Better facilities for disabled bowlers and safe places for those in need are among the many worthwhile causes helped by £50k of community funding. 

Community groups in Weymouth have benefitted from £50,000 of funding over the last year.

Weymouth Town Council has awarded the money to a number of  community, voluntary and charitable organisations for various projects improving the lives of Weymouth residents. 

The long list of those that have been given a boost by the funding includes Weymouth & Melcombe Regis Bowls Club, where a £1,650 grant enabled refurbishments to be carried out to its disabled toilet facility including improving the décor, providing a new low level hand basin with taps, new toilet rails and a new accessible warm water heater.

Refresh and Westham Community Group combined were given £5,000 towards their Warm Welcome scheme, providing safe places to access for those in need or experiencing homelessness.

Now groups are being invited to apply for another round of funding to help pay towards the cost of new projects, equipment, events, or training over the coming year. 

Cllr Gill Taylor, Weymouth Town Council’s Community Champion, said of the grant: “The £5,000 grant provided the opportunity for both communities to come together to provide a warm welcome for those in need during the winter season.

"If you’re a community group and needing some extra help with funding, I encourage you to apply for a grant from Weymouth Town Council. It’s an easy process to follow, and you will receive help and guidance on how to apply.”

Two types of grants are available from Weymouth Town Council: either £250 and under or £250 and over.

Larger grant applications will go to the town council’s Finance and Governance Committee for a decision and the next meeting is on Wednesday, April 26.

Community groups that would like to be considered for a grant of more than £250 should apply no later than two weeks before the committee meeting date. 

Organisations that have benefitted from grant funding in the past year include:  

  • Weymouth Rowing Club  
  • Bus Shelter Dorset  
  • Weymouth & Melcombe Regis Bowls Club 
  • SPARK  
  • Weymouth Basketball Club  
  • Life Education Wessex and Thames Valley  
  • Weymouth Museum Trust  
  • Citizens Advice Central Dorset   
  • STEPS Club for Young People  
  • Wyke Regis Christmas Fayre  
  • Refresh   
  • Westham Community Group  
  • Ridgeway Community Radio CIC (Trading as Keep 106)  
  • Friends of Weymouth Peace Garden (pictured above)
  • Dorset Council – Health & Activity Team  
  • Chesil Sailability  
  • Weymouth East Scout Group  
  • Nothe Fort  
  • The Nest  
  • The Lantern Trust 
  • Weymouth Area Development Trust 

To see if your group is eligible to benefit from a grant, visit the website www.weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk