One year of Mockingbird support for Dorset’s foster families
This month marks the one-year anniversary of Dorset’s first ever Mockingbird constellation – Pegasus.
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
Dorset residents invited to register to vote by post
Residents in Dorset will go to the polls to elect councillors for Dorset Council and Town and Parish Councils on 2 May 2024.
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
Ten years of getting Dorset online
Dorset Council’s volunteer digital champion service is ten years old and to celebrate is holding a ‘get online’ roadshow. During national ‘Get Online’ week (16-20 October) the council’s volunteers will be manning stalls in Sherborne, Bridport, Wool and Wimborne and anyone needing help to navigate the digital world are urged to come along. The volunteer… Read more Ten years of getting Dorset online
Dorset Council digital skills training programme wins national award
A free training programme that has recruited an army of special advisors to help thousands of Dorset’s residents get online has scooped a prestigious national award. Dorset Council’s ‘Embedded Digital Champion’ initiative has won the acclaimed ‘Digital Skills’ title at the Connected Britain awards in London last night. The award recognises the feat of training… Read more Dorset Council digital skills training programme wins national award
Dorchester Market Car Boot funding welcome applications
The Dorchester Market Car Boot Fund will open on Monday 25 September for applications from community and voluntary organisations working in and around Dorchester. The fund comes from weekly car boot sales held in Dorchester and will be distributed to local community and voluntary organisations in and around the town to benefit projects operating within… Read more Dorchester Market Car Boot funding welcome applications
Ceremony to honour our Merchant Navy
On Friday 1 September, Dorset Council will remember Merchant Navy Veterans by holding a flag-raising ceremony at County Hall in Dorchester at 10am.
What is it like to adopt?
What is it like to adopt? That is the question Aspire, the adoption agency for Dorset Council, has asked adopters as part of a new short film to encourage people across the county to consider adoption.
Need some capital funding towards a community project?
Are you looking to make a difference to people living in your community? Do you need some capital funding for your project? The latest round of the Capital Leverage Fund which is managed by Dorset Council, is still open and welcoming applications for projects which will provide new and improved facilities for communities and residents… Read more Need some capital funding towards a community project?
Don’t lose your voice – reminder to respond to the Annual Electoral Canvass
Households in the Dorset Council area are being asked to look out for an email asking residents to check whether the information on the electoral register is correct as part of the Annual Canvass for the Register of Electors. Every year councils must send a Household Enquiry Form to all properties in their area to… Read more Don’t lose your voice – reminder to respond to the Annual Electoral Canvass
Council celebrates apprenticeship success
Apprenticeships with Dorset Council are proving to be a real asset for upskilling the workforce and giving employees opportunities to fast track their careers. The number of people undertaking an apprenticeship increased by 52 per cent from 154 to 232 employees. The success of the programme can be largely attributed to a wider range of… Read more Council celebrates apprenticeship success
Young people ‘takeover’ Dorset Council
This year’s Takeover Challenge saw young people ‘takeover’ some of the top roles and responsibilities at Dorset Council.
Support for Dorset’s foster carers set to expand
Dorset Council is set to launch two new Mockingbird constellations this year, enabling more than 25 per cent of its foster carers to have access to 24/7 wrap-around support and an invaluable extended family support network.
Could you offer a home to Ukrainian refugees in Dorset?
Dorset Council is calling on residents to get in touch if they can open their homes and hearts to people who have fled the war in Ukraine. So far, more than 400 households in Dorset have sponsored refugees as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, but we still need more. As the war sadly… Read more Could you offer a home to Ukrainian refugees in Dorset?
