On behalf of our community, who have nominated this group, we want to express our deepest gratitude to the volunteers at Stop Portland Waste Incinerator, in particular, Debbie and Sandy, whose dedication, determination and integrity have guided this campaign for the past seven years.

This team have shown what community leadership looks like, and how powerful ordinary people can be when they stand together for what is right.

They have stood up for the island with extraordinary courage, raising phenomenal amounts of money, carrying out meticulous research, organising community protests and giving countless hours of voluntary work — often at considerable personal cost.

Although the appeal result was not what any of us hoped for, it is important to say clearly: no-one could have done more, fought harder or cared more deeply than this team. Their efforts have inspired respect, unity and pride across Portland and most importantly delayed the building process.

As they now step back, after years of hard work, we want them to know how deeply appreciative the Island is. Their commitment has made a lasting impact, and we are profoundly grateful for everything they have done.

If you are looking to further action against the Waste Incinerator then a new group has been established under the name of Stop Portland Incinerator Campaign. Information can be found on this page or you can email: portlandincineratorcampaign@gmail.com.

For 12 days leading up to Christmas, we will be highlighting a charity, organisation or community group that has been nominated by members of our community.

This group of young people, Portland Youth Council, have been nominated by members of the community to be recognised for giving up on average 40+ hours of their own individual time a year to champion youth voice and fundraise for and deliver activities/events for other young people.

These and past members have worked incredibly hard over the past four years to understand what young people need and want on Portland and act responsively in order to make positive change based on their findings.

This last year the group have delivered a campaign, Protecting and Respecting Local Wildlife and Public Spaces, campaign as well as putting on related activities and events for families, children and their peers – events and activities they spent all year fundraising for.

Often dealing with their own personal challenges plus getting to grips with teenagerhood, these individuals still put aside time to make a real difference in their community and try to change the perception that all teenagers are trouble makers. They are truly inspirational!

For 12 days leading up to Christmas, we will be highlighting a charity, organisation or community group that has been nominated by members of our community.

Jo and her team from Hedgehog Friendly Portland work tirelessly and commendably around the clock to respond to the needs of hedgehogs that require rescue and rehabilitation. Every year, they save around 200 hogs and hoglets, which can come from a wide range of places, including other counties, South and West Dorset, Dorchester, Weymouth, Wyke Regis, and, of course, here on Portland.

Not only does this charity work to save hedgehogs on the ‘front line’, but they also spread awareness and education about these remarkable creatures, encouraging people to respect and care for them in the hope that many more can be saved through prevention.

Hedgehog Friendly Portland reminds us that it’s not just the people on Portland that make it great, it’s also the wonderful creatures that we share our island with!

Thank you to all the volunteers of this charity for all their hard work in protecting our spikey friends!

For 12 days leading up to Christmas, we will be highlighting a charity, organisation or community group that has been nominated by members of our community.

Today we’d like to shine a light on the amazing team of volunteers at the Dorset Blind Association charity shop in Easton.

The shops team, namely Andrew and Zoe, have created a warm and friendly addition to Easton, greeting every customer with enthusiasm, positivity, and attention.

What’s more, every item donated and bought makes a real difference in helping the Dorset Blind Association achieve its mission to support people living with visual impairment across the county through practical help, the provision of specialist equipment, social groups and emotional support.

Because of the commitment of the shop’s volunteers, individuals and families facing sight loss can access the services they need to stay independent, confident and connected.

Portland Youth Council made the very wet trip up to Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens to explore their Illuminate at the Subtropical Gardens installation and gain some insight from Charlie at O T Event Technicians LTD about the planning, hard work, time and money that goes into pulling this amazing spectacle off.

This trip makes up a full programme of training to empower the group to pull off their own event for other young people in July 2026!

For 12 days leading up to Christmas, we will be highlighting a charity, organisation or community group that has been nominated by members of our community.

On behalf of our community, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible volunteer team behind the Portland Leg Club. Their dedication, kindness and commitment have made an extraordinary difference to the lives of so many people on the island.

Each week they offer vital support to those dealing with leg and circulation problems, providing care, advice and reassurance in a safe and welcoming environment.

The Club’s offer goes far beyond medical help. For those who are isolated or lonely, sometimes not seeing another person from one week to the next, for example, the Leg Club provides a lifeline — a place to talk, laugh and feel part of something, and to know they are not alone.

The Club’s volunteers give their time generously, treating everyone with dignity and compassion and, in doing so, they bring comfort and increased confidence to those who attend.

Thank you for all you do, and for making our community a stronger, kinder and more connected place.

Royal Manor Health Care

We would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to Portland United Service Lodge 3473 for their incredibly generous donation of £1,500 towards our services for older and vulnerable people on Portland.

In particular, we are hugely grateful for the fundraising efforts of Freemason Richard Fagan (front), seen here with colleagues John Hancock (left) and Ben Cartwright (middle) + members of the ICA staff and volunteer team.

This contribution will certainly make a big difference to the lives of our most vulnerable clients.

Happy Christmas to you all xxx

For 12 days leading up to Christmas, we will be highlighting a charity, organisation or community group that has been nominated by members of our community.

Today’s nomination is Portland YMCA. This amazing team of volunteers and the space they work in is a true hub and community asset for Portland, offering support through their Baby Bank, hosting events, classes, and activities, and providing facilities like their gym and affordable lodgings.

Their welcoming space, high standards, and the dedication of their volunteers creates an environment where everyone feels supported, connected, and valued.

The pride and care they put into everything really reflects Portland’s ‘can do’ spirit and not only makes the YMCA a genuinely uplifting space to visit, but also reminds us of the importance of the places we all come to meet in to create memories, build skills and share information.

Thank you for being a team that supports a real pillar of our community!

For 12 days leading up to Christmas, we will be highlighting a charity, organisation or community group that has been nominated by members of our community.

A huge thank you to the incredible b-side and Friends of b-side teams (staff and volunteers).

Your imagination, compassion and creativity have transformed our community in ways that words can barely express. Through every project, festival and workshop, you show how art, place and people can come together to create something truly special — enriching lives, renewing connections and turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.

From commissioning site-responsive artworks that celebrate the history and spirit of our island, to offering opportunities for residents, young people and visiting artists, you’ve built spaces where creativity thrives. Your commitment to nurturing talent and sharing community stories makes the Isle of Portland (and beyond) feel more alive, connected and valued than ever.

None of this magic would be possible without the amazing volunteers who work front of house and behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly!

Massive thanks to you and your volunteers for evidencing what art can do, for the environment, heritage, wellbeing and the social fabric of our community.

You certainly help our community’s creativity flourish.

For 12 days leading up to Christmas, we will be highlighting a charity, organisation or community group that has been nominated by members of our community.

The volunteers who started Hooked have been recognised by members of the community for taking the initiative to tackle loneliness in the 20-40 year age group by starting a local crochet group.

Since it launched, members have worked together to handmake items to donate to a number of community projects. This includes creating items for Dorset Council’s Christmas Stocking Installation, which raises awareness of children and young people in care; creating a beautiful woolly campfire for the local Beavers group, so they could learn camp songs, and helping turn Easton into a Woolly Wonderland, bringing joy to 1000s. Some members have even helped teach children the skill of crochet.

In addition, the group have worked behind the scenes on many other projects, including creating gifts for those who have lost babies.

All this, as well continuing to provide a safe space for those who have found it hard to meet people their own age.

What an amazing group they are!