Food connects our health, our environment, our economy and our communities, writes Jon Sloper in #DorsetLife magazine. We have been speaking with farmers, growers, food businesses, community groups and local residents about the future of Dorset's food system. #FeedingDorsetPartnership

Small local providers can make a very big difference. By helping Dorset's Micro-Providers become visible, connected and supported, we expand the practical choices available to people close to home. #HelpAndKindness #MicroProviders #Dorset

From the Ground Up

Could Healthy Start be easier for families to access? @BCPCouncil and Dorset Council want to hear about people's experiences of the scheme. Share your views in the Healthy Start survey by 2 November.

Care workers to get national pension scheme, says social care secretary - Community Care

Interested in becoming an Age Friendly Dorset Ambassador? Come along to Charlton Down Village Hall on 9 October, 1–4pm, to find out more. Speakers, activities, cake and time for questions. Everyone welcome. Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/celebrating-our-ambassadors-2026-tickets-1994539415082

A request may sound simple, but the circumstances behind it may not be. Dorset's Community Response listens first, explores the whole situation and helps residents, families and professionals find practical local possibilities. #HelpAndKindness #Dorset

More than 5,000 people responded to Dorset Council's dog-control consultation. The findings show broad support — and one place where opinion was closely divided.

A new Healthwatch Dorset report sets out practical requests from patients: clearer updates, fairer booking routes, interpreters and reliable test-result follow-up.

Dorset's cultural life reaches far beyond theatres and galleries. A new five-year strategy records high participation, strong local activity and uneven access.

A public update on maternity care at Royal Bournemouth Hospital records important improvements since 2025 — and the work that still needs watching.

Dorset SEND families can ask questions, meet support organisations and share views at a free drop-in event near Dorchester on 30 September.

This week in Community Voices: clearer routes through health and SEND support, Dorset's appetite for culture, shared public spaces, and two smaller signals we will keep listening to.

Entries are open for the first Corscombe Trail Races! Choose an 11K or 5K trail race in West Dorset on Saturday 12 June 2027, alongside Corscombe Village Fête. Find out more and enter: https://www.helpandkindness.co.uk/activity/4771

Dorset is one county made up of many different communities. We combine countywide reach with detailed local knowledge across Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, helping useful information and connections travel across boundaries. #HelpAndKindness #Dorset

Seed Gathering Season - The Tree Council

Most of UK’s essential food supply grown in drought-risk areas, report warns

What's happening around Dorset over the next two weeks? Arts festivals, live music, wildlife walks, community events, creative activities and lots more. Explore some of the things happening from 25th September to 8th October.

More than 5,000 people responded to Dorset Council's dog-control consultation. The findings show broad support — and one place where opinion was closely divided.

A new Healthwatch Dorset report sets out practical requests from patients: clearer updates, fairer booking routes, interpreters and reliable test-result follow-up.

Dorset's cultural life reaches far beyond theatres and galleries. A new five-year strategy records high participation, strong local activity and uneven access.

Dorset SEND families can ask questions, meet support organisations and share views at a free drop-in event near Dorchester on 30 September.

A public update on maternity care at Royal Bournemouth Hospital records important improvements since 2025 — and the work that still needs watching.

This week in Community Voices: clearer routes through health and SEND support, Dorset's appetite for culture, shared public spaces, and two smaller signals we will keep listening to.

Good community information needs continual human attention. We check, listen, correct and improve so residents, professionals, search engines and AI-generated answers have a stronger source to draw on. Spot a change? Please tell us. #HelpAndKindness #Dorset

What's happening around Dorset over the next two weeks?

Thousands of records checked and improved, thousands of additions, and 5.41 million appearances in Google search results — helping people find useful support and community connections across Dorset.

Are we a directory? Yes—but that is only the front door. Behind it are years of listening, checking, connecting and practical support across Dorset. Start with a search, or ask us when the answer is not obvious. #HelpAndKindness #Dorset

Good community information needs continual human attention. We check, listen, correct and improve so residents, professionals, search engines and AI-generated answers have a stronger source to draw on. Spot a change? Please tell us. #HelpAndKindness #Dorset

We have spent years getting to know the people who grow, make, sell and share food across Dorset. Now those connections are helping us work towards a fairer, more resilient and sustainable local food system. Read more about our work and help us build Dorset's food atlas.

We've completed a full update of Dorset's community-publication listings — helping local messages reach more people while supporting the trusted magazines and newsletters that connect our communities. Search for “newsletter” or “magazine” on our website.

How feedback from children and families changed the plans for Setley Gardens and Chesildene Avenue in Bournemouth. #CommunityVoices

What path users told Dorset Council about mud, overgrowth, signs, stiles and unsafe gaps in the public-path network. #CommunityVoices

How young people, families and professionals can help make Dorset's public CAMHS website clearer and easier to use. #CommunityVoices

More than 2,800 athletes are signed up for Weymouth's sold-out IRONMAN weekend, alongside the town's first IRONKIDS. #CommunityVoices

What 978 women's-health survey responses asked for, and how a new Mid Dorset survey is continuing the conversation. #CommunityVoices