Category: News

Studland, Dorset – On Monday 9 June, Dorset-based adventure company Land & Wave delivered an unforgettable guided kayaking experience for members of the Dorset Blind Association, taking visually impaired participants on a journey along the stunning Studland coastline to Old Harry Rocks.

The event saw six visually impaired adventurers paired with six trained Land & Wave instructors, who acted as sighted guides on double sit-on-top kayaks. Together, the pairs paddled through the tranquil waters of Studland Bay, experiencing the iconic Jurassic Coast in a truly immersive way.

“This was a fantastic opportunity for our instructors to develop a deeper understanding about how to provide a fantastic immersive adventure for people who are visually impaired,” said Rosie Tanner, Director at Land & Wave. “Adventure should be for everyone, and this trip showed the power of inclusive experiences in the great outdoors.”

This was the second event Land & Wave has delivered in collaboration with the Dorset Blind Association. In 2024, the team took Amar Latif (blind adventurer, BBC One Show presenter, and Celebrity MasterChef contestant), rock climbing at Dancing Ledge as part of a fundraising campaign for the charity.

Sam Baker, Community Relations Officer, Dorset Blind Association said, “Our members had an incredible day—many had never tried kayaking before, and to do so in such a beautiful setting with expert, supportive instructors was truly special. We’re so grateful to Land & Wave for making adventure accessible and creating unforgettable memories.” 

By providing bespoke adventures and training their team to act as guides, Land & Wave continues to advocate for equality, diversity, and accessibility in outdoor activities. The organisation is committed to developing their instructors’ skillsets, ensuring that disabilities are not a barrier to enjoying nature and challenging oneself through adventure.

“There were smiles, laughter and real connections being made out on the water,” added Rosie, “It was a reminder that the outdoors can—and should—be a space where everyone belongs.”

We’re still buzzing from this year’s Dorset Blind Association Motor Show—and it’s time to thank the brilliant local businesses who made our charity raffle such a highlight.

The raffle plays a key role in our fundraising on the day—helping us continue to support blind and partially sighted people across Dorset—and it simply wouldn’t be possible without the kind-hearted support of our local community.

We were thrilled to receive a brilliant range of raffle prizes this year, generously donated by the following businesses:

• Studland Watersports & Sauna Hut – Private sauna session for up to six people
• Elegant Clinic – £100 voucher
• Knoll House – tea for two
• Fili’s restaurant – £50 voucher
• The Crown Hotel, Blandford – lunch for two
• David Lloyd Poole – Family weekend pass
• Vanilla Hair Salon – Cut and blow dry, and neck/shoulder massage
• B&Q, Christchurch – Air fryer
• Sculpture by the lakes – 2 day passes
• Lyfe health – massage
• The Libertine – 3 course meal for 2 with wine
• Brownsea Island – family pass
• Poole Harbour Watersports – paddleboard hire for 2
• Castle Inn, Lulworth – £50 vouchers
• Parkstone Chiropractic – sports massage
• Compton Acres – Family pass

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to: HK Law, Ludere Studio, Howards Motor Group, Johnsons Cleaners, The Village Vine, Tesco, Iceland, Rick Stein, Sandbanks, Maravi coffee, Mabel and Jacks, House of Heels and Saltrock for their wonderful contributions of additional prizes.

Each donation helped make our raffle table a highlight of the event—and every ticket purchased supports our vital work across the county.

We encourage our supporters to show their appreciation in return. Whether it’s booking a table, popping into a shop, or recommending a service to friends, your support helps these generous businesses continue doing what they do best.

Thank you once again to all our prize donors—and to everyone who bought a ticket!

Lulworth Castle, Dorset – May 19, 2025

The Dorset Blind Association is delighted to announce that its 9th annual Motor Show, held on Sunday, May 18th, 2025, at Lulworth Castle, has achieved its biggest fundraising total to date – raising over £37k

More than 6,000 visitors came through the gates to enjoy a spectacular display of vehicles, vibrant entertainment, local food and drink, and over 50 retail and charity stalls. This year the show welcomed a record-breaking 280 vehicles, from vintage and classic models to luxury supercars, drawing motoring enthusiasts from across the South.

The continued success of the Motor Show is only possible thanks to the incredible generosity of its supporters. Special thanks go to this year’s Platinum sponsors, Blue Sky Financial Planning, and Supercar sponsors, Daizun, whose contributions were vital to the event’s success. Also playing a key role in this year’s show were Porsche Centre Bournemouth, who partnered with Blue Sky to bring an incredible line-up of Porsches to the display field, adding to the show’s prestige and excitement.

