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

Today, we want to shine a light on the incredible work of The Three Ells Trust.

Helen, the driving force behind the charity, works tirelessly to support the families of children and young people who are facing the unimaginable journey of terminal and life limiting diagnosis.

The Three Ells Trust provide a range of help, from travel and parking during hospital stays to vital support with accommodation. The charity has also fundraised and provided funding for the development and continuation of health care roles that provide families with specialist support.

Our community thinks you’re incredible and inspirational and we hope you can enjoy this small gesture of gratitude for all you do.

Helen wanted us to share her own message of gratitude, to the community who have helped the charity achieve everything they have. She said the work wouldn’t be possible without kind hearted and generous people giving their own time up to fundraise and advocate.

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

The first group that we, as a community, are very grateful to is NCI Portland Bill.

The volunteers here are out 365 days a year, in every kind of weather, often giving up personal plans to keep our local fishing fleet, boaters, climbers, coasteerers and walkers safe. Their presence on the headland is constant, reliable and deeply valued, and their vigilance, compassion and quick action saves lives every year — often quietly, without recognition, simply because they care about the people who live here and those who visit our coastline.

NCI Portland Bill remind us that community is built not just from the places we share, but also on the people who choose to stand watch, protect others, and give their time without expecting anything in return.

We are incredibly grateful for everything you do. Portland wouldn’t be the same without you.

The team are currently looking for more volunteers to join their team, for more information click here.

Another fabulous festive lunch, this time at Foylebank.

Thanks to Hannah Malcy Barnwell and the team of volunteers whose dedication and energy make it possible to deliver this lunch club year round.

The club provides a great opportunity for our older clients to meet up with their friends, socialise and eat a delicious and nutritious hot meal.

This year, those who attended were also celebrating the lead up to Portland and Weymouth’s final Towns of Culture event #hatsoff25.

#TOC2025

#townsofculture2025

A fabulous afternoon spent at this year’s Senior’s Christmas Lunch, which saw 90 older residents tuck into a three course festive lunch with all the trimmings and a surprise gift.

Thanks to The Lobster Pot Restaurant, Steve Whale for the entertainment, and our amazing volunteers who drove and supported our guests throughout the event.

Massive appreciation also to The McCarthy Stone Foundation for their generosity in part funding ICA’s Christmas activities for 2025.

This year we’re also celebrating Portland and Weymouth’s run as Dorset’s Towns of Culture by joining their #hatsoff25 finale event.

To get involved, simply dig out or create your best party hat, take a shot of yourself wearing it, and post it to your social media feed, including the hashtag #hatsoff25.

You can create your hat at home, school, in a group or with friends, OR you can come along to one of the upcoming BIG Party HAT workshops run by Houseworks Dorset CIC (check out their Facebook page for more information). They’re free, and everything you need to create a legendary hat will be provided.

If you prefer, ICA have a few blank canvas hats already made up – waiting for you to decorate. We also have hat templates and some crafting materials. Pop in (we’re opposite Easton Gardens) to pick them up between 10 am and 2 pm, Monday to Friday.

On the 30th December, these activities will culminate in a mega hat-throwing event, with stalls and activities, in Weymouth Town Centre to officially mark the end of Towns of Culture for 2025. More details to follow.

#TOC2025

#townsofculture2025

What a fabulous festive and very fizzy-filled evening our Wreath Making workshop was this year.

Thanks to the 42 who attended, those who volunteered to help, and to Lorna from Pebbles Beach for running the evening. All profits will go towards supporting our Christmas activities for older, vulnerable people on Portland.

It was also a great time to celebrate the start of Portland and Weymouth’s Towns of Culture final celebrations. During this final celebration, you’re invited to show the rest of Dorset (and then anyone else who’s watching) just how creative and Christmassy us lot are. Just dig out or create your best party hat, take a shot of yourself wearing it, and post it to your social media feed with the hashtag #hatsoff25.

You can create your hat at home, school, in a group or with friends OR you can come along to one of the upcoming BIG PARTY HAT workshops (see venues and dates on the poster below). They’re free and everything you need to create a legendary hat will be provided!

#hatsoff25
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#townsofculture2025

France Quarry is a beautiful green oasis, slap bang in the middle of Easton. To help ensure it remains this way, it’s in need of a pre-Christmas spruce-up!

Have you got a couple of hours to spare this coming Sunday to help the Weymouth & Portland Marine Litter Project CIC and Future Portland UK – Community Benefit Society with their planned litter pick?

Family friendly. All equipment supplied (except gloves). Refreshments provided.

More details below.

A fascinating, insightful and important report, created by Dorset Community Foundation and focused on uncovering hidden need in Dorset. Read it here.

Dear Guardians of Primary aged children,

This message comes from Portland Youth Council aka this year’s Elves of Christmas!

As part of our fundraising this year, we are working with Father Christmas himself to offer a Santa Letter writing service.

To join in, simply head to ICA’s Easton office (opposite Easton Gardens – 10 am to 2 pm, Monday to Friday) and request a Santa Letter writing kit. You’ll receive an envelope, letter template and instructions, which will all need to be filled out and returned (with £2.50 enclosed) to the office before the 9th December.

Kits can also be picked up at the Atlantic Academy Portland office or at our Easton Sparkle fundraising stall (Friday, 5th December).

Once completed and returned, your child will receive a personalised letter from Santa with a small festive thank you inside.

All fundraising will help us towards our goal to plan a fantastic 2026 event that will benefit local children and young people!

Thank you for reading and for your support, Portland Youth Council.

Over the last year, Portland and Weymouth have been Dorset’s official Towns of Culture, and what an amazing 12 months it’s been!

To round off the celebrations, we want everyone – young, old, and in-between – to dig out or create their best party hat, take a shot of themselves wearing it, and post it to their social media feed. To ensure we create the biggest splash possible (and to show the rest of Dorset just how creative we are), we’d love you to include the title ‘Hats Off for Towns of Culture 2025,’ along with the hashtag #hatsoff25.

You can create your hat at home, school, in a group or with friends, OR you can come along to one of the upcoming BIG Party HAT workshops (see venues and dates on poster) being run by Houseworks Dorset CIC. They’re free, and everything you need to create a legendary hat will be provided.

If you prefer, ICA have a few blank canvas hats already made up – waiting for you to decorate. We also have hat templates and some crafting materials. Pop in (we’re opposite Easton Gardens) to pick them up between 10 am and 2 pm, Monday to Friday.

Over the festive period, these activities will be followed by a mega hat-throwing event to officially mark the end of Towns of Culture for 2025. Details to follow.

#TOC2025

#weymouthandportlandtownofculture

#TOC2025

#townofculture2025

Weymouth Town Centre has been overtaken by a fiendish flock of fairy tale villains. Can you solve the challenges to rescue the town from Prince Uncharming and the Wickedest Stepmother of All, or will they deliver a very unhappy ending for everyone?

A few tickets remaining for tomorrow’s live action launch in Weymouth Town Centre.

Event recommended for families and those aged 4-12 years; however, all children/young people are welcome.

Tickets at £2.75 (parents/guardians need not pay), available from: https://buytickets.at/weareweymouth/1748270

Those who complete the trail will receive a special Halloween prize. They will also be entered into a draw for a special hamper.

THE SPECIAL PRIZES ARE ONLY AVAILABLE ON SATURDAY, 25TH OCTOBER – DURING THE LIVE LAUNCH EVENT.

Find out more here.

Event delivered by ICA and EPIC Games Dorset on behalf of We Are Weymouth UK.

#weymouthandportlandtownofculture

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#townofculture2025