Advent Angels: The people making Portland a better place

Originally launched in 2020 during the pandemic, the scheme has become an annual tradition for Portland residents

A community group has released a list of people who have gone above and beyond to make their island a better place in 2023.

Advent Angels is run by Island Community Action (ICA) and invites residents on Portland, Dorset, to nominate people who have helped others.

A total of 24 people were recognised - one for each day of advent.

Nominees included a woman who knitted a replica of the digestive system to help a blind student pass a biology exam.

George

George even sleeps at his grandparents' house every weekend in case they need him

George, aged 13, helps care for his grandparents daily, especially his grandad, who lives with two types of cancer.

At the end of each school day, George helps by making cups of tea and chatting with them.

His parents, Lisa and Gary, said George always thought about others before himself.

Isabel Sommers

On Christmas Day, Ms Sommers and her team are cooking dinners for people who are alone

Ms Sommers recently started a Mental Health Crisis Intervention Hub, following a career in the police force.

After recognising the value of her own lived experience when working with people processing trauma, she trained as a therapist.

She put her energy, drive, and even personal finances into starting The Sanctuary and has since recruited volunteers, secured funding and created two safe spaces for people to meet.

Matt Blanthorn

Mr Blathorn's group sees people aged 5 to 105 play board games together

A well-loved reception class teacher, Mr Blanthorn helps to run Epic Games Dorset, a community group for table-top board-gamers.

The group provides a safe, welcoming space for people of all ages, genders and abilities to socialise and develop problem-solving skills.

With almost 100 members, Mr Blanthorn has created a space for those with neurodivergence, physical disabilities and those from the LGBTQ+ community to "be themselves".

Jill Couse

Ms Couse has dedicated many hours of volunteering to the Portland community this year

Using her crafting skills, Ms Couse made a knitted version of the digestive system for a GCSE student with visual impairments.

The replica allowed the pupil to understand the shape of the organs and go into their exams feeling more confident.

Ms Couse also volunteers for Island Community Action, taking bookings for community transport and signposting clients to support services.

The knitted replica of the digestive system took hours to make

The organisation's project manager Katy Pascoe said: "Year after year, we're overwhelmed by the incredible community that we feel proud to be a part of.

"It really is a privilege to celebrate some of the wonderful people, who actively contribute to making Portland such a wonderful place to live and work."

Those recognised received a gift basket containing products from local businesses, as a thank-you for their work.

Other 2023 Advent Angels included:

• Deb Gray

• Jill Couse

• The Sugar Loaf Café team

• Jo King

• Dante Audley

• Sara and Dave Farmer

• Lynda Sanders

• Susanne Broughton

• Heather Schofield

• Janet Kench

• Phebe Siddons

• Mrs Wilson

• Rich and Louise Wootten

• Terri Shakespeare

• Hattie

• Ben and Elle Louise Bendall

• Jan Camp

• Carol Wilkie

• Carrie Gibbs and Pauline Gibbs

• Thomas Dogget-Hill

• Sheelagh Donavan