An important message from your Royal Manor Health Centre.
“Following recent media comment this is to clarify that if you or someone you know has their 2nd covid vaccination booked for 6th 7th or 8th of January these vaccinations will be going ahead and it is important patients attend. Thank you”.
Although many aspects of 2021 may still be uncertain, rest assured that ICA will be here to support those who need it as things develop and change of the next few months.
After our Christmas and New Year break, we will open again on Monday 4th January at 10am. You can reach us on 01305 823789, via Facebook or here.
What a year!!! Thank you to all those that have supported our work. We really couldn’t have done it without you. 2020 has truly shown the power of community.
All that’s left to say is, we love our beautiful island and its amazing community – have a fantastic Christmas and New Year.
Here’s a little Christmas movie, summing up our year – we hope it gets you in the festive mood.
Over the last few weeks, as part of our Advent Angels Christmas 2020 initiative, we’ve been delivering treats to some of Portland’s COVID-19 super heroes. All recipients were nominated by the local community, which has made the awards even more special. In total, ICA delivered 70 treats to 104 people and six businesses. The photograph below captures most of these.
Congratulations to all who received treats or donated. Your community is proud to have you as residents, volunteers and supporters of those in need across the Island.
We’ve saved some of our Advent Angels super stars for our last day of deliveries. They’ve all worked hard as volunteers to make other people’s Christmas special, so we thought they would be the perfect people to surprise with a festive treat of their own.
First up is Gill Greenwood. For many years Gill has organised the collection of the local Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Shoe Box Appeal. Over that time she has coordinated 1,000s of boxes of Christmas presents to be sent across the globe to some of the World’s most ‘in need’ children.
Our second nominee is Tracey Sharp, who collects, buys and makes Christmas parcels up for multiple homeless people each year. Nominated by her daughter for being a fantastic mum to the family, whilst also thinking and supporting others. A true local hero.
Third is Rachel Walters. With the help of her two daughters, Rachel has made 35 Christmas dinners, complete with all the trimmings, and delivered them around the Island to some of our older clients. Without Rachel’s generosity and time these residents would not have had a Christmas lunch. Huge thanks also to Sue Illsley at Fancy’s Farm for the use of her kitchen and to Colin Clark & Son / Little Angus Butchers and Express Potato Supply Ltd for donating the meat and vegetables for this (all other produce was donated by Rachel herself). A great example of the community and local businesses coming together.
Lastly, our youngest volunteers Lily (8yrs) and Ruby (6yrs) Hope, both of whom have been helping with wrapping and delivering Advent Angel and Christmas parcels to our older clients. Huge thanks to Janet Newton for the fabulous donation of a handmade doll house and accessories for this lovely pair of elves.
Three very deserving Advent Angels ladies were surprised with Christmas treats as a thank you for what they’ve done to support others this year.
Firstly, Gill Hodgkins who has supported and checked in on so many of the residents of Ladymead throughout the year. She certainly deserved the box of goodies donated by our fabulous supporters.
Next, Anaïck Humbert and Shani from Happy You And Mee who so generously donated their time, skills and materials to provide 16 weeks of free pottery lessons to so many children across the island. They dropped clay at people’s doors, hosted small group Zoom lessons, collected the finished pieces from the participant’s homes, fired them in their studio and returned them to the excited participants. The team even hosted free online pottery parties for children who had birthdays during the lockdown. It was such a fantastic example of our community coming together during a challenging year that we were delighted that they were nominated.
Massive thanks to all of today’s Advent Angels and donors.
Today we’ve delivered to some fabulous local people for our Advent Angels treats.
We weren’t surprised that our first Angel, Carol Callis, was nominated. For years she has held multiple voluntary roles with different local charities and the local Church community, including a bookings clerk for the Community 2000 Hall and as a treasurer for both the Drop In (youth centre) and Portland United Youth Football Club. A big thank from all of us for everything you’ve done Carol. And thank you too to Milli Threadwell for the gorgeous hamper of Avon goodies.
Trish and Eddie Johnson were nominated by their granddaughter Abbii Louise for, ‘Being the type of people who would move mountains to help others.’ We’re told that they have kept their family going despite the struggles of lockdown and Eddie’s health. We hope they enjoy their beautifully handmade Christmas Cake.
Lastly, Peter Vallance, who was nominated by his wife for a treat to show how much she appreciates him and how hard he has worked all year, despite living with a chronic lung problem and constant pain. We’re told he has been a great support at home also and would like to wish them both a cosy, restful Christmas.
Today we were in Underhill for all of our Advent Angels deliveries, surprising local people with treats donated by their community.
First up, Ashley Talbot, who was nominated by her mum as a, ‘Well done, I’m so proud of how you’ve coped through lockdown with four children.’ We were delighted to surprise Ashley with panto tickets, chocolates and fizz.
Next, Alison Purnell – nominated by her friend Nikki for supporting her through one of the most challenging times of her life. Nikki told us she couldn’t have managed without Alison’s warmth, kindness and help – what a fabulous neighbour.
Scott Bradshaw was third on today’s list. He was nominated by his friend Jamie as a, ‘Well done,’ for working so hard through the lockdown periods, starting his new food delivery business and helping those in isolation.
Fourth, Dean O’Hara – nominated by his partner as a, ‘Thank you,’ for all the practical and emotional support he gave her and their children this year while she was unwell. Dean was a real rock, taking over the reigns of family life and keeping everything on track without complaint when she needed it.
Lastly, Mr Tom Hobden. Although we didn’t manage to get a photo of Tom, he seemed very happy with his delivery after being nominated by his wife Tracie to cheer him up at the end of a difficult year in which he unexpectedly lost his brother.
A few more Show Us Your Baubles – Golden Baubles discovered across the Island, including Chesil Beach and the Governor’s Gardens. There are still three more out there, but with a deadline of Wednesday 23rd December to get them into the ICA office you’d better keep your eyes peeled.
Additional baubles, created by local residents, have also been discovered. Brilliant stuff!
