Month: September 2025

We are delighted to share the success of Alexander Dakers’ fundraising art exhibition, held on Sunday 31st August at the beautiful Green House Hotel in Bournemouth.

The free event welcomed guests to an inspiring afternoon filled with stunning artwork, drinks, canapés, live music, and a raffle. One of the highlights was the opportunity to see the incredible painting Alexander created live at this year’s Dorset Blind Association Motor Show at Lulworth Castle, alongside his wider body of work that has captivated audiences worldwide.

Thanks to Alexander’s generosity, and the support of everyone who joined us, the event raised over £1,000 to help Dorset Blind Association continue supporting members all across the county living with sight loss.

We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to Alexander, the team at the Green House Hotel, and to all who attended for making this such a memorable occasion.

Arts by the Sea Festival hosts special accessible tour with Dorset Blind Association

 

Dorset Blind Association is delighted to announce an exciting collaboration with Arts by the Sea Festival, bringing a specially designed guided tour for people living with sight loss.

 

Arts by the Sea Festival, Bournemouth’s annual weekend-long celebration of art, culture, and creativity, runs from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th September, offering a vibrant programme of performances, installations, and activities that are free and open to the general public.

 

The free tour will take place on Sunday 28th September, with Festival Public Engagement Officer, Leigh Hayler, leading participants on a sensory, descriptive journey through the highlights of the festival.

 

The experience has been created to ensure that blind and visually impaired people can fully engage with the festival, enjoying its creativity, colour, and atmosphere in an inclusive way.

Sam Baker, Community Relations Officer at Dorset Blind Association, said:

“We’re so pleased to be working with Arts by the Sea, who have gone above and beyond to make the festival welcoming and accessible. Opportunities like this really help break down barriers and allow our members to experience the joy of community events alongside everyone else. We’d especially love to welcome working-age visually impaired people who may not yet be connected to our social groups – this is a brilliant chance to meet others, explore the festival, and find out more about our activities for people of all ages.”

Arts by the Sea is Bournemouth’s annual festival of art, culture and creativity, attracting thousands of visitors every year. It runs from Friday 26th – Sunday 28th Sep. The guided tour marks a positive step in widening accessibility and ensuring more people can benefit from the event.

 

Dorset Blind Association has been providing practical and emotional support for people with sight loss since 1918. The charity supports more than 1,000 visually impaired members across the county and offers community groups, equipment advice, home visits, and much more.

 

Event Details
Date: Sunday 28th September 2025
Time: Tour starts at 10.45am and finishes at 5pm
Location: Arts by the Sea Festival, Bournemouth
Price: FREE to attend

For more information or to book a place, email Heather@dorsetblind.org.uk or visit dorsetblind.org.uk