As part of Macmillan Cancer Support’s Neighbourhood Transformation Fund – a new way of investing that focusses on working together to shape the care and support people need in local communities – Macmillan Cancer Support and Dorset VCSA (Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly) are working together to launch the pan-Dorset Anchor Programme; a three-year investment to strengthen the voluntary and community sector’s role in improving health and care across Dorset.
Over the next three years, £500,000 will be invested into the sector. This funding will:
- Provide small grants to tackle health inequalities
- Strengthen VCS involvement in local health and care systems
- Place people with lived experience at the centre of decision-making
We are now inviting Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations from across Dorset to help shape the direction of the programme.
One of the first steps is to appoint a host organisation to manage and distribute the funding. We want the sector to play a central role in shaping what that position looks like, and in selecting the organisation.
We’ve agreed four essential requirements for the host. It must be:
- An organisation that already gives out grants
- A VCS organisation
- Connected across the whole of Dorset
- Able and willing to work closely with system partners and people with lived experience
Beyond this, we will work together to define the detail.
We are holding two short online information sessions where you can:
- Learn more about the programme
- Explore joining the Steering Group
- Shape the host organisation role
- Contribute ideas to the small grants programme
- Be part of the selection process
These will take place on Tuesday 17 March, 16:00–16:45 and Wednesday 18 March, 12:00–12:45.
To book your place, email [email protected] with your name, organisation, and preferred session. We will send the joining link the day before.
This programme will only succeed if it is shaped with the sector. Your voice, experience and insight matter.
If you’re interested but concerned about capacity, please get in touch, we’re happy to have a conversation.