New look NHS APP

The new look NHS App is being rolled out to users and will take a few weeks until it hits all devices. The improvements, based on feedback from both patients and staff, make it easier for people to find the services patients need and is part of the drive to improve digital access as set out in the 10 Year Health Plan for England. Changes include a new home page and relocating information making it easier to navigate to the services you need. You can find out more about the changes and view a video about the change on the following link: https://digital.nhs.uk/services/nhs-app/resources/new-look-nhs-app-what-is-changing

Operation Relentless Community Fund

The Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is inviting community groups and organisations across Dorset to apply for the next round of the Operation Relentless Community Fund. The fund supports projects that help prevent and tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB), strengthen communities, and protect vulnerable people. It forms part of the PCC’s ongoing work to address antisocial behaviour in Dorset. Grants are available to support initiatives that engage young people, divert individuals away from violence or criminality, and build resilience within local communities. Voluntary and community sector organisations, charities, and other eligible groups are encouraged to apply. For more information and to apply for a grant please click on the following link: https://www.dorset.pcc.police.uk/working-in-partnership/operation-relentless-community-fund-asb/

Connect to Work – Skills and Learning Adult Community Education

Skills & Learning Adult Community Education (ACE) is pleased to announce that Connect to Work, our new Supported Employment service, is now live. This service will support residents across the Dorset and BCP council areas who face barriers to employment, helping them move into and stay in meaningful paid work. For more information and to apply please click on the following link: https://www.skillsandlearningace.com/connect-to-work-dorset/

CAN events in April

Our friends at Community Action Network (CAN) have a number of events coming up in April including a volunteer fair, SEND information event, and drop-in information stations. More information about their volunteer fair and all their upcoming events: https://can100.org/training-and-events/all-events/

Help shape new area wards for Dorset Council

A public consultation has been launched to help shape new council wards for Dorset Council. The Local Government Boundary Commission for England wants to hear people’s views on where they live, to help make sure that the new wards reflect the size and shape of local communities. An electoral review is being carried out to make sure that each local councillor represents about the same number of electors, and that the wards they represent reflect community identities. The consultation closes on 1^st June, for more information please click on the following link: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/news/consultation-launched-on-review-of-local-election-boundaries-in-dorset

Care Curious Community Hub meetings in Poole

If you have questions relating to care and support for yourself or someone you care for, please pop along to the Care Curious Community Hub to get information, support, and a hot drink! The hub has helped many people with the big things that matter but also the small things no one talks about. The hub operates from Heather’s Tearoom ( 233-235 Ashley Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 3NR) every Wednesday from 10am – 2pm. A poster is attached for information.

Carers Week 2026

Carers Week 2026 will take place from 8^th – 14^th June and will focus on building carer friendly communities. The campaign aims to highlight the need for greater recognition and support for unpaid carers. A carer friendly community is any place, space or organisation that values carers and takes practical steps to support them by identifying who they are, listening to their experiences, and ensuring they are not left to manage alone. Carers UK estimates that unpaid carers save the UK economy £184 billion each year (an amount comparable to the cost of running a second NHS!) yet many carers still do not receive the support they need. In Dorset we have fantastic people and organisations that support carers but we always want to strengthen the availability of local support—and this is where your help is vital. If your group or organisation would like to take part in celebrating and supporting carers, Fran Stauber would love to hear from you: fran.stauber@nhs.net.

Healthy Homes Dorset through Ridgewater Energy

Ridgewater Energy deliver a Dorset project called ‘Healthy Homes Dorset’ on behalf of Dorset Council and Public Health which provides free support to residents in the area. They offer free energy advice over the phone and by e-mail, or in certain cases by home visit. They also deliver projects which help replace kitchen appliances, install insulation, heating replacements and upgrades, as well as renewable energy technologies, which support you on your journey to a warmer, more energy efficient and greener home. All schemes are subject to eligibility requirements/survey (where applicable). For more information, or to see if you qualify for these services, please check their website: www.Ridgewaterenergy.co.uk  or call a member of the team on 01202 612726.

