Local Services

What we do

DCA is committed to working with communities to ensure that they have a greater say in what their needs and priorities are.

One way we do this is by employing local Community Workers who work in a particular geographical area supporting communities to identify and meet their needs. They also support and advise community and voluntary groups. Dorset Community Action has Community Workers in East Dorset, North Dorset, parts of West Dorset and Purbeck.

DCA provides help and assistance to communities undertaking parish/neighbourhood plans. These plans are carried out by the community for the community. There are grants available from the Dorset Strategic Partnership.

DCA also provides help and assistance to communities wanting to improve their local services and facilities. We have many years experience of supporting village retail particularly village shops and post offices.

We want communities to celebrate how vibrant, inclusive and active they are. An important celebration of this is the Village of the Year competition.

DCA recognises that not all communities in Dorset are welcomed or included, and some face a lot of discrimination. One such group in Dorset is Gypsies and Travellers. Dorset Community Action contributes time and energy into meeting their needs.