Help and Kindness

Hello from Help & Kindness. We work alongside people, groups and services across Dorset to help people find support, build stronger connections and make better use of what communities already have. We share what we are learning—and learn from others doing the same.

A lot of change is gradual. Often other people notice first. But what happens when bereavement, illness, retirement or moving home interrupts those witnesses to our lives? Who would notice that things were beginning to change? #CommunityResilience #PlaceBasedWorking: Who Notices When Our Lives…

More than 700 residents in Littlemoor, Broadwey and Upwey shared 3,500 ideas. Now the conversation moves to draft plans and visible follow-through.: What Littlemoor, Broadwey and Upwey want to see next More than 700 residents shared 3,500 ideas for a ten-year neighbourhood plan, with safety,…

Young volunteers in Dorset have asked for clearer breast cancer education in schools, better NHS digital content and useful information in public places.: Young people ask for clearer breast cancer information A youth-led Healthwatch Dorset project found gaps in breast cancer knowledge and set out…

More than 300 Dorset pupils tried hands-on challenges with defence, cyber and security employers. Sometimes a career starts with seeing the work up close.: Young people get a first look inside Dorset’s ‘secret’ careers More than 300 pupils from 21 schools explored defence, cyber and security…

A new Dorset conversation is opening with people ageing without children, beginning with strengths, different life stories and the support people may value.: A new Dorset conversation about ageing without children Dorset Council and Help and Kindness are inviting people ageing without children to…

A calm check now could make the move to digital landlines much easier, especially where a phone line supports a personal alarm, telecare or emergency contact.: Before the landline changes, a gentle check could matter Traditional landlines are moving to digital services. A calm, early check can…

This week's Community Voices looks at the small things that help people move from information to action: a clear next step, a welcoming introduction and visible follow-through.: This week in Dorset: making the next step feel possible A warm look at what Dorset people have been saying about clear…

Café at The Vale Family Hub

Ageing without children in Dorset? We're working with Dorset Council to hear your experiences and ideas to help shape future support. #AWOC

Finding care and support should be straightforward. Dorset Council is reviewing its Guide to Adult Social Care. Is it clear, useful and easy to navigate? Your feedback can help improve it.

... Everything happens in the space between the words I think. We just don't always notice it. When we're rattling along within the noise (including the chatter in our heads) we forget that the words are often just a way to reflect deeper unspoken change and processes which are often unexpressable.

Congratulations to Home-Start Wessex volunteers, recognised as Team of the Year for their support of local families. Interested in volunteering? Email volunteering@homestartwessex.org.uk

Unseen Unheard: a free film screening and conversation about Black women's experiences of breast cancer. Join @DorsetREC and Bournemouth University on 22 October from 3pm at Poole Gateway Building. Registration required.

Dorset Menopause Support is bringing free groups to more communities across Dorset, with new funding, local meetings and opportunities to volunteer. Find out more: https://www.dorsetme...

This mediating and reassuring role is so vital for our communities. We hear again and again from people who are overwhelmed, confused, and often frightened about things that are digital, including things online. Wrapping access to services inside a trusted provider can be the key to digital equity.

What happens between being heard and getting help? From bus journeys to health conversations, we explore what Dorset can learn by connecting the evidence already in its Insights Bank.: What happens between being heard and getting help? How transport, health communication, community learning and…

At four BCP play areas, local ideas are moving into the ground. What can these projects teach us about showing people how their input changed a place?: How children and families are shaping four BCP play spaces Work has begun at four play areas where BCP Council says designs were shaped by…

Pavements, toilets, buses, home adaptations and clear information: older residents are asking Dorset to notice the practical details that support independence.: What older residents are asking Dorset to notice Dorset’s first Age Friendly survey brings together practical requests about getting…

Poole's Disabled Open Gymnastics Competition takes its final bow after more than 25 years — a story of volunteers, returning competitors and belonging.: Poole’s inclusive gymnastics competition takes one final bow The final Poole Disabled Open Gymnastics Competition closes more than 25 years of…

Dorset's new Local Plan is at its earliest stage. Residents can comment on its priorities, evidence and approach to public involvement until 26 October.: Dorset’s new Local Plan starts with an early invitation People in the Dorset Council area can help shape what a new Local Plan covers and how…

BCP's SEND Reform Plan has been approved. Parent carers are asking the practical question that matters most: what will children and families experience differently?: For BCP families, SEND reform will be felt in everyday moments Parent carers in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are asking what…

This week in Community Voices: what happens when listening becomes a clearer next step, a more welcoming place or practical change in everyday life.: This week in Dorset: when listening becomes something people can use A warm weekly look at SEND family experience, ageing well, inclusive play,…

In 2024, we published Be proactive: Evidence supporting proactive care for older people with frailty and Be proactive: Delivering proactive care for older people with frailty. In this video, Dr Deb Gompertz and Dr Anna Folwell reflect on the Proactive care documents. buff.ly/YmsfmQL

Could £3,000 help your community project? Abri Housing is accepting Community Grant applications until 21 October. Contact its Community Development Officer about your proposal and supporting statement.

