Volunteer Centre Dorset provides the emergency local assistance fund. The fund is for situations where individuals or families face an immediate risk to their health and safety and have tried all other types of support.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible, one of these circumstances must apply. You must:
- be fleeing a situation of domestic violence
- have recently left institutionalised care
- be facing exceptional pressure (for example, victim of a disaster that could not be prevented, such as a house fire or flood)
You must also be:
- aged 18 or over
- a Dorset resident (excluding Bournemouth Poole and Christchurch)
- receiving a means tested benefit
You must not be:
- subject to immigration controls
- a resident of a care home or hospital inpatient
- a prisoner/person lawfully detained or on release under temporary license
What the fund can be used for
We distribute funding through vouchers.
Your voucher can be used to buy:
- essential white goods
- furniture
- emergency utilities (water, gas and electricity)
Who can apply
You can apply for funding towards emergency utilities yourself. For essential white goods or furniture, you will need to get support from a professional or organisation. They will apply on your behalf.
Professionals and organisations include:
- housing associations
- health visitors
- social workers
- Shelter
- our housing team
- The YOU Trust
- The Lantern Trust
- HelpandKindness
- Citizens advice
Before you apply
Because there is limited funding available, you must have tried all other support before you apply. Volunteer Centre Dorset or any professional supporting your application can help you with this.
How to apply
We only accept applications over the phone.
To apply, call us on: 0330 1234 225
Opening hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
What happens next
If you are eligible, we will advise you of what funding you are eligible for and how the grant process works.
We will email or text you with your voucher details. For white goods or furniture, we will specify which retailer you can spend your voucher with.
You cannot exchange vouchers for cash. You must send us a proof of purchase for items you buy using your voucher.