We know that being active helps with our physical health, but it also has an impact on our mental health.
Taking part in sport can:
- build strong social networks
- help people to feel more connected to where they live
- build self esteem
- develop social skills
- increase our confidence
All of these can transfer and impact on other parts of life.
Dorset is lucky to have a wide range of opportunities to help us keep active, whether that is informally outdoors with friends and family or participating in organised activity at one of the many clubs or sports centres around the county.
Dorset Council and other local and national bodies have resources to help organisations that provide these opportunities to our residents. This page highlights some of the available support.
Dorset Council Sports Development
We can provide advice and support to help clubs. If you would like to receive information from time to time, email leisure@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk. Include the name of the organisation that you represent, and we will add you to our mailing list.
We have grant schemes that can help the club with capital and revenue projects.
- Capital Leverage Fund: for capital projects, providing funding between £1,000 and £25,000 to a maximum of 20% of the total project cost
- Community and Culture Project Fund: this fund can award grants of up to £5,000 to a maximum of 80% of the total project cost and is for revenue projects
Dorset Fundfinder is a tool which enables Dorset's community organisations to search and browse funding, grants and information. Groups will need to register for an account before they can begin searching and signing up for regular updates.
The Sports Development Team manage sports leaders and coaches that deliver engaging and inclusive active sessions. These are delivered alongside other projects that help to meet our strategic objectives.
Other support available to sports and activity providers
See the information on the following organisations that could help sports clubs and physical activity providers:
- Active Dorset: An active partnership that are funded by Sport England. They work with others to create conditions for an active nation. Organisations can register to receive useful regular updates and can also add session/club details onto their database to help attract new participants
- Sported: Clubs can join the network and gain access to free resources and programmes, including funding, training, insights and support to help clubs thrive
- Dorset Community Action: Community Advisors can offer consultancy and bespoke advice to help organisations achieve their objectives
- Community Action Network (CAN): provides support, development opportunities and training to help the voluntary sector thrive
- Volunteer Centre Dorset: Local charities or organisations that involve volunteers can find everything they need to recruit, manage and support volunteers
- Governing bodies of sport: The governing bodies offer a range of support. A list of governing bodies can be found on the Sport England website
- Town and Parish Councils: See a list of Dorset town and parish councils