We’re Stronger Together: Dorset VCS Partnership Event

If you’re a small community group, a large charity, or already a partner organisation, you’re invited to this year’s biggest collaborative event, bringing together voluntary and community groups and organisations from across Dorset, alongside partners from Dorset Council and the NHS. This event is an opportunity for organisations of all sizes to connect, share experiences, and build relationships across sectors. Together, you’ll explore how we can better understand each other’s work, strengthen partnerships, and identify new ways to collaborate to support communities across Dorset. To view the event’s agenda click here: We’re Stronger Together: Dorset VCS Partnership Event or to register: https://volunteercentredorset.beaconforms.com/form/d439b0c2

Newsletters

I have been sent a few newsletters in the last week, please see below information and links:

• Active Dorset – Lots of interesting articles on wellbeing, fitness and movement, you can sign up by contacting: hello@activedorset.org. Here’s a link to their newsletter: https://comms.activedorset.org/emails/view.email.browser.php?id=879-69ce2629de266
• Healthwatch – information about their latest surveys, reports and activities in Dorset. You can sign up by contacting: enquiries@healthwatchdorset.co.uk. Here’s a link to their newsletter: alecto.eocampaign1.com/web-version?ep=2&lc=9802c178-214e-11f1-8755-b79e68a101cb&p=620ee320-2cdf-11f1-8d9d-ff702ced9539&pt=campaign&t=1774964124&s=b9149985c91c3bfbeff9ce78285f1127e7dc8466eeee9e0d8b3f4d84b9a4e729
• Chitter Chatter Club – All the latest from the organisation combatting loneliness through encouraging people to meet up in a social environment. You can sign up through their website: Subscribe | Chitter Chatter Club  Here’s a link to their newsletter: aprils-chitter-chatter-club-newsletter

iPhone giveaway scam

A scam email impersonating O2 tells you that you've won an iPhone 15 Pro and simply need to complete 'a quick 4 minute survey' to receive this 'fantastic prize' is doing the rounds. You will not be entered into a prize draw and will instead go to a phishing website designed to take your personal details and payment information. You can report scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk  and malicious websites to the National Cyber Security Centre: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams/report-scam-website

DrDoctor outpatient messages at DCH

Dorset County Hospital (DCH) uses a patient engagement platform called DrDoctor that will provide automatic SMS and email notifications to keep patients informed about their outpatient appointments. Patients receive an SMS or email confirmation (depending on their communication preference) as soon as an appointment is booked and reminder messages are automatically sent 14 days and 4 days before the appointment. Just make sure your contact details on your hospital record is correct and you shouldn’t need to do anything else. If you have any questions please contact me.  

Dorset Voluntary & Community Sector Assembly - FREE webinars

Dorset Voluntary & Community Sector Assembly have free webinars that could benefit people working for or volunteering in the fantastic voluntary and community sector in Dorset. Upcoming webinars includes From Competition to Collaboration: Sharing and Keeping Each Other Informed, Co‑Design and Co‑Production: Putting Communities at the Heart of Partnerships, and Partnerships That Deliver: Interactive Workshop. For more information and to book a space on a webinar or to view one of their past sessions please visit their website:  https://www.dorsetvcsa.co.uk/dorset-vcsa-exchange-webinar-series

Get Dorset Cooking LIVE with the Friendly Food Club

The Friendly Food Club are holding a fun celebration of food and cooking on Wednesday 20^th May at the Corn Exchange in Dorchester, inviting existing friends and supporters along with those interested in healthy eating to attend. The free event will feature a great team of chefs, including Celebrity Chef Lesley Waters (BBC Ready Steady Cook), Nicholas Balfe (Great British Menu & Holm, Somerset) and Steve Yates (Kings Arms, Dorchester) and compered by Steve Oxford (Oxford’s Bakery). Attendees will be guided through making a delicious 3-course lunch, before sitting together to enjoy it. All equipment and ingredients will be provided. Booking is essential, for more information and to book a space please click on the following link: https://www.thefriendlyfoodclub.org/events/347/get-dorset-cooking-live?d=2026-05-20

New podcasts now available

A couple local organisations release regular podcasts that may be interesting for you:

• Wessex Cancer Alliance have launched a series of short podcasts on the National Cancer Plan. To listen to all episodes click on the following link: The National Cancer Plan Podcast Series: an overview with Wessex Cancer Alliance - YouTube
• Dorset Women CIC’s popular podcase series is back and the latest episode is on the topic of Improving Access to Sex & Sexual Health Services. To listen to this and all episodes please click on the following link: https://dorsetwomen.org.uk/speaking-of-womens-health-podcast/

