Regular and Upcoming Events within our Community Centre and across Dorset
Upcoming Sessions:
Funding Surgeries
Dates/Times: One per month, various time slots
Where: Online via Microsoft Teams
Cost: Free to DCA Members, £30 otherwise.
Upcoming Dates (click date to book your chosen time slot:
Self-Care and Wellbeing Course (12 sessions)
Date: Starts Wednesday 15th April
Time: 10am to 12pm
Where: Parkstone United Reformed Church, Commercial Road, Poole, BH14 0JW
Cost: Free
Partnering with Poole Community Exchange, this 12 session course will help with wellbeing, mindfulness and becoming healthy and happy for the new year.
Sessions will include:
- Guided Meditation
- Mindfulness Activities
- Healthy Eating
- 5 Pathways to Wellbeing
- Nature Connection
Contact Lydia to book here.
Managing the Money for Trustees
Date: Wednesday 22nd July
Time:9.30am – 11.30am
Where: Online via Microsoft Teams
Cost: Price: £60 (£48 for DCA Members)
This workshop looks at the legal responsibilities trustees have to manage the assets of the organisation and the skills they need. It looks at what can go wrong and what to do about it.
End of project reporting; How to sell the difference you’ve made
Training Offer Collaboration between Volunteer Centre Dorset and DCA
Four online courses to help with Funding, various dates for each and further information to be found within the drop downs for each course offer below.
Funding 1: Income Sustainability & Diversity
Next date is Weds. 12th August 2026: 10am-12pm.
Funding 2: Identifying the Ask, Analysing the Need Next date is Tuesday 9th June, 2pm-3pm
Funding 3: Writing a Grant Bid Next date is Tuesday 30th June, 1pm-2pm
Funding 4: Being Funding Ready Next date is Thursday 16th July, 10am-12pm
Funding 1: Income Sustainability & Diversity
This online session will help community groups and small charities reduce reliance on grants by developing a broader, more resilient mix of income sources.
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
• Understand why grant dependency is risky for long-term sustainability
• Identify sustainable income types suitable for your organisation
• Assess their current income mix and identify gaps
• Explore practical ways to diversify income (community fundraising, trading, partnerships, contracts, donations)
• Begin developing a realistic plan to strengthen financial resilience
Who should attend?
VCS leaders or trustees responsible for the financial stability and resilience of their group or organisation.
Dates and booking:
Funding 2: Identifying the Ask, Analysisng the Need
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Clarify their project idea and define a clear, fundable “ask”
• Identify the difference between organisational need and community need
• Gather and present relevant evidence (quantitative & qualitative)
• Understand what funders mean by “need” and “impact”
• Strengthen their case for support through better analysis
Who should attend?
These training sessions are ideal for anyone involved in securing, managing, or supporting funding within community groups, charities, and voluntary organisations.
Dates and booking:
Tuesday 9th June 2026: 2pm-3pm
Thursday 8th October 2026: 10am-11am
Funding 3: Writing a Grant Bid
To equip participants with the skills to write clear, persuasive, and funder-focused grant applications.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Understand what funders are looking for in a strong application
• Use clear and concise language to answer funder questions
• Structure a simple but effective case for support
• Describe outcomes and impact convincingly
• Avoid common bid-writing mistakes
Who should attend?
These training sessions are ideal for anyone involved in securing, managing, or supporting funding within community groups, charities and voluntary organisations.
Dates and booking:
Tuesday 30th June 2026: 1pm-2pm
Thursday 22nd October 2026: 2pm-3pm
Funding 4: Being Funding Ready
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
• Understand what funders expect before they consider a bid
• Check whether their organisation meets minimum governance & compliance standards
• Strengthen key internal documents: policies, plans, budgets, safeguarding
• Demonstrate good financial management and organisational stability
• Ensure their funding idea aligns with their mission, capacity, and community needs
• Create a simple action plan to improve your funding readiness
Who should attend?
These training sessions are ideal for anyone involved in securing, managing, or supporting funding within community groups, charities and voluntary organisations.
Dates and booking:
Online
Wednesday 25th November 2026: 10am-12pm
In person
Thursday 16th July 2026: 10am-12pm (Venue TBC)
Regular Community Sessions held in the Wimborne Community Centre:
Click here to see more from our Community Centre on facebook and keep up to date with the regular Monthly Artisan Markets!
Use the drop downs for the days of the week for regular Events within our Community Centre:
Pilates with Rona
9:00, 10:15, 17:00, 18:10, 19:15
(Term Time Only)
Santander Bank
9:30-16:30
(Every Week)
Simply call in at the Reception of our Community Centre for info.
Slimming World
7:30, 9:00, 10:30, 16:00, 17:30, 19:00
Wimborne Creatives Art Group
9:30-12:30
(Term time only)
Wimborne Writing Group
9:00-12:30 (Monthly)
Wimborne Kurling Club
9:30-12:30
U3A Art Group
13:15-15:15
(Term Time Only)
Dorset Blind Association
9:30-12:30
(Monthly)
Axis Run Fit
19:30 – 20:30
Thursday Little Buds Post Natal Group
10:00 – 12:00
(Term time only)
BCHA – Access Wellbeing
10:00 – 16:00
Friday Singing Mamas
9:30 – 11:30
10:00-15:00 (Monthly)
Monthly
Date: Fresh dates coming soon for 2026
Time: 10am – 3pm
Cost: Free
Where: Wimborne Community Centre (click here for facebook)
Best parking is the King Street car park next to the Minster.
Click here to see more regarding our Artisan Makers Markets and more from our Community Centre on facebook.
Centre Opening Times Monday – Friday 8.30am – 17.00pm. Plus other adhoc times by agreement – evenings & weekends.
Contact Jayne at our Community Centre to find out more through 01202 847600 or roomhire@dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk.
Click here to see more from our Community Centre on facebook!