It’s #VolunteersWeek2020 – time for us to say a massive thank you to all of our volunteers here at ICA. 

Your are truly our most precious asset and there has never been a better time to stand-up and applaud the commitment and energy you show each and every time you step-up and support our community. 

We can’t wait for the day we can all get together and share a glass or two (or three or four) to toast you all! 

In the meantime, what about a few photos to celebrate your work – we’ll be posting more over the next few days.

This week’s winners:

• The Gover family, for their continued work for the community and families during really difficult times.
• The staff team in the Coop, Easton who have continued to be good humoured, helpful and present throughout the lockdown.

Not only a fantastic way to support ICA’s services for older, vulnerable residents and those impacted by the coronavirus, you could also win yourself a year’s worth of fruit and veggies. Just log on to the Giving Lottery website, select Play (top of page) and search for ICA.

Our star winners for week four of Caketastic are:

• Lisa Hasler, a nurse working with patients battling cancer at DCH and then coming home to care for her own parents who have been ill.
• Sophie Braund, a domiciliary carer who goes above and beyond for the vulnerable clients she supports locally.
• The staff at Fortuneswell Coop, who were nominated by four separate people for their friendly, caring approach when helping their customers during this difficult time.
• The staff at St George’s Primary School, who have kept working to care for key worker’s children (they won’t get their cakes until they are back at school after a well deserved half term break).

Thank you to them all and to our wonderful volunteer Amy Roff for baking these delicious treats (and to her mum Anne for delivering them).

Thanks to everyone that nominated people for this week’s cake delivery. We had so many worthy entries that our wonderful volunteer Amy agreed to double the winners this week to four! The winners are:

• Mark Etheridge, for his lockdown birthday whilst battling bowel cancer.
• Chloe, nominated by mum Lisa Dunnes, for coping so well during lockdown on her 19th birthday.
• Hannah Fagan, a newly qualified nurse who has moved out of home to protect her husband who has been ill, missing their first wedding anniversary.
• The staff at Fortuneswell Boots chemist, who have been marvellous to so many.

Thank you and Happy Birthday to them from all of the team at ICA.

We have the pleasure of announcing the inspirational winners for our second week of cake deliveries…

Charlie Spence who’s missing his twin brother whilst he’s in hospital.

Jess and Bo Johnson who raised a whopping £450 for ICA following a recent haircutting fundraiser.

Julia Davey’s family who are preparing for her to go to Southampton Hospital for her second major operation after finishing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 

If you would like to nominate a friend, colleague, neighbour, volunteer or family member to receive a delicious home made treat, delivered right to their door, please just like the ICA Facebook page and leave a comment on the ***Caketastic Week 2*** thread.

All nominations to be made by 12 noon on Friday 15th May.

First winners for the lockdown cake run were the Talbot family (nominated by Ashley Talbot) and the Weston Coop team (nominated by Jane Long). 

Massive thanks to Amy Roff and family for baking and delivering the winning creations. They look absolutely lovely. 

If you weren’t successful this time or would like to nominate someone new, all you need to do is:
1. Like the ICA Facebook page (search for Island Community Action)
2. Make a comment on the original post, including the name of the person you’re nominating and why you’ve nominated them. 
3. Make this comment by Friday 8th May, 12 noon.

As this week, we’ll draw the winning name randomly and get back to you by 2pm on that same Friday. We’ll then provide an updated post each week, fresh for your new nominations.

Time to celebrate. 

Over the next few weeks, ICA volunteer, Amy Roff, will be baking some special treats for local residents – big thanks for that Amy. 

In order to ensure we reach a wide range of people, we would like you to nominate the recipients of these treats.

Perhaps it’s someone’s birthday or anniversary. Maybe someone has gone that extra mile for you or the community, from a key worker to child who’s worked really hard to complete their school work or help out at home. 

Whatever the reason, all you need to do is:
1. Like the ICA Facebook page (search for Island Community Action)
2. Make a comment on the original post, including the name of the person you’re nominating and why you’ve nominated them. 
3. Make this comment by Friday, 12 noon each week.

We’ll draw the winning name randomly and get back to you by 2pm on that same Friday. We’ll then provide an updated post each week, fresh for your new nominations. 

NB: At the moment, due to shortages, all cakes will be made of gluten free ingredients.

Here’s a little more about Amy, in her own words…

“My name is Amy. I’m 39 years old and having to ‘shield’ at the moment due to having long term health conditions that make me vulnerable to Covid-19. I really wanted to do something to help others during this time, so I contacted the ICA to see if I could cook for people. 

ICA suggested cake baking to say thank you to all the people helping others in the community and I jumped at the idea.

I have been baking since I was a teenager. I have always loved cooking and the joy it brings to others. I have made cakes for parties, church coffee mornings, family and for charity.  I have to keep to strict gluten free diet myself so also specialise in making cakes which are allergy friendly. I have got my food Hygiene Level 2 and my Food Allergy Awareness qualifications.

I am really excited about having the opportunity to say thank you to our local heroes and I hope I will be able to bring a smile to people’s faces during this challenging time.“

Please consider supporting the very brave Jess Johnson as her and daughter Bo raises funds to support local, Portland based charity Island Community Action – ICA.

Jess has agreed to let 10 year old Bo cut her hair, BUT only if she gets enough community support behind her. Personally, we think Jess would look great with a very short bob. If you agree, it would be absolutely fantastic if you could let Bo know by giving a donation to ICA (to help us continue providing support during the current crisis).

The question is…will they still be smiling after the Bo Scissorhands has done her work?