Our 2024/25 Annual Report is a must-read for every organisation like yours across our incredible county. This isn’t just a review of our year; it’s a powerful tool packed with insights, data, and a clear vision for the future of the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) in Dorset. This report offers a unique, hyper-local lens on the Dorset charity landscape. Forget generic national statistics – this is your county’s story, reflecting the specific challenges and incredible triumphs we’ve witnessed right here.
Advice and insights you’ll find inside:
- Funding Opportunities: Curious about where the money is flowing in Dorset? Our report highlights where £1.93 Million in grant funding was secured for local groups this year. Understanding these trends can help you refine your own funding strategies.
- Gaps in Service Provision: We’ve identified crucial gaps in service provision across Dorset. This intelligence can help you fine-tune your services or even identify new areas where your group can make a significant difference.
- Organisational Health Checks: Discover how to build long-term resilience and independence. The report offers a glimpse into the trends in support, from legal structures to safeguarding – practical advice for a stronger future.
- Enhanced collaboration; How we ensure the VCS voice is heard at strategic levels across Dorset. Understanding these channels can empower your organisation to engage more effectively in local decision-making.
- Volunteer Engagement: How we’re fostering greater engagement and ensuring efforts lead to tangible, positive change. Explore insights from our Volunteering Hub and Volunteer Fairs.
- Championing Inclusivity: Read about our proactive work, including the Ethnically Diverse Communities Project, which helped all 13 grant applicants successfully secure funding. This section offers valuable lessons in promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion within the VCS.
The report reflects the dedication and passion of everyone involved in Dorset’s VCS. As Martin Broad, our Chair of Trustees, shares in his Foreword:
“Being Chair of Community Action Network really enhances my own wellbeing! By that I mean that in my ongoing collaborative working with fellow Trustees and the Operational staff, I find myself in a privileged position of overseeing many successes in our work across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and Dorset, and it is that which brings me personal satisfaction and a real sense of pride.”
And from Karen Loftus, CAN Chief Executive, in her Introduction:
“I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for what we, as a community, have accomplished. This year has shown the impact that a strong, supported Voluntary and Community Sector can have on individual lives and the wider community.”
Their words underscore the profound impact that a robust and supported VCS has on individual lives and our wider community. This report is more than just an overview; it’s a blueprint for growth and collaboration within Dorset’s unique charitable landscape.
