Great to see so many representatives from Portland’s Voluntary and Community Sector groups at the two recent Essential First Aid courses we’ve organised locally.

Thanks to St John Ambulance – Portland Division for having us.

September’s volunteer is Stella.

Stella received a beautiful orchid, donated by Lorna from Pebble Beach Florist.

Stella volunteers at Portland Museum to help with the collections management and outreach of the Earl of Abergavenny collection and runs the museum once a week, too.

Stella has a great desire to share knowledge on local history which she so readily gathers from sources at the museum and all over the country on her many visits to archives and heritage centres.

It’s this desire to seek out new information and share it with the community that makes her so invaluable to Portland!

Thank you Stella from everyone at Portland Museum, Island Community Action and your local community.

Aged 11 to 16 and living on Portland? This could be your opportunity to make a big difference for young people across the Island.

Portland Town Council are creating its first youth council.

You don’t have to be an expert on politics – anyone can give it a go. You just need to feel passionately about the Island and improving life for its young people.

Those applying will get the chance to take part in workshops to help them create their manifesto and election campaign.

Those who are successful, will receive training and support from Portland Town Council and ICA across a wide range of different areas.

To apply, click here and complete both the application and consent forms (located at the bottom of the page). Instructions on how to apply are in the forms.

***TICKETS ON SALE NOW***

Dorset’s premier Halloween fright fest is back for its fourth year.

Nothe of the Living Dead: Into the Underworld promises a host of new scares and challenges…

When a group of redundant and resentful world leaders combine forces to open a portal between earth and the underworld, all hell is unleashed.

In the words of the two most ruthless leaders of all, Ronald Dump and Norris Blondeson, “If our bad hair ain’t good enough, let the masses fry!”

Have you got what it takes to battle your way through the Nothe’s web of tunnels, infested with fiendish clowns, demons and creatures of the dead? Can you overcome the physical and mental challenges awaiting you in order to crack the codes and close the portal? Or will you simply become the barbeque snack in a bubbling buffet of doom!

Find out on the 28th and 29th October.

***VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY***

Nothe of the Living Dead is back and this time we’re taking on the underworld.

Can you help us deliver our mission?

We’re looking for adult volunteers (14-17yrs accepted with accompanying adults in limited role locations) to create and dress-up in full horror regalia (the nastier the better) to scare the living daylights out of participants at our annual Nothe of the Living Dead Fright Night this Halloween at the Nothe Fort.

Zombies, demons, clowns and ghouls are all welcome, BUT, whatever you opt for, it’s got to be full blown realistic – super scary enough to terrify and torment even the coolest competitor (while you hold back the tears of laughter)!

If you need some inspiration, a special effects makeup masterclass will be available prior to the event.

This is your chance to be part of something frightastic! Come with friends or on your own (as a new member of the event team). Best of all, you’ll be helping to raise money for three great local charity groups.

Complete the Volunteer Application Form here. Alternatively, contact ICA’s Katy Pascoe directly for more information (just mention NotLD Volunteer in your message).

The event is collaboration between local charities the Nothe Fort, Island Community Action (ICA) and EPIC Games Dorset.

The event will run on the 28th and 29th October.

Souvenirs of Place and Love, a collaboration between ICA and b-side , is all about celebrating the things Portlanders hold most dear to their hearts.

The project ran earlier this year and will culminate in an amazing public exhibition of ceramics and sound at the St. George’s Centre this coming week and weekend. We’d love to see you there.

Find out more here.

The project was funded by the Arts Council England’s Let’s Create Platinum Jubilee Fund through the Dorset Community Foundation.

August’s volunteer is Paul West.

Paul was nominated by Wendy for the incredible amount of work, time, effort and energy he has put into helping to run The Portland Shed over the last year.

Like us, Wendy felt Paul deserved some recognition and a small treat to show how much our local community appreciate what he’s doing.

Massive thanks Paul, from all at ICA and the wider community.

Introducing our fabulous befriending volunteer, Raymer Atkins.

Throughout September, Raymer will be walking a mile every day in support of Dementia UK.

There’s no specific fundraising page set up for her efforts, but anyone wishing to support her can donate directly or give her a wave as you see her trekking round the Island.

Can you help with ICA’s first Yarn Bombing event?

Wild ‘n’ Woolly is a giant nature themed woolly wonder will be wandering its way across Portland over the next year.

The project, created from hundreds of hand crafted plants and animals, aims to highlight nature’s beauty and encourage more people to care for and protect their local environment and biodiversity.

To date, 46 residents have contributed to its creation. The youngest is Grace Hawkins, aged 13. The oldest is Joan Westman, aged 95. The project has also been supported by Royal Manor Workshops (Friday Craft Group).

The first location for the installation will be Atlantic Academy. It will stay here throughout September, where it will form part of the student’s wildlife garden and the upcoming  b-side festival.

We will be adding to the original piece over the coming months. If you fancy getting involved, contact Katy Pascoe at the ICA office on 01305 823789 (opening hours – 10am to 2pm, Monday to Friday), message us via Facebook or contact us here.

Wild ‘n’ Woolly is part of ICA’s Community Crafters project, which aims to reduce levels of local isolation and loneliness through community-based crafting activities that enable and encourage people across all generations to get creative together, whether at home, in groups or at specially organised events.

This month we have a double promotion, covering June and July’s Volunteer of the Month awards.

June’s volunteer was Annette Sellen.

Annette was nominated for Volunteer of the Month by the Get Together Club she runs on a weekly basis.

Annette has been described as generous with her time when others are in need and a great motivator to get everyone exercising and socialising.

July’s volunteer was Chris Hunt.

Chris was nominated by his neighbours. They describe him as an absolute gentleman, who goes out of his way to help those around him and never asks for anything in return for his good deeds. They felt it was about time he had some recognition and thanks for his efforts.

We second those thoughts. Congratulations and appreciation to you both from your community and everyone at ICA for the time, energy and passion you put into supporting others.

Massive thanks also to Lorna from Pebble Beach Florist for generously donating the beautiful lilies for Chris.