By Natasha Senior, VCS Development Lead BCP

The Community Wellbeing & Mental Health Fund is open for another round, offering a total of £1 million to support vital community-led activities and services across Dorset (including Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole).

Provided by NHS Dorset and delivered in partnership with the Dorset Community Foundation, this fund aims to alleviate mental health pressures by empowering local, non-clinical community groups who know their residents best.

Whether you are an established organisation looking to scale up or a newer group piloting a fresh initiative, CAN is here to support you before you apply and throughout your delivery.

Real impact in our communities

Previous rounds of the fund have shown the transformative power of community-led mental health support, working alongside the wider Access Wellbeing ecosystem.

Here is what the funding has achieved to date:

• 1-Year Grants: £360,000 awarded across 42 groups, directly benefiting 690+ residents and volunteers.

• 2-Year Grants: £640,000 awarded across 11 established groups, supporting 1,330+ people in its first year alone.

From therapeutic gardening and creative writing to peer support networks and outdoor movement, these grants have delivered early, preventative help that reduces social isolation and builds long-term resilience across Dorset.

A few examples of previously funded projects:

• Acts Fast: Free 1:1, trauma-informed support to help clients build stability and healthy coping strategies.

• Age UK North, South and West Dorset: Outreach and Independent Living Support in rural areas to reduce isolation for older adults.

• B Sharp: Music-based support groups for new parents and carers experiencing postnatal depression.

• BEAF Arts Company: Creative writing and performance sessions for the LGBTQ+ community to boost mental health and connection.

💰 What funding is available?

This funding programme supports non-clinical activities and services for adults (age 18+):

• Grants up to £20,000 (18–24 months): For groups operating community activities for two years or more who need support to sustain, adapt, or expand established work. (Smaller requests are welcome!)

• Grants up to £5,000 (12 months): For newer groups (delivering for under two years) or established groups launching new pilot services or new ways of working.

🛠️ Free Pre & Post Application Support from CAN

Applying for grants can take time and effort, but you don’t have to do it alone. CAN provides free 1:1 advice and tailored pre-application support to help ensure your project proposal fits the fund priorities and is completely funding-ready. We also provide ongoing post-grant support and networking to help you track your impact.

👉 Register for CAN pre-application support and 1:1 advice

Key Dates

• 📝 Application Deadline: Midday on August 6th

• 📬 Outcome Notifications: By the end of September

• 🚀 Project Start Date: Mid-October (at the earliest)

👉 Ready to apply?

• Read the full Fund Guidance & Application Information.

• Contact CAN for Pre-Application Support to give you the best chance of success!