West Dorset YouthBank
Young people from the West Dorset Youth Council, which covers Bridport, Beaminster, Dorchester and Lyme Regis, joined together to form the county's first youth bank.
The West Dorset YouthBank is an innovative grant-making programme managed by young people, for young people. It provides small grants of £25 to £350 to fund young people's good ideas that benefit other young people in their communities.
The bank has been set up by the West Dorset Youth Council and continues to receive support from them. Young people can put in a
funding application (pdf, 309kb) (opens in a new window) 
for their ideas which could cover such things as equipment for village youth clubs, football competitions or local discos.
The West Dorset YouthBank has been given a start up grant from the district council and has received National Lottery funding, Chalk and Cheese funding and grants from Sherborne and Beaminster and Lyme Regis Town Councils. The young people would welcome sponsorship from local businesses.
West Dorset YouthBank organisers were awarded the Community Champions Award for Innovation in September 2007.
Since its launch on 2 June 2007, the West Dorset YouthBank have made awards to:
- Lyme Youth Matters for a community arts project
- Thornford Playground Committee to help fund a youth shelter
- ASDAN Group in Sherborne for branded sweatshirts for wearing when undertaking community projects
- Dorchester LMX project for safety equipment
- Bridport Tokyo Exchange Group for a fundraising gig
- Dorset Volunteers for a healthy living project
- A supported housing project for a new pool table
-
Community Development Officer
Name: Emma Scott
Email: e.scott@westdorset-dc.gov.uk
Tel: 01305 252204
Full details for Emma Scott
