To apply, please visit Cost of Living Community Impact Fund

If you have any questions, please contact CommunityGrants@dover.gov.uk.

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust – Falls prevention: Helping people stay steady on their feet

Are you or someone you care about worried about falling at home or outdoors?

Staying steady on your feet is one of the most important steps to living a healthy, independent life as we age. That’s why we invite you to join our falls awareness webinar – a free and practical session designed to give you confidence, knowledge and the tools to reduce your risk of falls.

   When: Monday, 22 September
   At: 6:00pm

    Register here: Falls Webinar Registration
   More info: Falls prevention webpage

   The session will include:

• easy exercises to improve balance and strength
• practical tips for reducing fall risks at home
• Q&A with falls prevention specialists
• stories from people who have improved their independence through our classes.

National test of the UK’s Emergency Alerts system

The UK government is testing the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday 7 September 2025 at 3pm.

The test will be sent to all compatible 4G and 5G mobile phones and tablets across the UK.

You will hear a loud siren-like sound, vibration, and a message will appear on the screen confirming that this is a test. The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds. You will not need to take any further action.

Depending on your phone’s features, the alert will work with screen magnification and may read the message out for you having also overridden volume settings. The unique noise emitted by the phone should also be audible for those who use a hearing aid.

You can opt out of the Emergency Alerts, including the national test, but the advice is that you should keep them switched on for your own safety. However, if you need to turn off these off, visit www.gov.uk/alerts/opting-out for step-by-step instructions.

About the Emergency Alerts

The Emergency Alerts system is an important tool for reaching the public in emergency situations. Regular testing ensures the system is functioning correctly, should it need to be used in a life-threatening emergency. Find out more at www.gov.uk/alerts

Only the government and the emergency services are able to send them. You’ll be able to check that an alert is genuine at www.gov.uk/alerts. Emergency Alerts will be just one of the ways the government communicates with the public about emergency situations. So, if you don’t have a mobile phone, don’t worry – you’ll still be made aware through the media and local emergency services.

There are simple and effective steps we can all take to be more prepared for an emergency. Visit www.gov.uk/prepare for advice on how you can prepare or visit the local Kent and Medway Resilience Forum’s website at www.kentprepared.org.uk

Family Fund’s ‘Your Opportunity’ Grants Programme Open for UK Applications

This dedicated grants programme aims to enhance the life of disabled, or seriously ill, young adults, aged 18 to 24 years old, living at home in the UK.

The fund has been set up to focus on disabled young people who once they reach 18 lose vital financial and wider support, including available learning opportunities and local groups and activities. These grants are designed to plug some of that gap. They are intended to help young people lead fulfilling lives and pursue their goals and interests.

Applications will be accepted from the main parent or carer of a disabled or seriously ill young adult aged 18 to 24, who lives at home with them. They must have lived in the UK for the last six months and be a family on a low income from work, or benefits such as Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit etc.

 The young adult must have a high level of support needs, in three or more of the following areas:

• Personal care, supervision and vigilance – needs support with feeding, washing, toileting, or needs to be supervised at all times.
• Access to social activities – needs extra support to access social or leisure activities, including difficulty travelling, or where they are currently socially isolated.
• Education/vocational training – has additional educational support needs, or needs extra help to attend vocational training.
• Communication – needs support to listen, speak or understand.
• Therapy and medical treatment – needs treatment or therapy. 
• Specialist resources used – needs resources such as a wheelchair, oxygen, screen magnifier or electronic communication aid.
• The physical environment – needs support with getting around, travelling independently, and keeping safe.

The following are ideas and examples of what could be funded:

• Digital equipment – including laptops, tablets or software to help with learning, coursework or gaming
• Clubs and activities – membership fees, sports training, support with season tickets or materials for a hobby
• Musical instruments – contributions towards an instrument of choice
• Sports equipment – kit or uniforms, specialist equipment, such as a specialist sport or lightweight wheelchair, or wheelchair maintenance
• Transport – railcards, train tickets or bus passes
• Day trips – tickets for the cinema, theatre, concerts or meals out
• Support for learning – books, stationery or uniform, to support further education, training or vocational courses, including conferences or study weekends
• Driving ambitions – contributions for a provisional licence, including licence costs, learning materials, theory tests or initial lessons
• Bedroom furniture – assistance with beds and bedding, or televisions
• White goods – kitchen items such as fridge freezers, cookers or washing machines, to help with independence.



Funding is limited. Applications are accepted from families on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is fully allocated.

Community Safety Officer

Lyndsey Read

Dover District Council

White Cliffs Business Park

Whitfield, Dover

CT16 3PJ

01304 872220

07841 013783

lyndsey.read@dover.gov.uk

www.dover.gov.uk/communitysafety