Dorset marks Srebrenica Memorial Day
It’s Srebrenica Memorial Week (5 -11 July), the 28th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. A flag is flying over County Hall in Dorchester this week in memory of all those who died or suffered in the Srebrenica area in Eastern Bosnia 28 years ago, described by Kofi Annan as “The worst crime on European soil since the… Read more Dorset marks Srebrenica Memorial Day
Rural school transported from the country lane to the ultrafast highway
A rural school has been transported onto the ultrafast broadband highway thanks to Dorset Council’s ‘Fibre Hub Connectivity in Rural Dorset’ project. Stalbridge Primary School, near Sturminster Newton, is one of dozens of rural schools and community buildings being connected to some of the fastest internet speeds in the country. The council was awarded funding… Read more Rural school transported from the country lane to the ultrafast highway
Armed Forces Day hailed a success
Hundreds of people turned out for an Armed Forces Day celebration at the Corn Exchange in Blandford on Saturday 24th June.
Last call for funding round to help communities thrive
It’s not too late to apply for grants of up to £5000 for a project that brings communities across Dorset together. If you’re looking for funding to extend or add value to an existing project or event, or want to kickstart a new initiative that will make a difference for people in your community, time is running out… Read more Last call for funding round to help communities thrive
Dorset company set to make waves in the world of nuclear medicine and cancer treatment
A Dorset company is pioneering a new technology that looks set to revolutionise cancer diagnosis and treatment. Dr Tom Wallace-Smith from Poole and Canada-based Talmon Firestone are the brains behind Astral Systems – the newest company to land on the Dorset Innovation Park in Winfrith. And with their patented Multi-State Fusion (MSF) Reactor they are… Read more Dorset company set to make waves in the world of nuclear medicine and cancer treatment
Flying The Flag for Armed Forces Day 2023
There will be an Armed Forces Flag Raising Ceremony at County Hall, Dorchester, on Monday 19 June at 10am. The annual ceremony is an opportunity to honour service men and women, past and present and show our respect and celebrate all that the forces do to defend the nation at home and abroad. In attendance… Read more Flying The Flag for Armed Forces Day 2023
Get your skates on and make a difference to young people’s lives
Organisations that work with Dorset’s young people are being urged to get their skates on and bid for funding that could help transform lives. They have until 14 June to get on board and be in with a chance of securing funding from Dorset Council. The Dorset Youth Fund helps groups and clubs make a… Read more Get your skates on and make a difference to young people’s lives
Let’s celebrate Dorset Day!
The 1st June marks Dorset Day, an opportunity to celebrate Dorset’s rich heritage and beautiful scenery. Today, Dorset Council will be raising the familiar yellow, red and white County Civic Flag.
Volunteers’ Week 2023: Celebrate and Inspire
2023 marks the 39th year of Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June), when Dorset Council will join thousands of charities and voluntary organisations in celebrating the contribution volunteers make across Dorset. With this year’s theme of ‘Celebrate and Inspire’ we want to say a big thank you to all the wonderful volunteers and hopefully also encourage more… Read more Volunteers’ Week 2023: Celebrate and Inspire
‘Loving’ Dorset Council director shortlisted for a national award
An inspiring leader who is helping to transform the lives of families and young people across Dorset has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award. Dorset Council’s Executive Director for Children’s Services, Theresa Leavy, is a finalist in the Municipal Journal’s (MJ) Achievement Awards. Theresa, who has worked at the council since 2020, has been… Read more ‘Loving’ Dorset Council director shortlisted for a national award
Foster Care Fortnight: Meet our foster carers
This Foster Care Fortnight, we want to shine a light on some of the foster carers who are changing the lives of Dorset’s children and young people.
Find out more about Fostering with Dorset Council
Join us this Foster Care Fortnight (15-28 May) to find out more about fostering with Dorset Council.
Helping Dorset’s care leavers to live independently
Tuesday 18 April 2023, saw the official opening of a new purpose-built accommodation in Weymouth, which will provide homes for up to twelve young people leaving care.
New funding round to help improve community facilities in Dorset.
The latest round of the Capital Leverage Fund which is managed by Dorset Council, is now open and welcoming applications for projects which will provide new and improved facilities for our communities and residents.
Young people taking the lead
Young people from Dorset had a chance to discuss how they can make Dorset an even better place to be a child when they came together recently at a Youth Voice Residential.
