Finding Home and Community: Tim Wilmot's Journey

When a sense of adventure brought Tim Wilmot to Poundbury in January 2024, he discovered something special—not just a new place to live, but a vibrant community to call home.

Moving from Sheffield with his wife Antonia, Tim fell in love with Poundbury's quieter, more relaxed atmosphere and Dorchester's incredible location: "We love the proximity to so many things—from country walks to beach days, exploring all that Dorset and the South Coast have to offer. It's beautiful."

It was a chance encounter on the Great Field, however, that truly anchored Tim in the community. Meeting Leslie Clark, the then-chair of what's now the Community Association of Poundbury, opened his eyes to something he'd been missing. "We were struck by Leslie's and the other volunteers' energy and passion for supporting the community. I felt that I wanted to be part of that and could help too."

Having worked across the country, Tim realised that he was missing the deeper sense of connection that being part of a community brings. "I wanted to feel a real part of the community, and volunteering became the perfect gateway."

Making His Mark

Tim has already made a significant impact, launching and developing the new Virtual Community Hub and leading the Association's Communications Team across social media, the weekly newsletter, notice boards, and the website itself, which are proving increasingly popular. He credits much of these successes to teamwork and the tireless efforts of the volunteers he leads: "They are a great team, and I love working with them – it's great fun!"

The Power of Volunteering

For Tim, volunteering is more than just contributing to projects; it's about creating change and cultivating the essence of community. "Volunteering across a small community is vitally important—not only for seeing things change but for fostering that sense of connection. Personally, I get a great deal from it too – it helps me feel part of where I live."

Tim emphasises the accessibility of getting involved: "There's such a variety of things to do here. The Community Association of Poundbury really has something for everyone and to suit any amount of time, whether you can jump into a main project or donate just a few hours here and there."

An Adventurous Background

Before settling in Poundbury, he had an exciting career as Digital Communications Lead at insurer Aviva plc. His work took him to world-class events like the World Championships in Berlin, England football games, BBC Sports Personality of the Year, and even movie premieres. Nowadays, his adventures are closer to home, focused on building a stronger community. For Tim, the teamwork, friendships, and sense of belonging make volunteering an adventure in its own right: "Meeting new people and making new friends—I really do feel part of the community now. Whenever we have something that needs work, everyone pulls together, jumps in, and gets things done. There's such fabulous team spirit."