“We are absolutely blown away by the response to this year’s Motor Show,” said Sam Baker, Event Organiser and Community Relations Officer at Dorset Blind Association. “The atmosphere was electric, and the support we’ve had from volunteers, car owners, sponsors and the local community has been overwhelming. These funds will help us continue providing vital services to blind and partially sighted people across Dorset.”

Entertainment on the day included performances by Jitterbug Jive, the Just Sing Choir, The Land Girls, Miss Lisa Locarno, and the Bournemouth Carnival Band, alongside circus fun and children’s activities provided by Jamie Jigsaw.

As the Motor Show continues to grow in reputation and reach, the team is already looking ahead to its 10th anniversary event in 2026 with the date set to be announced very soon.

For more information about the Dorset Blind Association and how you can support their work, visit www.dorsetblind.org.uk

Thank you for helping to support people living with sight loss in Dorset.

Images courtesy of Yuugen Visuals.

About Dorset Blind Association:
The Dorset Blind Association has been providing practical and emotional support to blind and partially sighted people across Dorset since 1918. Their services are essential to the local community, especially with over 30,000 people in Dorset living with serious sight loss. Proud recipients of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, DBA helps people come to terms with sight loss and continue leading full, independent lives.

Dorset Blind Association is delighted to receive a generous £1,500 donation from Care South’s Community Fund, which supports community groups and organisations that benefit Care South’s residents, care-at-home clients, and staff.

The donation recognises the important work DBA does in supporting visually impaired people, including residents in Care South homes, by providing guidance, equipment, and social connections to help them live independently and with confidence.

Phil Smith, Care South’s Director of Residential Care, and Charlotte Mitchell, Resident Activities and Lifestyle Lead, presented the award to Heather McCracken, DBA’s Community Support Worker for Bournemouth and Poole, and Sam Baker, Community Relations Officer, at Alexandra House care home in Poole.

Heather McCracken said:
“We are very grateful to Care South for this generous award. It will help us continue supporting people with visual impairments, providing vital services and connections. Seeing the positive impact on residents like Ann is wonderful, and we look forward to working together.”

Phil Smith added:
“We are delighted to support Dorset Blind Association through the Care South Community Fund, as their work is invaluable in ensuring that residents with visual impairments feel supported and empowered to live safely in our care homes. At Care South, we strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for all our residents, and partnerships like this help us enhance their quality of life.”

Alexandra House resident Ann, who is severely sight impaired, shared her experience:
“Dorset Blind Association has been marvellous over the past eight years, including when I was living at home and would join their book club and monthly meetings. I feel much safer living at Alexandra House than at home, as the flooring is level and there are rails for me to hold onto if I need them.”

About Care South and Alexandra House

Alexandra House care home provides residential, respite, and dementia care with a dedicated activities team who create a daily programme of events to bring residents together to socialise and build friendships.

Care South is a leading provider of high-quality residential and home care services across the South of England. As a registered charity and not-for-profit organisation, it operates care homes in Dorset, Devon, Somerset, and West Sussex, along with care-at-home services covering East and West Dorset, North East Somerset, and South Somerset.

Dorset Blind Association is incredibly grateful for this donation and looks forward to strengthening its partnership with Care South to continue improving the lives of visually impaired individuals in our community.

👉 To learn more about our work or get involved, visit www.dorsetblind.org.uk

We would like to thank the Christchurch Magdalen Trust for their invaluable support over the past year. Their generosity has made a significant difference in the lives of visually impaired residents in Christchurch by funding two essential initiatives: the Christchurch social club and the establishment of an Equipment Library.

The Trust provided £3,266 to help sustain our Christchurch social clubs, which have been a lifeline for local residents. The funding enabled us to cover transport and hire costs, ensuring that members could continue to access a welcoming space to connect, share experiences, and enjoy much-needed companionship. Feedback from members, like Sylvia Young, highlights the impact of the club:

“The club is a lifeline for me. I don’t get out much now, so being able to go to the club is a real highlight. I have made some great friends and found it helpful to talk to others who are struggling with similar things.”

In addition, the Trust awarded £5,000 to establish an Equipment Library, allowing members to borrow assistive devices such as magnifiers, lamps, and audiobook players. One recipient, Jan, shared how a Victor Stratus player has transformed her daily life:

“I use the player every day to listen to audiobooks. The buttons are easier to see, so I don’t accidentally skip chapters anymore. It’s made such a difference to me.”

Thanks to the Christchurch Magdalen Trust’s funding, we have been able to enhance independence, reduce isolation, and improve the quality of life for our members.

We are truly grateful for this partnership and the positive impact it has made in our community. We look forward to the possibility of working together again in the future to continue supporting Christchurch residents with sight loss.

If you’d like to learn more about our Christchurch services or the Equipment Library, please contact us at 01202 712 865