Dorset Blind held a fantastic drama showcase at The Lighthouse Theatre on 28th March.
Some of our working-age group have been lucky enough to work recently with writer Christine Diment.
What began as some fun drama workshops have fast developed into some beautiful pieces that the group members have written and performed themselves, under the guidance and support of Christine and actors Charmaine and Anna.
The resulting showcase had some wonderful performances from our members. Pieces were brave, personal, thought-provoking and, at times, funny! It was a wonderful evening, which was really popular with the packed audience.
Thank you to the Lighthouse Theatre, Poole for letting us use studio space to rehearse our pieces and for our final performance. And, of course, to Christine, Charmaine and Anna for your fantastic tutelage.
With just over two months to go until Dorset Blind Association returns to Lulworth Castle to host their 7th prestigious annual Motor Show, there is still time for you to book your car entry. Don’t miss this exclusive event within the grounds of the stunning Lulworth Estate on Sunday 21st May, sponsored by Blue Sky Financial Planning and Summit Land and Development.
Entry to the Motor Show has only been on sale since the middle of January, and so far, over 150 cars have already registered for this unique event which is held within the beautiful grounds of Lulworth Castle. The local sight loss charity is grateful for the ongoing opportunity to host the only motor show at Lulworth Castle, offered to them by their president and owner of Lulworth Estate, James Weld. This exclusive event is hugely popular among car owners across the south coast, and advanced booking is recommended in order to secure your place.
Entry is only £12 per person and by registering for this exclusive event you will receive a breakfast roll and hot drink at registration, Dorset tour entry and route information, castle showground display and exclusive entry to Lulworth Castle.
Classic, sport and supercar owners are invited to join this hugely popular event. Kicking off with a 20-mile ‘Dorset Tour’, sponsored by Summit Land & Development, car enthusiasts will take to the roads of Lulworth at 10:30 am, touring the beautiful local countryside and returning to the Castle estate to join the majestic showground display. The showground will be open, free of charge, to the general public from 11:00 am, offering a family fun day with live music, kids’ entertainment, food stalls and local craft stalls.
A representative from Summit Land and Developments, sponsors of the Dorset Tour and Supercar Display, says, “The entire team here at Summit Developments are honoured to be one of the main sponsors for this years’ Dorset Blind Association Motor Show. We attended last year as visitors and this year we are proud to sponsor and display vehicles at the Supercar section. Dorset Blind Association is a fantastic charity to be involved with and we plan to continue supporting them for many years to come.”
Places are limited and expected to sell out, so make sure you register soon to avoid any disappointment. Entries will not be accepted on the day, so booking in advance is essential.
By supporting the charity’s flagship event, not only will you have a fantastic day out, you will be helping visually impaired people across Dorset to reduce loneliness and isolation through the services that Dorset Blind Association can continue to offer.
If you would like to support Dorset Blind Association by volunteering either at the event or in support of the charity’s services, please get in touch with Sam at fundraising@dorsetblind.org.uk or call 01202 712865.
Motor Entries will close on Sunday, 23rd April, or before if spaces have sold out.
Our mission is to ensure that everything we do makes life better for people living with sight loss in Dorset, and their families. We provide practical help and emotional support to enable people with sight loss to stay healthy and happy. We have been caring for people since 1918 and now help over 1,000 people every month, county-wide.
Without amazing volunteers like you, we cannot provide all our essential services effectively. Our volunteers fill critical roles, from home visitors, phone buddies, drivers and companions to shop workers and event staff. Without our volunteers, a huge amount of what we do would simply not be possible. And the volunteers themselves gain too, with almost all gaining a sense of accomplishment and feeling that their volunteering makes a positive difference to their own lives.
We have a role to suit you, however much time you have, whatever your age and wherever you live!
Please contact Jo@dorsetblind.org.uk or call 01202 712865
Sight Advice FAQ answers questions about living with sight loss, eye health or being newly diagnosed with a sight condition. This includes those who are supporting people through their sight loss journey, including parents, partners, carers and friends.
Sight Advice FAQ was designed collaboratively with other sight loss sector organisations and was launched two years ago and answers questions about living with sight loss, eye health or being newly diagnosed with a sight condition. This includes those who are supporting people through their sight loss journey, including parents, partners, carers and friends.
There is information around coronavirus, including shopping, being guided safely and accessing medical needs. There is other information in the FAQ on topics such as
We are so excited to announce our brand new appointment of a Community Relations Officer!
Samantha Baker takes on our newly created role here at Dorset Blind Association with a brief to raise our profile whilst engaging with and supporting our community relationships. She comes with a wealth of experience in marketing and media publishing and has supported the local community for the best part of 6 years since moving to the area.
DBA’s CEO, Jonathan Holyhead, commented on the new appointment: “We are thrilled that Samantha is joining us. It’s another positive step for Dorset Blind Association and I am confident that, over time, she will make a huge contribution to our continued growth and development” Welcome to the team, Samantha!
Volunteers from Dorset Blind Association combined work and play when they were invited by Jamie and Xanda of The Sandford Pub to benefit from the Sandfest family event on Saturday 31 July.
Whilst the Battle of the Bands played out Dorset Blind Association made over £400 from a raffle and kind donations. Great music, good food and sunshine. A brilliant day out for all the family!
Our thanks to the many businesses who supported the raffle including, Haskins Garden Centre Ferndown, Waitrose & Partners in Parkstone, Indi’s Restaurant in Westbourne, The Cliff Pub in Canford Cliffs, and Tesco at Poole Branksome, among others. We couldn’t do it without you!
Isn’t it great to see friends and colleagues face to face again? We thought so as we held an outdoor away day for all the staff and trustees hosted by The Sandford Pub a few weeks ago.
It was an incredible opportunity to actually meet some new additions to the service team, who were treated to the joys of a DBA and Dorset themed quiz by our CEO, Jonathon Holyhead.
It’s rare that staff from the charity shops, office, Specialist Equipment and Community Support Workers have a chance to meet up and catch up with what they are all doing, especially on a breezy summer day over a pub lunch. We are very grateful to those who sponsored the event!
Can you help by volunteering? Our members are so excited that we are resuming in person meetings but volunteers are needed to help our members get together and interact safely!
Book Group – one volunteer required to assist with meeting members at the bus station in Poole, assisting members at the Eco Hub in the Dolphin Centre and participating in a discussion about each month’s book. Commitment: last Friday of every month 10.30-12.30. Travel expenses paid.
Bournemouth and Poole Coffee Morning – volunteer drivers needed to drive members from their homes across Bournemouth and Poole to / from The Grasshopper in Parkstone. Commitment: first Tuesday of every month 10-12. Mileage paid.
Bournemouth and Poole Coffee Morning – one volunteer needed with administrative experience to coordinate transport for members to / from the coffee morning. Commitment: 3 hours per month prior to the first Tuesday of every month.
On 24th September, the Book Group will start meeting in person again. We will meet between 10.30am-12.30pm at the Eco Hub in The Dolphin Shopping Centre.
Each month we listen to a book via a USB stick in the comfort of our own home. Then on the last Friday of each month we get together to chat about the book.
We all have our own opinions! If you would like to join the Book Group, please get in touch with Heather on 07936 749502.