BOWRA Bag – a free stroke and brain injury support kit

The BOWRA foundation was founded in 2019 by former Royal Marine Mark Bowra MBE to help people rebuild their lives after brain injury and stroke through practical support and purposeful activity. The BOWRA Bag is a specially assembled toolkit of practical items designed to support survivors of stroke and brain injury in the early stages of rehabilitation. Each BOWRA Bag is bespoke to the individual, reflecting their goals, needs, and stage of recovery and can include things like a non-drip water bottle, resistance band/exercise loop, easy tie shoelaces and a knork (a fork with a built-in cutting edge) in an easy to carry rucksack. For more information on the BOWRA bag please visit their website: https://bowra-foundation.org/bowra-bag/  They are also looking for clinicians with a passion to support the project to join a focus and help play a key role in the bag's development. If you know someone who can help please contact: Megan.H@bowra-foundation.org

Do you know someone who could be a trustee at Dorset Community Foundation?

Dorset Community Foundation are looking for younger and more diverse members who want to give back to Dorset to join their board of trustees. They are looking for people with lived experience of working with grass roots charities and voluntary groups, or being helped by them, to bring a greater appreciation of what they need. They are also looking for anyone with financial investment experience. Please visit their website for more information: https://www.dorsetcommunityfoundation.org/news/seach-for-new-trustees/ or email them: admin@dorsetcf.org

Fundamentals of Care Programme – improving care at UHD

University Hospitals Dorset are inviting patients and/or carers to take part in a listening event on Tuesday 21^st April at Christchurch Hospital. Your stories, ideas and experiences will help give them guidance on the right support people need in their hospitals. Reasonable travel costs will be paid. More information is in the attached poster, to register please click on the following link Fundamentals of Care Workshop or call: 0300 019 8610

Download and view the information poster.

Dorset Council’s Home Habitats campaign – your last chance to participate

Many thanks to everyone who’s taken the time to visit Dorset Council’s website or watch one of their videos, they’ve had over 4,000 people visit their website, over 1,400 people use their energy advice tool and over 115,000 views of their videos! This campaign finishes on 31^st March, if you’d like to test out the energy advice tool, watch a video or look at their webpages links are below:

• Homewise energy advice tool
• campaign videos 
• home energy advice webpages

Help protect against future pandemics – Bird Flu clinical vaccine trial volunteers needed

Our colleagues at Wessex research hubs are currently looking for volunteers to take part in clinical trials for a Bird Flu vaccine. They’re looking for people aged 18 – 65 to take part, time and travel expenses will be paid. For more information and to register your interest please email uhd.bournemouthresearchhub@nhs.net

Help & Care’s HOPE programme in Bridport

Following my recent updates on the HOPE programme across Dorset, this time I’ve attached a poster for the Bridport sessions, which start on the 16^th April. HOPE is a free six-week course, covering topics such as managing stress and fatigue, getting better sleep and mindfulness amongst others. For any enquiries on the Bridport sessions or others in the county please contact: hope@helpandcare.org.uk

Download the event poster.

Do you know someone who should be on the Priority Services Register for their utilities?

The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free UK-wide service that provides extra support and tailored assistance to vulnerable customers during electricity, gas, or water supply interruptions. People on the Priority Services Register can get 24/7 power cut updates, a personalised power cut plan, Tailored communication (braille, audio, large print etc), and a safety password for peace of mind. Eligible people include those who need temporary extra support — for example after hospital discharge, is deaf or hard of hearing, has a disability, lives with children under 5, is blind or partially sighted, has a chronic illness, relies on medical equipment that needs electricity, or is over 60. Registering someone is free and straightforward to do, in Dorset just click on the following link for the SSEN website. You only need to register once and this will apply for your gas and water connection too: https://www.ssen.co.uk/power-cuts-emergencies/priority-services/

Volunteering for St John Ambulance

The Dorset branch of St John Ambulance would like your help to spread the word about a couple fantastic volunteering opportunities that exist in the county. They’re currently looking for Emergency Responders and Community First Aiders. I’ve attached posters for information, if you could print and put posters up on notice boards and share digitally with friends, community groups and on social media that’d be great. I have larger file sizes available if you would like higher resolution posters – just let me know! For enquiries about the volunteering roles visit their website: https://www.sja.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities/ or email Jane: Jane.Nield@sja.org.uk

