Access Dorset are based in Bournemouth and are a great example of the community causes that the McCarthy Stone Foundation looks to support. Their community café provides a hub for older people to meet and socialise, reducing isolation and loneliness, while their Crisis Advocacy Service and Activity programme offer additional services and opportunities for their visitors to gain support and interaction. It is also the home of Bournemouth Older People Forum, and despite the many challenges of the pandemic, they’ve taken their many services online and continue to deliver their work in the community.

Their Horizons Community Café is staffed by young disabled volunteers, who gain valuable vocational skills, while also providing an intergenerational space for customers to interact. With a Trustee Board that reflect the community they serve, we were delighted to award them a grant of £250 to enable activities to continue through lockdown, and we are looking forward to continuing our relationship with them in the future.

Find out more about the work done by Access Dorset at Access Dorset