About us

We’re a charity that exists to support charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises across the Dorset community. Our mission is to bring people together to develop community based solutions that deliver better services for the benefit of all. We support new and established groups and projects though 1:1 advice, tailored consultancy and group-based training to enable them to be successful and financially sustainable. We also facilitate networking and peer support through our events, promote VCSE sector/funding news and invite collaboration between the VCSE sector and Statutory bodies, partners and stakeholders.

Our principles

• Local need at the heart of Community Action – providing services where a local need is clearly identified
• Inclusion of those most disadvantaged – actively encouraging and involving people and groups who are most often excluded
• Empowerment of local people and groups – to develop their own solutions to the challenges they face
• Independence to challenge for good – enabling advocacy on behalf of local people and groups
• Partnership as a positive way forward – collaborating with local people, groups, and stakeholders to find the best local solutions

We’re a member of Action with Rural Communities in England (ACRE) and as part of the ACRE network we support local rural communities in Dorset. DCA is funded by and works in partnership with the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Dorset Council and other statutory and grant-making bodies.