The Community Chest for 2010 is a pool of £20,000 and a time bank of up to 200 hours for practical voluntary help from Hall & Woodhouse employees. Applications are now being accepted. The Hall & Woodhouse Community Chest was established in 2002 to provide local help for the community in and around Dorset. Since then, over £100,000 has been donated to 148 local voluntary organisations, with Hall & Woodhouse's employees completing over 2,000 hours of voluntary work assisting with practical projects in the local community. The Hall & Woodhouse team is supported by partners, Blackmore Vale Magazine, Vale FM and The Community Foundation for Dorset, who provide the Community Chest with publicity, advice and local knowledge.
The aim of the Community Chest is to:
- work together towards improving both facilities and the lives of residents in the community;
- promote, encourage and support community involvement; and
- offer access funds to local voluntary groups with clearly identified needs.
Any voluntary or community organisation or group with a local interest, that is based or works in the Dorset area for the benefit of local people, is eligible to apply. Grants of between £300 and £3,000 are available. Applications can also be made for practical assistance such as:
- painting and decorating;
- gardening;
- electrical testing; and
- woodworking.
Eligible costs include the following:
- Equipment, furniture.
- Training.
- Transport.
- Professional assistance.
- Specific project resources.
Projects will be assessed in the following key areas:
- Need - Is there a real need for this project? Does the project really improve the lives of local residents?
- Own Efforts - How much money has been raised by the project's organisers or the applicant organisation?
- Difference - How much more money is needed to make the project a reality? Will a grant enable the project to happen?
Application deadline 10 May 2010. Applications can be made online at:
http://www.hall-woodhouse.co.uk/communitychest/dorset/overview/index.asp#whenapply
or by using the forms printed in the Blackmore Vale & Community Magazines.
The judges will split the applications into two groups: large awards of over £1,000, and small awards. The large awards will be shortlisted for a judges' visit and the small awards judged on the merit of their application form only.
Contact: Hall & Woodhouse Ltd, Community Chest Dorset, The Brewery, Blandford St Mary, Dorset, DT11 9LS