Christchurch Community Groups to Benefit from £991,899 BCP Support Fund

Community organisations across Christchurch are set to benefit from a major funding programme aimed at helping residents through financial hardship and reducing the risk of future crisis.

A total of £991,899 has been awarded to 42 grassroots groups and charities across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole through Dorset Community Foundation's BCP Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Among those receiving support are several organisations working directly within the Christchurch area, including Christchurch Community Partnership, Christchurch Foodbank+, Somerford Youth and Community Centre, Water Lily Project and Christchurch Support Kabin.

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Christchurch organisations receive new funding

The funding has been awarded through a combination of one-year and three-year grants, giving some organisations greater certainty when planning longer-term projects and services.

Christchurch Community Partnership, Christchurch Foodbank+ Faith-Works, Somerford Youth and Community Centre and the Water Lily Project have all been awarded three-year grants.

Meanwhile, Christchurch Support Kabin is among the organisations receiving funding for one year.

Although individual grant amounts have not been detailed for each of the Christchurch recipients in the funding announcement, the organisations form part of a wider programme supporting people affected by the cost of living, financial insecurity and other challenges.

Moving beyond immediate crisis support

The BCP Crisis and Resilience Fund has been created with a broader aim than simply providing emergency help.

The programme is intended to support projects that can help residents overcome immediate difficulties while developing skills, connections and greater financial resilience for the future.

Funding comes through BCP Council from the government's Crisis and Resilience Fund, which has replaced the previous Household Support Fund.

Projects across the BCP area include food support, budgeting and cooking programmes, employability initiatives, support for young people and families, and services helping people experiencing housing or financial difficulties.

The Christchurch organisations included in the programme already provide a range of practical and community-based services within the local area.

Greater certainty for community organisations

One significant feature of the programme is the use of multi-year grants.

Rather than organisations having to continually apply for short-term funding, three-year awards can provide greater certainty when planning services, recruiting staff and developing partnerships.

BCP Council's Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, Cllr Sandra Moore, said the combination of one-year and multi-year grants would give organisations greater confidence to plan their work and support more residents.

She said the programme was not solely about helping people during an immediate crisis but also about strengthening local community networks and creating a more joined-up system of support across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Supporting Christchurch residents

For Christchurch, the funding means several organisations already working closely with local residents will be able to continue or develop their support.

Christchurch Foodbank+ provides assistance to people experiencing food and financial difficulties, while Christchurch Community Partnership works across the area to reduce isolation and connect residents with support and activities.

Somerford Youth and Community Centre provides a community base within Somerford, while the Water Lily Project supports vulnerable women.

Together with Christchurch Support Kabin, their inclusion in the programme means funding will reach different parts of the community and support residents with a variety of needs.

While the overall £991,899 fund covers the wider BCP area, the inclusion of several Christchurch organisations ensures a proportion of that investment will directly support people and community projects closer to home.