Latest Dorset Women CIC Podcast now available

The latest podcast from Dorset Women CIC called ‘compassionate maternal mental health services’ is now available for you to listen. It’s episode 5 in the series and there are 3 bonus episodes to listen to as well!  To listen to their podcasts or access the fantastic range of information available please visit their website: https://dorsetwomen.org.uk/speaking-of-womens-health-podcast/

Help & Care HOPE programme

I mentioned a couple weeks ago Help & Care’s Help to Overcome Problems Effectively (HOPE) programme, which is a free 6-week course that can help people manage fatigue and stress, deal with setbacks, get active and creative amongst others. I’ve now attached a poster for the programme that runs throughout Dorset including Boscombe, Bridport, Christchurch and Weymouth. If possible, please print and display the poster in public areas, it would be great for more people to know about the course! Here’s a link to their website for information: https://www.helpandcare.org.uk/what-we-offer/hope/

Lloyds bank scam email

A scam email impersonating Lloyds Bank is doing the rounds, telling you that the bank is ‘changing the way it looks’ and needs you to ‘reauthenticate to continue using your account’. It then asks you to click on a link to proceed. On Lloyds Bank's official website, it says genuine emails will always greet you by name, include part of your main account number and never link directly to the internet banking login page. A version of the scam email is attached for your information. You can report scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk

Ageing without children survey

Ageing Without Children (AWOC) is the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting and advocating for people who are ageing without the support of adult children. They are currently reviewing their strategy to decide their priorities for the next 4 years and are running a short survey to find out more about your experiences and views. Although the published closing date is 6^th March you should still be able to contribute your feedback. This is a national survey but findings from Dorset will be shared with key stakeholders. To take part in the survey please click on the following link: https://awoc.org.uk/ageing-without-children-survey-2026/

Help Shape the Dorset Anchor Programme – Invitation to VCS Information Sessions

Macmillan Cancer Support’s Neighbourhood Transformation Fund is a new way of investing that focusses on working together to shape the care and support people need in local communities. Over the next three years, £500,000 will be invested into the sector to provide small grants to tackle health inequalities, strengthen VCS involvement in local health and care systems, and place people with lived experience at the centre of decision-making. Dorset Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly (VCSA) are holding meetings on Tuesday 17 March, 16:00–16:45 and Wednesday 18 March, 12:00–12:45 to discuss this. If you would like to be involved please contact: adam.martel@dorsetvcsa.co.uk with your name, organisation, and preferred session. They will send the joining link the day before.

Young Carers Action Day

Young Carers Action Day is taking place on 11^th March 2026 and the theme for this year’s event is 'Fair Futures for Young Carers', a call to ensure every young carer has the same chances to learn, grow and thrive as their peers. There is a webpage with more information about the day: https://ourdorset.org.uk/yong-carers-action-day-next-steps-and-offers-of-support/  or contact Lizzie: Lizzie.eden@nhs.net

Radio Solent Make a Difference Awards – nominations now open

The BBC Radio Solent Make a Difference Awards celebrate individuals, groups and animals who go above and beyond to help others. Do you know someone who deserves recognition — a great volunteer, young hero or even a helpful animal? Nominations are open until 31^st March. There are eight categories including Volunteer Award, Young Her Award, Great Neighbour Award and Community Group Award amongst others. For more information and to make a nomination please click on the following link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/makeadifference/awards/

Free online sessions to understand challenging child behaviours

Action for Children are holding free sessions on 4^th March and 15^th April for parents living in Dorset to better understand child behaviours that can be challenging. The sessions are delivered by a child clinical psychologist for parents whose children are between the ages of 5 – 11. More information is in the attached poster or click on the following link to book: https://service.actionforchildren.org.uk/dorset-services/parenting/#information-session-dates

Care where we live - conversations about adult social care reform

An online platform from the Local Government Association (LGA) gives people who use care services (unpaid carers, professionals, and partner organisations) a space to share their experiences and insights. The feedback will inform national discussions on adult social care reform, including work linked to the Casey Commission. This is an important opportunity to help ensure carers are recognised and supported in future policy and practice. Steve, the Lived Experience chair of the Pan Dorset Carers Steering Group recently shared his carer story and reflections at a webinar hosted by the LGA on this topic and the response was very positive. There is now an opportunity to ensure Dorset’s voices and experience are represented even wider. For more information and to participate please click on the following link: https://lga.clevertogether.com/welcome

