A campaign to deliver accessible activities and support to people has already more than half way to its target of £20,000 in less than a week.

On April 2 at 6.30pm, The Prout Bridge Project, based in Beaminster, launched #PBPReachingOut to fund a new community outreach programme via Crowdfunder.

The team needs to buy, kit out and staff a vehicle so that the charity can remotely provide support and activities within the town and the surrounding villages. People in the area, from old to young, who usually rely on the support they receive from the charity in Beaminster are in need of its services more than ever.

The Prout Bridge Project delivers services for people of all ages in rural West Dorset, providing youth work and activity clubs for children and young people, mental health and wellbeing support for people of all ages - including a counselling service that is free to use - and community outreach and affordable activities for people of all ages.

It also works closely with the food bank, police and hosts sessions for specialist organisations, such as the Space Youth Project - a safe place for Dorset's LGBQT+ young people - and Shores - support for victims of sexual abuse.

This year has been tough for all of us, and the Prout Bridge Project knows through their work that people of all ages have struggled.

Throughout the pandemic the charity has been busy helping people accessing their free counselling service and outreach youth workers but they have been unable to run their programme of youth clubs and community activities for people of all ages.

A parent said: "I hope you realise how much of a part you have played in helping my daughter gain her confidence and smile again. It is so appreciated. I honestly don't think she and us would have got as far as we have without you. You have been a massive part of her recovery."

A user of the counselling service said: "I was in the darkest place I had ever felt, unable to cope with the depression that had been affecting me for months, driving me deeper and deeper into a hole where I not only felt alone, scared and worried for my own safety, but I also believed that I needed to change.

"With the loving care, help and support from Prout Bridge I am living and breathing here today. They saved my life."

The campaign is the team's response to calls from across the area from people who need support from Prout Bridge Project, many of who are unable to travel or are isolating but need help.

The outreach vehicle will allow the charity to offer services out and about in Beaminster, such as the Memorial Playing Fields, skate park and the Square, and surrounding villages - Broadwindsor, Mosterton, Drimpton, Marshwood, Salway Ash.

Keith Hales, headteacher at Beaminster School, said: "There's a great deal of rural isolation and hidden poverty in the area... the importance of the youth club and activities run by the Prout Bridge Project cannot be underestimated."

The total programme costs they must raise for 2021 is £30k to purchase, kit out, run and staff the vehicle. Thanks to a few generous supporters including Comic Relief and Dorset Council, one third of this target is already secured, but now they need you to help them get the rest.

Many organisations and individuals within the area are offering their support, including Dorset Youth Association, the High Sheriff of Dorset, the police and local schools. Celebrities Martin and Philippa Clunes are also wholeheartedly backing the campaign.

Martin and Philippa Clunes said: "The Prout Bridge Project is an absolutely vital service for Beaminster. Having a hub where the community can gather and have access to a large variety of services, activities and clubs - including the arts which we are particularly interested in - is integral to contributing to a healthy community, both mentally and physically."

The Crowdfunder page can be found here

Donations can also be made via cheque made out to Prout Bridge Project, or cash can be put in an envelope and put through the letterbox pf Prout Bridge Project, 28 North Street, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3DY.

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