Expert Consultancy & Bespoke Training for VCSE Organisations
Helping Charities, Social Enterprises & Community Groups to Thrive
At Dorset Community Action, we provide tailored consultancy, training, mentoring and community research services to help VCSE organisations navigate challenges, grow sustainably, and achieve lasting impact.
Whether you’re starting a new project, seeking funding, improving governance, or looking to understand your community better, our expert team can help.
We work with:
- A range of local voluntary and community groups.
- Local and national charities
- Community interest companies (CICs)
- Faith-based and volunteer-led groups
- Health partnerships and ICSs
- Local authorities & funders seeking deeper engagement
If you’re a grassroots group with a great idea or an established organisation facing a complex challenge, our door is open.
Supported Employment
DCA GreenCare: Transforming Gardens, Transforming Lives
Why Choose Dorset Community Action?
We understand the unique challenges that come with leading and managing in the voluntary sector. Our team combines hands-on experience, practical tools, and sector-wide insight to help your organisation grow with purpose.
- Embedded in the VCSE Sector – We know the landscape and speak your language.
- Community-First Approach – We amplify local voices and design services around your needs.
- Ethical, Inclusive & Impact-Led – Everything we do is underpinned by integrity and co-production.
Unlike commercial consultants, we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Every piece of advice, every training, every report—we make it count for you.
What We Offer:
1:1 Help & Advice Sessions
We can answer your one-off questions with a meeting 45 minute online followed by an email summary with resources, templates, and signposting. Ideal for questions on topics such as policies, income generation or governance.
£52 + VAT (Members) / £65 + VAT (Non-members)
Consultancy tailored to whatever you need.
This might include hands on practical help with any task you need. Great for writing volunteer training, creating impact reports, project design or implementation.
£52 + VAT per hour (Members) / £65 + VAT per hour (Non-members)
Mentoring for Leaders & Trustees
A confidential, developmental space with an experienced mentor, designed for Chief Officers, Chairs, or emerging leaders. Six one-hour sessions and 3 hours support costing:
£468 + VAT (Members) / £585 + VAT (Non-members)
Away Day Design & Facilitation
External support to make your planning sessions count. Great for: Strategic planning, board development, income generation planning and team-building.
Prices from £350 + VAT for a half day
Community led Research
We deliver impactful, inclusive, and accessible research for VCSEs and public service providers. Our expertise includes: Health inequalities, community needs and local services mapping. Our approach is: Co-designed with stakeholders, Accessible and ethical, Inclusive of lived experience, Action-focused. We offer full-service research or analysis-only support—scalable to your needs and budget.
Please contact us to discuss your needs and for a no obligation quote.
Social Value Analysis
Dorset Community Action is part of a national pilot developing good social value practice using the Social Value Engine, to enable organisations to calculate the social value they create:
- Assist your organisation to develop your Theory of Change
- Reviewing the data you are collecting, and help identify gaps that may exist in your data collection systems
- Calculate the Social Value of the projects or services that your organisation delivers.
Initial organisational research, client meeting, and drafting of Theory Of Change (TOC)
£215 + VAT (Members) / £269 + VAT (Non-members)
TRAINING:
Our most popular courses are delivered with material tailored for your organisation.
Available topics include:
Becoming a CIO – 60-minute session including action planning for up to six people, £114 (Members) / £162 (Non-members)
Masterclass: researching and choosing funders – 90-minute session for up to six people, £159 (Members) / £227 (Non-members)
Safeguarding awareness (level 1) – 3 hour session, £205 (Members) / £292 (Non-members)
Writing a business plan (6 x1-hour sessions over six months) delivered online for up to six people, £273 (Members) / £390 (Non-members)
Bespoke Training & Workshops: tailored training for your team or board on topics including planning, raising money, funding readiness, policy writing, safeguarding. Delivered online or in-person. Prices for a two-hour session: £204 (Members) / £292 (Non-members)
Please note: Prices shown are exclusive of VAT.
Clarity & Confidence
Whether you're a new community group or a long-established charity, our consultancy helps you cut through the noise. Get clear, actionable advice that gives you confidence to take your next step.
Practical Solutions
We don’t just identify problems—we help solve them. From governance and legal structures to funding and staffing challenges, our advisors provide hands-on support tailored to your context.
A Trusted Critical Friend
Our team provides honest, constructive feedback in a supportive, non-judgmental way. We offer a fresh perspective rooted in VCSE sector experience and community values.
We work with all sizes of VCSEs, statutory services, funders, NHS trusts and local authorities.
No. While we’re rooted in Dorset, we work across the South West and nationally depending on the project.
Absolutely. Whether you’re still forming your group or pivoting your strategy, we’ll help you find the right next step.
Yes, we follow rigorous best practices in data protection, safeguarding and ethical community engagement.
No, though DCA members do receive discounted rates and extra funding bulletins. Learn more about joining as a DCA member here.
Common Concerns:
“We don’t have much budget.”
We offer modular, affordable packages and can help you design projects that match your resources, or even help find funding.
“Our community is hard to reach.”
That’s our strength. We’re known for reaching underrepresented groups with culturally appropriate methods.
“We don’t really know what we need.”
That’s okay! Start with a one-off consultancy session and we’ll help clarify your needs and options.
“We’ve already done some work – we just need analysis.”
No problem. We can support you with data interpretation, presentation and strategic recommendations.
- Embedded in the VCSE Sector – We know the landscape and speak your language.
- Community-First Approach – We amplify local voices and design services around your needs.
- Ethical, Inclusive & Impact-Led – Everything we do is underpinned by integrity and co-production.
Unlike commercial consultants, we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Every piece of advice, every training, every report—we make it count for you.
Trusted by Communities & Funders
We are a member of the ACRE network (Action with Communities in Rural England), working alongside 38 other county-based VCSE support agencies across the country.
Recent Partners include:
Dorset ICS
Public Health Dorset
Local NHS Trusts
Regional grant funders
Ready to Get Started?
Contact Caro Hart:
📧 caro.hart@dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk
📞 Phone: 07827 996905
Let’s talk about how we can help your organisation grow stronger, more confident and more impactful.
Sign up to our newsletter for funding alerts, free resources, and upcoming training sessions.
Not sure what you need? Use our Quick Help Form and we’ll get back to you promptly.