas, Thornhackett, Clifton Maybank, Yetminster and Ryme, Intrinseca, Melbury Osmond, Chetnole and Stockwood, Cam Vale, Leigh, Melbury Bubb, Evershot, Melbury, Sampford, and Folke.
Session 1: 13 October
Session 2: 11 November

Cluster 12

Manston and Hammoon, The Orchards and Magaret Marsh, Shillingstone, Okeford Fitzpaine, Ibberton, Woolland, Stoke Wake, Hazelbury Bryan, Fifehead Neville, Mappowder, Pulham, Lydlinch, Sturminster Newton, Hinton St Mary, Fifehead Magdalen, Marnhull, Stalbridge, Stourton Caundle, Purse Caundle, Caundle Marsh, Bishop's Caundle, Holwell, Glanvilles Wootton and The Stours 
Session 1: 4 September
Session 2: 20 October

Cluster 13

Swanage, Langton Matravers, Worth Matravers, Corfe Castle, Studland, Kimmeridge, Steeple with Tyneham, East Stoke, East Holme, Church Knowle, Arne, Wareham, Wareham St. Martin, Morden, Lytchett Matravers, Lytchett Minster and Upton.
Session 1: 17 July
Session 2: 11 September

Find your area

Communities across Dorset have been grouped into 13 cluster areas. The map and descriptions provide an overview of the communities covered to help you find the right area. Select a cluster to view updates, themes, outcomes and the full list of towns, villages and parishes.

How to get involved

These sessions are designed to bring together community partners, including representatives from town and parish councils, local charities and other organisations, rather than individual residents. In the longer term, a key aim of this work is to bring decision-making closer to communities.

If you represent a voluntary or community sector organisation and would like to be involved, complete this short form to register.

Most other partners will have been contacted directly and will receive an invitation to their local event in the coming weeks. If you believe you have been missed, or have any questions, email [email protected].

If you have an idea or suggestion you would like to share, contact your town or parish councillor, or Dorset Council ward member. You can find out who represents your area by entering your postcode into My local information and selecting the 'My council' tab.

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