THE first beneficiaries of the Talbot Village Trust's £1 million COVID-19 Support Fund, backed by the Daily Echo, have been announced.

More than £600,000 of grants have been issued to 47 Dorset charities, community groups and others. As a result of exceptional demand, this is three times the expected total of first round of grants.

These recipients include charities such as Lewis Manning Trust, Dorset Children’s Foundation and LOVECHURCH St Swithun’s.

Read about the launch here

The trust launched the £1 million fund on April 6. Since then, applications have been received from dozens of charities and community groups in need of financial support to continue to operate through the crisis period.

More than 90 per cent of applications were successful.

Sir Christopher Lees, chairman of the trust, said: “We have been bowled over by the number of applications we received since launching the fund, demonstrating just how much need there is in the community to weather this storm.

"We would urge any charity or organisation that is struggling to consider applying as soon as they can.”

Talbot Village Trust trustees, BCP Council leader Vikki Slade and Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell reviewed the first round of applications.

A virtual meeting to review the second round of applications will be attended by High Sheriff of Dorset George Streatfield and MP for Bournemouth West Conor Burns.

Mr Streatfield said: “This initiative from Talbot Village Trust is exactly what is needed to help our local charities get through this crisis – funding that can be delivered quickly and based on those in most need.

"Support for our local communities is needed more than ever, and this sort of initiative can be a lifeline to charities and others doing good work during this crisis.”

Mr Burns said: “Charities contribute hugely to the social fabric of our community, so it is vitally important that we help them survive the current crisis.

"I am therefore delighted to see the first round of grants announced today by the Talbot Village Trust.

"By providing rapid financial support, and with a strong understanding of our community, the trust is doing a fantastic job in helping both our local charities and the people that rely upon them."

To apply for the second round, see below.

The full list of recipients

  • ISABEL BAKER FOUNDATION
  • SWOP - CHERRY TREE NURSERY
  • SAMEE
  • POOLE COMMUNITY RADIO (HOT RADIO)
  • HOPE HOUSING TRUST
  • CHRISTCHURCH OPEN AWARDS CENTRE
  • HELPING HOMELESS VETERANS
  • CREATIVE KIDS
  • SPACE YOUTH PROJECT
  • POOLE WASTE NOT WANT NOT
  • HOPE FM
  • DORSET CANCER CARE FUND
  • MUDEFORD WOOD COMMUNITY CENTRE
  • HELPFUL HOUNDS
  • LOVECHURCH (ST SWITHUN’S)
  • LEWIS MANNING TRUST
  • SWANAGE RAILWAY TRUST
  • BUS STOP CLUB
  • KINGSLEIGH PRIMARY
  • CONNIE ROTHMAN EDUCATION TRUST
  • AGE UK
  • WATER LILY PROJECT
  • BOURNEMOUTH BLIND SOCIETY
  • CRUSE
  • CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
  • BRITISH LIVER TRUST
  • HOME START SOUTH EAST
  • MACMILLAN CARING LOCALLY
  • GATEWAY CHURCH POOLE
  • BOURNE ACADEMY
  • STABLE FAMILY HOME TRUST
  • BIG ISSUE FOUNDATION
  • MYTIME
  • BRENDONCARE
  • DORSET CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION
  • DORSET RECLAIM
  • IMMANUEL CHURCH SOUTHBOURNE
  • WHEELS FOR FREEDOM
  • PRAMALIFE
  • POOLE COMMUNITY EXCHANGE
  • THE FOOTPRINTS PROJECT
  • ACCESS DORSET
  • ANIMAL CANOPY
  • ALACRIFY FOUNDATION
  • PARENT CARERS FOUNDATION
  • THE ALLENDALE CAFÉ LTD

To apply for the second round

THE second round of applications for the fund can be made from today until Monday, April 27, by charities and community groups from across Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, East Dorset and Purbeck.

Applicants can apply for up to £50,000 of financial support. Priority will be given to organisations directly helping people, families and communities during the Covid-19 crisis.

Talbot Village Trust trustees and key local stakeholders will meet virtually to review applications and award funds. Each application will be considered on its own merits and organisations and charities can apply more than once if needed.

The fund will provide revenue, core funding or capital and equipment requirements to enable the continued delivery of essential service.

Successful applicants will be notified on Monday, May 4.

Email questions to covid19.fund@talbotvillagetrust.org

To apply, go to talbotvillagetrust.org/covid-19-support-fund