DORCHESTER'S Mencap store was the scene of many smiles as it received a community grant from Bluebird Care Dorset.

Vice-chair of the Mid Dorset Mencap Group, Mervyn Harris, along with employees and volunteers were presented with a £250 grant from Chris Scriven, director at Bluebird Care Dorset.

Bluebird Care Dorset’s Community Grant Scheme has been running for more than a year and looks to support local causes through the provision of a £250 grant to a different group each month.

Other causes to benefit to date in the Dorchester area include the Stroke Club and the Carer’s Moving Forward group.

The Mid Dorset Mencap group is a local-based charity run entirely by volunteers that aims to improve the quality of life for those with learning difficulties or other special needs. It aims to raise funds to provide goods or services to assist them in being able to live more independently.

Mr Harris applied for the grant to assist in covering the running costs of the group’s charity shop which acts as a social enterprise project, providing the opportunity for life skills development and work experience for the group’s service users, who volunteer there. The store is located on High East Street.

This opportunity has already led to one volunteer accessing employment as a result of the skills gained in the shop. Although a very small charge is made for service users to attend for a half day or a day, this charge is not sufficient to cover the running costs and the Bluebird Care grant was requested to assist in covering the shortfall.

Mr Harris said: "The grant that we received from Bluebird Care Dorset will help Mid Dorset Mencap to continue with our project. We are most grateful to Chris and team for their support in helping our shop team to aspire to achieve their goals.

"From the trustees and committee of Mid Dorset Mencap Group our heartfelt thanks."

Mr Scriven said: "It was a pleasure to visit the shop and see the work that goes on and how the experience of social involvement benefits the service users. Those that I met were happy and enthusiastic about their role in the running of a well-stocked charity shop. At Bluebird Care Dorset we wish Mid Dorset Mencap every success both with the shop and their wider and longer term aspirations."

Other groups or causes wishing to obtain for a Bluebird Care Dorset Community grant can access further information and an application form at bluebirdcare.co.uk/Our-Dorset-Offices