Could your organisation help more people get around Dorset? Community transport grants are available for projects improving rural connections and access to services. Apply by midnight 20 October.

For us, a referral is only the start. In Dorset, we recognise that people may still need a trusted person, time and encouragement to make the first connection. The practical question is not simply “was someone signposted?” but “were they able to take up the offer?” And it always takes time.

Once again we heard today that communication, local relationships and lived experience are crucial. People want to see a difference from the contributions and feedback they give on services, to build real #LivingIntelligence that drives real improvements. What helps this in your view?

Could help with caring costs make it easier for more people to become local councillors? Weymouth Town Council wants your views on dependant care allowances. The survey closes 19 October.

Early BCP Local Plan feedback asked for clearer local detail and a wider, more inclusive conversation. The next stage is due in November.: BCP residents want a clearer plan — and a wider conversation Early BCP Local Plan feedback asked for more specific local choices and a conversation that…

Dorset's new transport programme is a big promise. Local groups asked it to answer practical questions about rural journeys, healthcare, reliability and support.: What people asked Dorset’s new transport plan to answer Dorset Council has approved a major bus and community-transport programme…

More than 170 people gathered to celebrate Dorset's volunteers — a warm reminder of the many quiet ways people keep community life moving.: A room full of thanks for Dorset’s volunteers More than 170 people gathered to celebrate volunteers across the Dorset Council area, including work to make…

Could a village hall, community centre or local project take its next step? Dorset's Capital Leverage Fund is open until 10 January 2027.: Could a community space in Dorset take its next step? A current Dorset Council fund could help eligible community and cultural organisations improve buildings,…

Feeling safe is about more than crime totals. Dorset's new Community Safety Plan asks what changes when daylight fades and ordinary choices begin to narrow.: What feeling safe after dark means in everyday life Dorset’s new Community Safety Plan shows that recorded crime and the way people feel in…

This week in Community Voices: safer everyday life, community spaces, volunteering, transport and the kind of public conversation that helps people take part.: This week in Dorset: the everyday questions behind bigger decisions A friendly weekly look at safety, community spaces, volunteering,…

Individual Service Funds (ISFs) can be transformational for people who draw on care and support. However, they are not widely available, and the way they are delivered can vary greatly. TLAP has published a report to support local authorities to develop an offer around ISFs. Download it now.

A little time in #nature can go a long way. 🍁 With changing leaves, cooler mornings and #autumn colours all around us, nature has a wonderful way of reminding us to slow down, take notice and appreciate the little things. 🍂 #WorldMentalHealthDay

This #WorldMentalHealthDay is about turning lived experience into meaningful change. Libraries listen and respond to local needs. From reading and social activities to welcoming spaces, evidence shows they can support mental health and wellbeing. Read more: buff.ly/S4fKDDk

There is such quiet power for change in what you describe and what you do in this generous education. The nurturing of the trees is match by your nurturing of people and places.

We believe communities are full of knowledge, relationships and practical capacity. Our role is to help make more of that visible and connected—so people can find help, give help and work together. Follow for field notes, useful evidence and honest conversations about place-based change.

Have you supported someone affected by cancer? Wessex Cancer Alliance wants to hear from unpaid carers, family and friends. Your experiences can help improve support for others. Complete the Cancer Carers Survey by 31 October 2026: https://www.surveymo... #CancerCarers #Dorset…

Deaf BSL users and registered sign language interpreters are invited to share their experiences of CBT for Teesside University research. Confidential interviews, with a £25 thank-you voucher. Find out more: https://forms.cloud....

Everyday communication, local relationships, and lived experience are crucial. Support is often seen as a collection of separate services, while trusted community organisations see the whole picture. We're interested in what helps places turn knowledge into relationships and action.

Every pound of public money we spend has two jobs: It buys a service, but it also creates social, economic and environmental value. That’s what our Head of Scotland Naomi Mason told the Scottish Government’s Public Service Reform Committee earlier today.

Had a delayed or difficult hospital discharge in the last 12 months, or supported someone who did? Share your experience with Healthwatch. The survey takes 10-15 minutes and closes today, 9 October: https://www.smartsur...