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!

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. 

After multiple nominations, we want to express our deepest gratitude for everything the team and volunteers at The Sanctuary Crisis Intervention Hub CIC do for the people of Portland, as they work tirelessly to provide their wide range of support for those in need.

Their low-cost essentials The Sanctuary Community Shop eases the pressure on local families, offering dignity and relief during difficult times. Whilst the Cozy Corner (completely volunteer run) provides a safe, inclusive and friendly place where people can get a warm drink, share a meal, chat and feel part of something special.

At a time when mental health services are stretched and support isn’t always easy to access, the organisation’s dedicated and trained team members offer compassion, patience and care. They help individuals to understand themselves, if they’re feeling lost and isolated, providing hope and a path to improved mental health and wellbeing

The whole team at The Sanctuary are a real source of strength, stability and inspiration to 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 volunteers and Michelle at the @Weldmar Hospicecare shop here on Portland.

This small but big impact charity shop raises vital funds to help Weldmar provide outstanding care across Dorset to those living with life-limiting illnesses or needing end-of-life care. The support they provide includes everything from help at home to compassionate inpatient care at their Dorchester-based hospice.

For local people, Weldmar Portland is much more than a charity shop; it’s a welcoming community space filled with friendly faces and familiar customers, marking it as a cornerstone of Easton.

The energy and commitment of those who work/volunteer within the shop is fantastic, and the difference they make both locally and further afield is clearly evident. And, outside of the shop, their annual Pirate Fest (organised by the Weldmar volunteers – shoutout to Pat), brings the community together for a day of fun, joy and fundraising!

We’re so grateful for everything you do.

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.

Handmade with Love are a group of volunteers, headed by Colleen, who knit, sew and crochet items for sale at Portland and Weymouth craft fayres and online.

Colleen started fundraising for a cancer charity back in 2019, selling items to friends and neighbours. COVID put things on hold but when restrictions were lifted Colleen and her team came back with renewed energy and created, ‘Handmade with Love’.

ALL proceeds raised annually (no expenses taken) are divided between three charities – Weldmar Hospicecare, Dorset County Hospital’s Fortuneswell (Cancer) Ward, and a third charity decided upon by the group.

To date, the charities that have received the final third are The Air Ambulance Service, The Three Ells Trust, Dorset Blind Association, Portland Hedgehogs and WillDoes.

This year the chosen charity is Muscular Dystrophy, as a fitting tribute to one of the groups volunteers who sadly passed away as a result of the condition.

In the seven years that the group have been running, they’ve managed to raise a whopping £26,000 for charity.

We are astounded by this groups generosity and drive to do good, even when they’re dealing with personal hardships themselves.

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
#TOC2025
#townsofculture2025