Many of us think about volunteering and then wonder where to start. What opportunities are out there? What would suit my skills and interests? How much time do I need to commit? That's where Volunteer Centre Dorset comes in. Based in Dorchester and supporting communities across the Dorset Council area, Volunteer Centre Dorset helps connect local people with volunteering opportunities that match their interests, availability and goals. Whether you can spare a few hours each month or want to...

On Wednesday 7 October, Damers Hall was full of neighbours, volunteers, councillors, police and local organisations, all in one room to talk about the place we share. Thank you to everyone who came, asked a question or simply listened. It made for a lively, warm and productive evening. We were delighted to welcome new Dorchester Town Clerk Charmaine Denny, Mayor Les Fry and the Mayoress Julie Fry, who shared their thoughts afterwards: "It was good to see this well attended residents'...

One of the simplest things we can do to make Poundbury feel more like home is also one of the easiest to overlook: actually meeting the people around us. That's the idea behind Meet Your Poundbury Neighbour, the new monthly drop-in social organised by the Community Association of Poundbury, held on the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Duchess of Cornwall Inn. We launched the first one on 22 September and were delighted with the response. Sixteen neighbours turned up over the course of the...