Crowds braved the wet weather to learn more about the work of voluntary, community and charitable organisations, as well as the local council.

Weymouth Town Council held its Community Expo on the seafront next to the Jubilee Clock on Saturday, May 18.

The event was an opportunity for people to learn more about and volunteer for organisations based in the town.

The event is a twist on the council’s annual town meeting and people also had the opportunity to find out more about council services and projects.

Dorset Echo: Dorset Kidney Patients Association support anyone suffering from a kidney related condition and dialysis in Dorset.

The trust’s chair, Marcus Frith, said: “Around 115,000 people in Dorset have a chronic kidney issue, and more than 500 people require dialysis three times a week and it’s our job to support them whatever their needs are, and to give advice and opportunity for people to meet and connect with each other.”

Mr Frith is also the chief executive of the group Community Share, who had a stall giving away free books to the community. 

Dorset Echo: Chair of the Weymouth Foodbank, Jean-Paul Dervley said: “The work we do is very important, we help around 300 people a week in Weymouth.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the community who give either through food donations or financially.

“We just want to raise awareness that we are here as there is still that stigma that people don’t want t come but if they need it, we are here."

Dorset Echo: Alison Taylor of the Weymouth Street Pastors, who patrol the streets of the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights, said: “We’re there for anyone when a night does not go to plan. We’re always recruiting for more volunteers.”

They carry a host of equipment to help those in need including water bottles and flip-flops. 

Volunteers interested in becoming a street pastor must be over the age of 18 and be part of a local church.

Dorset Echo: Cathy Oborne of the independent charity, Age UK North South and West Dorset, explained their work in supporting people in the elderly community.

Dorset Echo: Alan Chambers of Weymouth Town Council spoke about the work at Tumbledown Farm, a 27-acre plot of land off Radipole Lane designed to be a community asset.

He said: “It’s about making these activities more accessible and getting people outdoors, growing food which we sell or give away- for example we made soup in the winter and donated it to local warm hubs.”

The farm will have a stall in August offering its jams and chutneys.

Dorset Echo: Sophie Roberts, a trustee at the Will Mackaness Trust, said: “We are a local charity who give water sport opportunities to young people in Weymouth and Portland.

“This includes swimming lessons, supporting schools, giving them confidence.

“It’s so nice to see people bracing the weather and to spread the word of the work we do.”

Dorset Echo: Ryan Hope, president of the Weymouth and Portland Lions Club, said: “We’re proud to be supporting this event for the past three years and remind the public of what the Lions do, as well as networking with others on how we can help support local charities."

Dorset Echo: Irene Carney of the ReadEasy South Dorset branch, said: “We are a free charity, offering one-on-one coaching for people who cannot read.

“It’s most difficult for people to say they need help with reading."

Contact Irene on 07490 757756 for more information on the charity.