Community workers in North Dorset win national award (From Bournemouth Echo)

Community workers in North Dorset win national award

7:24am Saturday 6th February 2010 in

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North Dorset’s community partnerships have been voted the best in the country.

Community workers from Blandford, Gillingham, Sturminster Newton, and Shaftesbury, received the top award of Best Community Partnership in the UK at a ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House hotel.

The four partnerships – one in each of the district’s main market towns – have delivered 128 projects in the last five years, winning some £15 million of funding for the district.

Mark Hebditch, chairman of the Community Partnership Executive for North Dorset, said:

“We are so proud to receive this award on behalf of the many volunteers and community workers across North Dorset who work so hard for the benefit of their communities.

“This award is confirmation of the very high calibre of contribution made by so many extraordinarily dedicated people.”

Sturminster Newton’s £2.6 million Exchange arts centre and Gillingham’s new £6m Riversmeet leisure centre have been the partnerships’ biggest projects.

Blandford hosts the DT11 Forum, Gillingham has the Three Rivers Partnership, Shaftesbury has the Shaftesbury Taskforce and Sturminster Newton houses SturQuest in the Exchange.

The partnerships work closely with the district, town, and parish councils, and with countywide partnerships.

Cllr Peter Webb, the leader of North Dorset District Council, said the award vindicated the council’s emphasis on partnership working.

“Wow! Winning a national award for the best Community Partnership, ahead of all the thousands across the UK, feels very special indeed.

“The substantial credit for the delivery of the many dozens of successful local projects implemented in recent years should go to the Community Partnerships themselves and their volunteers."