GOOD causes in Dorset have shared a pot of £3.3million from the Big Lottery Fund.

More than 70 community projects across the South West received a share of the National Lottery funding.

Future Roots, based in Dorchester, received £9,700, to help them create a cabin at their Whitfield Forest School site.

The aim is to improve the environment at the site and enable young people with disabilities and special educational needs to access forest school sessions in all weather conditions.

Weymouth-based group Changing Horizons have received £9,670, to help with their Plasters for the Mind project. The group will use the funding to train outdoor activity instructors in how to support young people with mental ill health. This will allow more people to take part in outdoor activities safely to increase overall health and well being.

Lyn Cole, Big Lottery Fund, England Grant Making Director, said: “It’s really great to see these projects making a positive difference to people’s lives, whether through supporting parents affected by perinatal mental illness or refurbishing the village hall at the heart of the community. These projects are all strong examples of empowering people facing a range of challenges to play an active role in their community.”

The awards were made through the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All and Reaching Communities programmes.