COMMUNITY projects can apply for grants from a £85,000 fund run by Dorset County Council.

The aim of the new Community Innovation Fund is to support innovative new projects in the area which support people to be safe, health and independent through applications for grants of up to £10,000.

One project which has been helped by the fund is The Water Lily Project, based in Christchurch, which was able to recruit a community development worker to help vulnerable women who have experienced domestic abuse.

Cllr Rebecca Knox, Dorset County Council’s cabinet member for health, wellbeing and communities, said that seven projects had already benefitted from the Community Innovation Fund.

She added: "We’re delighted with the response to the first round of grant allocations and it’s great that we can offer the same opportunity to more local communities.

“The process is simple, but whoever applies needs to make sure it’s those who are most in need who will benefit from the initiative."

Application forms can be downloaded by going to Dorsetforyou.gov.uk/dorset-community-innovation-fund or call Laura Cornette, grants monitoring officer for the council on 01305 224306.