Community Organisations in Dorset and for the wider world:
First a church based agency:

The Dorset Historic Churches Trust
Since the trust was founded in 1959 it has assisted 150 churches in dorset. No longer restricted to helping churches over 150 years old, it helps with essential repairs and maintenance and has greatly increased the number of churches of all denominations with which it is concerned.
Contact: Robin Adeney, Esq, Crosskeys House, Broadwindsor, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3QP. Tel: (01308) 868063 email: robin.adeney@care4free.net
www.dorsethistoricchurchestrust.co.uk

IBEX, - The Churches working with the Economy, Central South Coast.
Supported by all the main denominations and working from Poole across to Southampton, (including East Dorset) the team helps churches to relate their Christian faith to issues of the workplace, and to offer a Christian perspective on work, the ethics of the workplace and economics. Training and networking for voluntary workplace and community chaplaincies.
Contact Rev Adrian Thomas, (Team leader and chaplain to Bournemouth airport) 81 Watcombe Road, Bournemouth BH6 3LX, tel. 01202 431862, Adrian.t@virgin.net www.ibex-csc.net

Others:

Dorset Community Action
The Dorset Council for Voluntary Services and support for rural and community services, including rural housing and transport.
Help with anything from how to attract funding for local projects to general rural issues, transport, village halls, local community and parish planning. Signposting to training for IT, fund-raising and health & hygiene courses for lunch club organisers.
Contact DCA at Community House, the Barracks, Bridport Road, Dorchester DT1 1YG. Tel 01305 250921 alannah.bolt@dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk
www.dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk

Disability groups and organisations -

Consumer Forum
The newsletter for people in Dorset with disabilities. Good for information, contacts, joining together to work for improved facilities. Also available on audio cassette.
Consumer Forum, Ridgeway House, Upwey, Weymouth, DT3 5QQ Tel 01305 814326 johnlambert@onetel.com

NorDDis
Now covering all of Dorset. Information on equipment hire and purchase. Welfare benefits advice (including help with claim forms), accessible holiday accommodation, support groups, (local and national), transport, mobility. Centres in Gillingham, Shaftesbury, Sturminster Newton, Dorchester, Bridport, Portland. For details of office opening contact Gillingham office 1, Newbury Court, Gillingham SP8 4QX 01747 821010, norddis4qx@aol.com

ICES. - Integrating Community Equipment Services
NHS funded initiative to provide equipment and adaptations to help disabled people live as independently as possible.
www.icesdoh.org

Care for older people -

Help & Care
Empowering people to implement changes and developments they want and need. Works across Dorset, Poole and Bournemouth. Slogan is 'Enhancing lives; Achieving change'.
Contact them at Pokesdown Centre, 896 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH7 6DL tel 0845 4500 418 info@helpandcare.org.uk www.helpandcare.org.uk

Pramacare
[Care for elderly and disabled people in Dorset. Ask Jean Alexander for details - she used to co-ordinate it]

Dorset Race Equality Council,
Eager to come and help groups/churches to think of BME (black and minority ethnic) issues and train up 'champions' who will make the case for BMEs in their own settings. Not only for groups with many people from ethnic minorities! We all need to be more aware of the issues and to make the case for racial equality.
43 Oxford Road, Bournemouth, BH8 8JB tel 01202 553003 dorset.raceequality@ukonline.co.uk

Youth organisations -

Dorset Youth Partnership
The partnership of the statutory and voluntary organisations for young people.
Youth & Community Service HQ, Hammick Houise, Bridport Road, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3SD Tel 01305 254009 d.m.higton@dorsetcc.gov.uk

Dorset Youth Association
A partnership of the voluntary sector for young people
Dorset Youth Association, Lubbecke Way, Dorchester DT1 1QL 01305 262440 dorset.youth.assoc@lineone.net

Dorset Children's Fund.
A fund for projects run by the voluntary sector in Dorset.
tel 01305 751234 swdcf@mail.nch.org.uk

Environmental groups -

Dorset Agenda 21
A partnership of individuals and organisations, it campaigns, gives advice and inspiration for groups to help people to make positive changes towards a more sustainable future.
Sally Cooke, Bhompston Farm, Dorchester DT2 8QN info@dorsetagenda21.org.uk www.dorsetagenda21.org.uk

Dorset Wildlife Trust
Set up to protect and conserve the wildlife and habitats of the county. Information to raise awareness of the value of wildlife and advice in conserving local habitats. Excellent annual sponsored walk - the Hardy Hike, each September.
Tel 01305 264620 www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/Dorset

Harvest Help - a good one for making connections between rural issues in this country with those of the developing world. Tel 01952 260699 www.mrdf.org.uk