Hope programme at Help & Care

HOPE is a free six-week self-management course designed for people aged 18 or over who are registered with a GP in Dorset and ready to explore new ways of looking after their health. It’s ideal for anyone living with long-term conditions or facing the pressures of caring. Led by trained facilitators, each session blends proven techniques with supportive peer discussion, helping participants discover what matters to them and build tools that last well beyond the course. Courses take place throughout Dorset, for more information or to book a space please visit their website: https://www.helpandcare.org.uk/what-we-offer/hope/

Help & Care services

Along with the Hope programme mentioned above, our colleagues at Help & Care offer a variety of services and support for people in different parts of Dorset including Social Prescribing, Health & Wellbeing Coaching, Carers Service and Dementia Coordinator Services amongst others. For information on the services offered please visit their website:  https://www.helpandcare.org.uk/

Introducing Active Dorset Partner Packs

Our friends at Active Dorset are launching their new Partner Packs – practical resources designed to help you champion movement in your workplace. There will be three packs available every year and will focus on a month-long theme, which incorporates pre-existing awareness days and weeks, allowing partners to plan ahead and engage as much, or as little as time allows. Active April is the first pack and will focus on Stress Awareness Week, World Health Day, and On Your Feet Day. For more information and to register please visit the Active Dorset website: https://www.activedorset.org/partner-packs or contact Dan Hunt: dhunt@activedorset.org

Dorset VCSA Fortifies Board with new members

The Dorset Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly (VCSA) has appointed four new members to its Governance Board. These appointments will strengthen their leadership and deepen their collective impact across Dorset’s voluntary and community sector. The new Board members are Becky Aldridge, Donna Blanche, Emma Lee and Poppy Connell. For more information about the new Board appointees please visit the VCSA website: Dorset VCSA Fortifies Board with Strategic Appointments, Enhancing Expertise and Community Impact | Dorset Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly

Younger person’s survey at Healthwatch Dorset

Do you engage with younger people – if so Healthwatch Dorset would love your help to share information about their younger person’s survey. A poster is attached for information (a higher resolution version is available on request), it would be great if you could display posters/share online.

Kooth – Free mental health support for young people

Kooth offers free, confidential online mental health support for young people with no waiting lists or referral needed. Their clinically approved, BACP-accredited service for young people is commissioned by the Integrated Care Board across Dorset for 10-18 year olds. If you’re a professional working in Dorset with young people or their families and would like to know more about Kooth you can visit their website: https://www.kooth.com/ or contact them:  lfinn@kooth.com

Opportunity to join Dorset Council’s Quality Assurance Reference Group

The Quality Assurance Reference Group meets every other month to share feedback, insights and critiques on all things quality assurance- ranging from the Council’s CQC inspection readiness to their Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) action plan. It's a place for open, round table discussions and over the last two years, the group has helped to shape what quality means from a resident perspective. This is a voluntary role but travel costs are reimbursed and vouchers are given as a way of recognising people's contributions. More information is in the attached poster or contact: adultsengagement@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Dorset's Creative Health strategy

Our friends at the Arts Development Company would like to thank everyone who’s contributed their thoughts to the vision and work-plan for the first creative health strategic priorities. Their next consultation form is now live and they would love your input to it: 2/3 - Implementing Dorset's Creative Health Strategy. The form is live until Monday 2^nd March. They also have a meeting on Wednesday the 25^th February, for more information and to register to attend please click on the following link: Creative Health & Wellbeing Dorset Forum February Meeting · Zoom · Luma

Can you contribute to BCP’s Falls and Frailty mapping survey?

As part of the Falls and Frailty programme our colleagues at BCP Council are asking for help to understand what programmes, classes or groups exist in the BCP Council area that help to prevent falls and frailty in adults as they age. This work is part of the ASC Prevention Strategy implementation in relation to the focus areas of Falls Prevention, Strength and Balance, and Better Physical Health. If you have any information that could help please click on the following link and complete the survey (it says the deadline is 15^th February but this date has been extended): Falls and frailty prevention programmes mapping survey

New guide for professionals supporting bereaved carers is now available

We’re pleased to say our colleagues at Dorset Healthcare have produced a new guide for professionals supporting bereaved carers. The guide was co-produced by professionals from across Dorset’s health and social care system and shaped directly by what carers said they needed. The resource is aimed at helping staff across the whole health, social care and voluntary sector network to feel more confident and better equipped to support carers at a very difficult time. The guide is attached, please share with any relevant people or groups.