Lynita Harris  Operations Manager Volunteer Centre Dorset

I am writing to let you know about a number of programmes and projects that we are working on which may be helpful to local residents:

CHRISTMAS

We have lots of things happening this Christmas to support people right across Dorset.

Receive a hot Christmas meal

This Christmas we want to try to ensure that Dorset’s elderly residents who live alone are offered the option to receive a hot meal or go out into the community. We have an army of volunteers who have offered to prepare and deliver a meal on Christmas Day. We are also hoping to signpost and offer transport for people to attend Christmas meals in the community. If you are aware of any Christmas Day meals that are happening – please let us know.

If you know someone who would like any Christmas Day meal options or support, please register their details and preferences using this form.

Christmas gifts for Ukrainian Refugees

We are asking people and companies to donate either gifts or money towards individual gifts or items for a hamper. Once collated, these gifts and hampers will then be delivered to Dorset’s Ukrainian refugees in the days leading up to Christmas. There are donation points across Dorset although we still need more. If you notice there is not a donation point in your area, and you can support by offering a drop off point, please get in touch. Complete details about recommended gift items, and drop off points are in the attached poster and on this link.

Volunteer at Christmas

We have already had quite a few people come forward offering their help both in the week leading up to Christmas, and on Christmas Day itself. If you, or anyone you know would like to volunteer, they can register here.

Christmas Disco

On Friday, 9^th December, we are hosting a Christmas Disco for anyone aged 16+ with a learning disability, their family and carers. There is no cost to attend – people just need to rsvp to communitycredits@volunteeringdorset.org.uk. It might be possibly for us to assist with transport with enough advance notice. Further details are in the attached poster.

GARDENING & PRACTICAL SUPPORT

We have a community gardening team working across Dorset who can provide one-off, short-term, or long-term help for elderly or disabled people. We can support with gardening, odd jobs, furniture moving/removal, and waste removal. This service is for people who cannot do these jobs themselves, and have no family or friends to support. In some cases, we may be able to help people engage a commercial service for long-term help. To make a referral please use this link to Dorset’s Community Response. Details are in the poster attached.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT AT HOME

Through our Dorset Community Response partnership, we are able to offer a range of volunteer-led support, including for shopping, collecting prescriptions, pet care, meal preparation, welfare checks and more. We offer light-touch, short-term support for people who are in need for example, they are elderly, disabled, home-from-hospital, living alone, have had a sudden health decline, or have had a change in their carer situation. To make a referral for any kind of help, please use this link to Dorset’s Community Response.

KEEPING UP TO DATE

I hope that the information that we have included here is useful to you. If you would like to keep up-to-date with all of our good work, please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/VCDorset or get in touch and we will make sure that you receive our weekly newsletters.

If you have any questions about any of the above, or anything community or volunteering, please do get in touch.

Office:   01305 269214
Mobile: 07919 288675