Volunteer Centre Dorset to Lead New Thriving Communities Initiative Supporting Older People

A new community-led initiative is launching in Dorset to strengthen local support for older people and help them stay active, independent, and connected.

Volunteer Centre Dorset (VCD) has been awarded a two-year contract to coordinate the first phase of the Dorset Thriving Communities Network, a new initiative to build stronger, more connected support for older people in Dorset.

As part of the programme, VCD will distribute around £132,000 in grant funding to small networks of community groups and charities.

The aim of the initiative is to establish and strengthen these small networks in Purbeck, North Dorset and Weymouth over the next few months so that they can provide support and opportunities to Dorset’s older residents.

Successful projects will include lunch clubs, arts classes, or warm spaces to encourage older people to stay independent and connected within their communities. Small grants will be provided for successful participating groups and charities.

Cllr Steve Robinson, Dorset Council Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, welcomed the ground-breaking initiative. He said:

“This ‘proof of concept’ exercise holds the potential to develop a completely new method of funding our Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) core costs to create a truly engaged and resilient sector, able to provide long term health and wellbeing support as our older population grows.”

“We have listened carefully to feedback from the VCS and believe that the benefits of having strong and stable groups and charities will be an enabler for Dorset to be an Age Friendly County and for our communities to thrive.”

Marie Waterman, Chief Executive of Volunteer Centre Dorset, added:

“We’re proud to be leading the first phase of the Thriving Communities Network in Dorset. This is about more than just funding—it’s about supporting the people and groups already making a difference in their neighbourhoods.

“By working together, we can create local networks that are responsive, resilient, and rooted in the strengths of each community. We’re excited to get started and help build a Dorset where older people are connected, supported, and able to live well in the places they call home.”

Dorset’s Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly (VCSA) will undertake a review after the first year of the initiative, reporting to the Dorset Health and Wellbeing Board.

 

If you would like to register your interest in being involved in a Thriving Community Network, please email support@volunteeringdorset.org.uk