Charity seeks support to help those in financial hardship in Dorset

Poverty charity Turn2us (formerly Elizabeth Finn Care) is calling for people in Dorset to help those who are struggling financially in the county. The charity, which gave thousands of pounds to those in financial hardship in Dorset last year, is inviting people to support its work in the county as it aims to provide £50,000 in direct assistance to approximately 60 individuals and families in Dorset over the next year. It says that people and organisations can donate funds to directly help people in financial hardship in Dorset.

Turn2us is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year and it has awarded over £155 million in grants to people in financial hardship since 1897. The Turn2us Dorset County Committee has been helping to alleviate poverty in the county for over ten years and has had considerable success at raising funds to help people in Dorset through events such as a Christmas Carol concert and very generous donations from The Valentine Trust and The Alice Ellen Cooper Dean Charitable Foundation that has allowed Turn2us to distribute grants from its Elizabeth Finn Fund to beneficiaries throughout Dorset.

The grants in Dorset are for many different needs – every person helped receives an individual package of support, based on a thoughtful assessment of their circumstances and how a grant can improve their lives. Typical grants include help with transport or fuel costs, household repairs and replacing worn out but essential household items like cookers and fridges, and specific requests to meet the mobility and communication needs of people with health problems or disabilities to improve their security, independence and long-term wellbeing.  This grant-making in Dorset is supported by trained volunteers who provide personalised assessments of applicants’ needs through home visits.

Inviting more people to support the charity’s work in Dorset, Jamie Joicey-Cecil, Chair of the Dorset County Committee, said:

“Financial hardship has a significant impact on health and wellbeing and it is crucial that we do as much as we can to help those in Dorset who are struggling to make ends meet. Whatever help you can give will go a long way to assisting those who are in poverty in Dorset.”

Turn2us has County Committees across the country and every County Committee organises itself differently. If you would like to support the Turn2us Dorset County Committee, please contact Jamie Joicey-Cecil at fundraising@turn2us.org.uk