MORE than £500,000 has been awarded to charities and organisations in the first of two grant cycles this year.

Talbot Village Trust, a grant-giving charity, has awarded £571,098 to 36 causes across Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and Purbeck.

These grants ranged from £1,200 to £60,000 and are designed to boost wellbeing across communities and drive positive social change in the region.

Among the beneficiaries were Age UK North, South and West Dorset, which received £4,600 to support a dementia support group in Purbeck.

Rachel Weiss, chief operating officer from Age UK North, South & West Dorset said: “We are incredibly grateful to Talbot Village Trust for supporting our Forget Me Not provision in the Purbecks.

“We hope, with this funding, we can support even more people with dementia and their carers to access support, information and social activities.”

Citizens Advice East Dorset and Purbeck was given £50,000 for its Move On project, working to reduce risk of homelessness over the next two years.

Coda Music and Arts Trust has been given £20,000 to transform a barn on their site into a new space for community use.

Coda Music and Arts Trust’s chief executive Phil Hallett added: “We are all so grateful for the support from Talbot Village Trust and this grant is helping Coda to transform an old, dilapidated barn on our site into a wonderful new asset for our local community.

“The new space will enable hundreds of children, young people and adults of all abilities to learn, play, enjoy and benefit from music in a beautiful, new rehearsal and workshop room.

“With the Trust's support we are providing a unique space for creative therapies, wellbeing and lifelong learning.”

Diverse Abilities was given £10,000 for The Treehouse at Adventure Wonderland, while Faithworks was given £14,700 for a new operational model to provide additional housing for those at risk of homelessness.

Poole Waste Not Want was given £10,000 and The Power House (Poole) received £20,305 to set up the Thrive Hub, a community space in Hamworthy.

Other organisations to benefit from the grants include Pedall, New Forest Inclusive Cycling and Wild and Free Therapy, among others.

The decisions for the next round of grants will be made in November. For more information, visit the Talbot Village Trust website.