M&S Blandford Forum

The Vale Family Hub started as the Vale Pantry back in 2020. Working with the most disadvantaged families, providing a wide range of affordable food was simply where work started. Our real mission has always been to uncover the underlying issues behind food poverty and work to heal each household find the right help and support and get them to a better place in life. In 2023, we took the bold decision to expand, find larger premises, and operate a Family Hub in order to provide a wider range of hands-on services. In March 2025, our Vale Family Hub opened. It encompasses our Pantry, but also offers soft play, a Cafe, and the space to sit down with families and really help in so many ways. We now offer over 30 activities and sources of help from Debt & Welfare, Early Help, Parenting Support, Toddler Play Activities, SEND Support, Domestic Abuse Support, Substance Misuse, Budgeting, Cookery Education and so much more. The Hub is a happy thriving, warm and welcoming space where people come together, problems can be solved, help is always at hand. Open 6 days a week.

Nourish Community Larder and Foodbank provides support to those living in Blandford and everyone living within the postcode area of DT11. Nourish is about much more than just food – we also provide practical, relational and spiritual support. Our relaxed café area creates a safe space to meet new people, enjoy free hot drinks and snacks, and chat with other agencies for advice and support. Our dedicated CMA team are also based at Nourish to provide free debt advice and budget support – find out more below.

The Bus Shelter Dorset was established in December 2016, gaining charity status from March 2017. After a number of months fundraising we converted a double decker bus in to safe sleeping accommodation for rough sleepers in Dorset, based in Weymouth. We believe that everyone has a right to a safe, warm place to call home whilst they receive non-judgemental and unconditional support and advice to address their problems and, when ready, move on into semi-dependent living and ultimately move on to independent living and employment. Our charity has evolved from our very humble beginnings and we now have a new site and 12 self contained units of accommodation for our guests along with a large communal kitchen, dining and lounge area, learning room and laundry facilities. We offer rough sleepers or those at risk of homelessness access to a supportive community environment with 24 hour high support tailored to meet their individual needs. The support we offer is unique and we have created a family environment where it is not judgmental and second chances are always offered. We want people to leave our service and not have to return through the revolving door of homelessness and will support individuals to access the appropriate move on accommodation when they are ready to do so. The support we offer: Development of daily living skills, emotional support and self-esteem building, referrals to other services and complimenting their support, support with benefit claims, support with budgeting and maximising income, support attending appointments, support to court hearings, assessment of individual needs, individual support plans led by client, allocated keyworker and regular 1-1 sessions, Trauma Informed support, preparation for tenancy readiness and tenancy sustainability, SMART recovery, Partnership working - Housing, Outreach services & Housing Associations, Probation/Prisons, Police, Health – GP, Dentist, Opticians, CMHT, Debt services, Drug and Alcohol agencies, Adult Social Care, Domestic Abuse Services, Low service charge – includes all meals, Somewhere safe to call home, a sense of belonging and purpose that continues throughout the journey of our services.