Good causes in Purbeck including The Swanage School and The Mowlem, have received a boost to their funds after a Dorset grant-making charity distributed thousands of pounds aimed at strengthening community resilience and promoting inclusion.
The Talbot Village Trust awarded £332,230 to 37 organisations across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, and East Dorset in its spring 2026 funding round, with Purbeck getting a share of the pot too.
The Mowlem in Swanage received a grant of more than £10,000 towards making the stage more accessible for those with reduced mobility
Capital grants for projects over £10,000
Its Capital Grants Programme supports capital projects over £10,000 and is designed to fund meaningful, long term investments in facilities, buildings, and equipment, while the Small Grants Programme offers grants of up to £5,000 to grassroots and small local organisations.
One of the Capital Grants awarded was £75,000 to Shaftesbury towards the refurbishment of Talbot Manor, a care home for adults with complex health needs.
A further £16,000 was awarded to Poole Waste Not Want Not towards the refit of its new, larger premises, including the creation of a fully equipped kitchen for the coffee shop and workshop activities.
The Mowlem’s executive director Kate McGregor was pleased to hear the application had been successful
“A real difference to accessibility for performers”
Swanage‘s arts hub The Mowlem received £10,400 towards a new accessible lift so wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility can get easily and safely from the dressing rooms onto the stage in the main auditorium, allowing those performers to move safely and independently throughout the building.
The Mowlem’s executive director Kate McGregor said:
“We are delighted to receive this transformational support from the Talbot Village Trust, which will make a real difference to accessibility for performers using the theatre.”
Grants and operations officer for the Talbot Village Trust Kasia Bigda visiting the Focus Centre in Swanage, which has received a grant of £9,000 towards improving the outside space
Small grants for projects up to £5,000
Some of those receiving Small Grants included Swanage and Purbeck Development Trust which has received £9,000 towards the creation of a garden at the Focus Centre – an accessible green space designed to integrate the site and enhance local wellbeing.
The Swanage School was awarded £8,250 towards a wellbeing garden room, creating an outdoor wellness space for students aged 11 to 16 years.
It aims to offer a calm environment to improve mood and mental clarity, reduce feelings of anxiety and tension, increase engagement with school, support better focus in lessons later in the day, and encourage better school attendance.
The wildlife area at The Swanage School is to get a wellbeing garden room
Money doesn’t grow on trees but Planet Purbeck and Trees for Dorset can use the grant for woodland education sessions
“The grant will make a meaningful difference”
Planet Purbeck received £4,840 to deliver hands-on school-based woodland education sessions in partnership with Trees for Dorset
Luke M Luke from Planet Purbeck said:
“Thanks again to Talbot Village Trust for supporting this work. We’re really delighted – the grant will make a meaningful difference – helping more children in Purbeck connect with and learn more about trees, woodlands, nature, climate-friendly living and each other.”
And Lytchett Riding for the Disabled Association was awarded £2,626 towards a replacement storage facility to allow the expansion of equine therapy activities.
Christina Freeman from Lytchett Riding for the Disabled Association said:
“Our super new container is now on site! It is a great improvement on our previous facility and a tremendous asset. Our sincere thanks to everyone at the Talbot Village Trust for its very generous support.”
Lytchett Riding for the Disabled Association draws students from across the region, giving them the opportunity to do something different
The money was spent on essential storage
Purbeck grants spring 2026
- The Mowlem Institute: £10,400 towards a new accessible lift, improving accessibility to the stage and ensuring performers and staff with mobility needs can move safely and independently.
- Swanage and Purbeck Development Trust: £9,000 towards the creation of a garden at the Focus Centre – an accessible green space designed to integrate the site and enhance local wellbeing
- Education Swanage for The Swanage School: £8,250 towards a wellbeing garden room, creating an outdoor wellness space for students aged 11 to 16 years
- The Lynn Crabb Wareham foodbank at the Purbeck Gateway Church: £5,000 towards the costs of operating the foodbank in Wareham
- Cultural Purbeck: £5,000 towards core costs to support the delivery of workshops, events, and projects engaging local communities across Purbeck
- Planet Purbeck: £4,840 to deliver hands-on school-based woodland education sessions in partnership with Trees for Dorset
- Saxon Explorer Scout Unit in Wareham: £3,000 towards purchase of new tents
- Lytchett Riding for the Disabled Association: £2,626 towards replacement storage facility to allow expansion of equine therapy activities
- Purbeck Art Weeks Festival: £2,500 towards Purbeck young artists programme and community creativity sessions
The recently formed arts organisation Cultural Purbeck, spearheaded an application for the UK Town of Culture 2028 based on feedback from workshops
“Providing opportunities for people of all ages across Purbeck”
Talbot Village Trust director of giving Caroline Cooban said:
“Talbot Village Trust is pleased to support a wide range of community and charitable organisations across Purbeck through our spring 2026 grant programmes.
“This round of funding reflects our continued commitment to strengthening local communities by investing in projects that improve wellbeing, accessibility, education, cultural engagement, and community resilience.
“The supported initiatives include a mix of capital improvements, community facilities, youth and education projects, outdoor learning spaces, cultural and creative programmes, and essential local services.
“Together, these projects demonstrate the vital role local organisations play in enhancing quality of life and providing opportunities for people of all ages across Purbeck.
“We are proud to support these organisations and look forward to seeing the positive difference their work will make in communities across the area.”
Plenty of colour during Purbeck Art Weeks 2026
Applications open for autumn 2026
The Talbot Village Trust is currently welcoming applications for the Capital Grants autumn 2026 programme.
The deadline to apply is Sunday 28th June 2026 at 11.59 pm with funding decisions expected by the end of November 2026.
The charity says early submissions are encouraged and applicants are welcome to contact the Talbot Village Trust with any questions or to seek further guidance ahead of the deadline.
Further information
- More about applying for a grant is on the Talbot Village Trust website
