Lidl Dorset Gillingham

We are an independent charity working for the benefit of those vulnerable and at risk within our community. Our aim is to provide a safe haven for those who need it, with an opportunity to learn new skills, the chance to work and become part of a team, and even to progress into paid employment if this is what the individual wishes. We operate from a premises in Shaftesbury, called Hope Projects. Most of our service users are identified to us through the local mental health team or other things like social services. Since beginning years ago as a Drop-In for others to come and socialize, we have expanded to include a wide range of projects to help people get out and about, learn new skills, and enjoy themselves. Whether your interests lie in cooking, gardening, and bike mechanics we have something for everyone. And we're still expanding! We identify our services use through the local mental health teams as well as things like social services. We do charge for our services however each service is individually priced to fit the job or need. Our steadfast founder Eileen and her diligent staff are always looking for funding for new projects, as well as ideas to fund the current projects. We were fortunate to be awarded a substantial grant from the Big Lottery Fund which has allowed us to set up gardening and cooking enterprises, as well as giving the Charity a formal office. The local health authority was helpful in obtaining funding for a cycle repair enterprise which has seen great success. We have also had a interview with the local Alfred news and local magazine to allow the local people to here and see what we do at hope. However, we are always on the lookout for extra funding sources and gratefully accept donations - whether it’s monetary or a bike that's been out-grown. We especially welcome anyone willing to give their time to volunteer. We currently get food donations from Lidl , Aldi and Waitrose. Anyone interested in donating to, or volunteering with any of these projects should contact the office on 01747 851397

Open House has existed as an organisation since 2015 and gained Charitable status in 2019. Open House runs many different services , one of which is Open Fridge, our community fridge, which opened in the spring 2021. It's about reducing food waste as well as making free food available to anyone who wants it. Not only is there a fridge but we also have a freezer and shelving, all encompassed in a shipping container and accessible to all. Open Fridge opens 4 days a week, over 6 sessions and has a team of 20 volunteers that ensure the service runs smoothly. The Fridge relies on donations from the public , allotment produce and supermarket donations. Each month on average we re-distribute approximately 1500kg of food and have around 500 visits from the public. Open House also provides a drop in centre on a Tuesday. Here we have a range of services including trained Benefit and Housing advisors, local food bank parcels , other Emergency aid such as gas/electric top up and cleaning/ toiletry packs. Our Support Service team helps clients write CV's , letters and charity applications and much more. Store House is our preloved furniture project. A small group of volunteers and a white van will pick up and drop off any house hold items from Fridge Freezers to pots and pans, anything you need to furnish a house . All these services are free to clients from Shaftesbury and the surrounding area, that fulfill the criteria set out by the charity. To keep the charity going OpenHouse relies on the generosity of local people and grant applications. There are about 30 volunteers for Open House and around 20 for Open Fridge. Most volunteers have links with the Churches in Shaftesbury and the charity has close links with 'Churches Together' - Shaftesbury. We also have many volunteers from the community. Volunteers may come along every week, fortnightly or just once a month. Open House is well connected with other organisations in the town, charities and the town council.

I work for a Domestic Abuse Charity. We have 3 refuges and numerous clients, across the whole of Dorset. A lot of our clients come to refuge with nothing and we try to provide them with a food parcel. Also, many of our outreach client's use food banks and struggle financially when they have left their abuser.