Great workshop, thanks to Simon and Annie from Isle of Portland Orchids and all the lovely people that joined us to learn about these fascinating plants!

In February 2023, Portland’s community came together with members from Dorset’s Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) – made up of the NHS, councils and groups from the community and voluntary sector.

The public meeting, which focused on Portland’s significant health and care challenges, ended with a commitment from the ICP to continue the conversation and work towards improving services for locals.

The ICP are now inviting you back to hear what’s been happening over the last year and their future plans for Portland.

Event will be hosted by Island Community Action (ICA).

Easton Methodist Hall, 7 Reforne, Easton, Portland, DT5 2AL.

The first draw of our Summer of Fun Raffle has taken place for a family ticket to The Dorset Hot Air Balloon & Music Festival taking place at Dorchester Showground Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th May.

Congratulations to Louise, our first winner.

For more incredible experiences, prizes and days out please do consider buying a raffle ticket from our office, or one of these fabulous local businesses supporting us…

The Beehive

Luna Lounge

Porter Tailored Hair Design

Salon 88

White Stones Art Cafe

If you are a local business and would like to get involved, please pop into the office at the Easton Centre, Portland, DT5 1EB (opposite Easton Gardens), give us a call on: 01305 823789 or drop us an email.

Dorset Council are planning Portland’s Family Hub. Let us know what you want by completing the survey.

***WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS***

About Portland’s future offer for its families (babies, children, young people and all who support and care for them).

Following last year’s public Portland Healthcare & Wellbeing meeting in February, Dorset Council have been working with a range of local providers to develop potential Family Hub options for Portland. They are now seeking your feedback on these options and would be grateful if you could take a minute to complete the following survey.

SURVEY HERE

“Family Hubs are welcoming spaces that provide information, advice and support, as well as other activities and social opportunities for families, children, and young people from conception to age 18 (aged 25 for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities).

Family Hubs bring together workers from across Dorset, including Dorset Council, health services, and voluntary/community organisations, ensuring families get the right support where and when they need it.”

FOR INFORMATION

Paper copies are available from ICA’s office (opposite Easton Park) should your prefer this option.

DEADLINE FOR RESPONSES FRIDAY 3RD MAY.

Wow! We had blue skies, warm sun and a fabulous turnout for ICA’s Easter Egg Hunt.

1,366 individual items were distributed to over 500 children during the event – all thanks to the amazing generosity of our wonderful community. You made this a really special occasion and we could not have done it without you.

In particular, we owe a huge thank you to all those who donated their time, efforts and gifts, including:

The fabulous young people from Portland Youth Council, who helped set up, take down and distribute the Easter goodies – Gabe Dalby, Isabel Rowland-Pilgrim, Lillian Jones and Miya-Lei Taylor. Also, Joseph Pascoe and Ruby Saqulain.

The equally fabulous ICA volunteers Dee Riley, Louise Bedford, Paul Oakden + Dan and Charlie Pascoe.

All those who made and/or donated prizes, including:

Our talented Community Crafters who made and donated 200 small knitted egg decorations (each containing a small egg) and 78 large Easter toys (each with one or more smaller eggs).

200 individual cakes donated by Dee Reilly, Di Bedford, Katy Pascoe, Pauline Carlyle and Vicky Hope.

30 hot chocolates and 60 small Easter chocolates donated by Vicky Hope.

Separate fundraising by ICA enabled us to donate a further 80 large eggs, 250 small eggs and 90 mixed Easter treats.

The National Lottery Community Fund for 100 sunflower growing kits.

Here are a few shots of the event, including our Lucky Ducky star prize hamper winner.

We hope those who came, found lucky tokens and received gifts had as much fun as we did.

Happy Easter from the ICA team.

When 16-year-old student Joseph Pascoe, Equalities Lead for Atlantic Academy’s Student Leadership Team, was challenged to create an ‘Equalities Event’ for secondary school students, he pitched the idea of inviting local people into the school to talk about their experiences of living with one of the protected characteristics of the Equalities Act.

Having been an active member of Portland Youth Council, facilitated by local charity Island Community Action (ICA), Joseph knew where to turn for help connecting with his community.

ICA’s CEO, Kim Wilcocks, said, “ICA is committed to delivering training and engagement opportunities for young people in Portland. We also value the chance to celebrate Portland’s diverse communities, particularly as a route to increased community cohesion and reduced isolation and loneliness. So, we were delighted to help Joseph by identifying and coordinating 14 speakers willing to share their knowledge and experience across six of the nine protected characteristics: age, disability, race, religion, gender reassignment, and sexual orientation.”

In addition to ICA and Atlantic Academy, those supporting the event included local residents, Volunteer Centre Dorset and Dorset Council’s Refugee Resettlement Team.

To ensure that each guest’s lived experiences, good and bad, were discussed, Joseph circulated questions in advance, all of which were designed to demonstrate how the challenges individuals face have impacted their lives and also what students and the wider community can do to reduce incidents of marginalisation and discrimination.

Mairead Smith, PSRE Lead at Atlantic Academy Portland said, “We’re really grateful to all of the people who came to be speakers today. We teach the importance of the Equalities Act, but it’s much more powerful to hear the personal stories of people with lived experience. We’ve had some great feedback already, with teachers and pupils reporting that the speakers delivered some really thought provoking presentations.”

Joseph said, “I found all the speakers really interesting, it made me think about how the things I take for granted can be incredibly challenging for others. For example, the difficulties those with disabilities can face accessing everyday services like transport; how challenging life in Dorset can be from an Afghan refugee’s perspective; or how frightening it can be for someone sharing their preferred gender identity with friends and family. It was also really interesting listening to how different life has been for those talking about age, especially how technology, like telephones, has changed the way in which young people communicate and socialise over time.

I hope that the day has helped others to consider their own preconceptions and prejudices. I’d like to thank all the speakers for giving up their time to take part.”

Happy Easter to our wonderful community, including our amazing clients, volunteers, partners and supporters. May you receive all the chocolate, cookies and candy your hearts desire .