The Dolphin Centre’s GATHER events hub is preparing to host a variety of community-based mindful events throughout the remainder of August and September, which focus on a range of topics and interests including mental health, self-care, and fitness.

Carmen Moore, Community Manager at the Dolphin Centre, said: “We work hard to ensure that GATHER’s offering continues to be vast and appeals to a variety of different people across the county. We deliberately seek out workshops, exhibitions and events which cover a broad range of topics from history, social media to both mental and physical health.

“Since we launched our GATHER concept last year, it has allowed the team at the centre to reach and connect with more members of our community. Part of the future vision for the Dolphin is for it to evolve to become more than just a traditional shopping centre; we already feel that we are providing such a valuable resource for the county to both engage with and learn from.”

Bonnie Lass Coaching (BLS) is running a series of wellness workshops throughout August and September, led by a qualified Holistic Health & Wellness Coach. The sessions incorporate simple craft activities to help participants rediscover their inner creativity, relax and cultivate mindful awareness.

A children’s rock painting class is taking place on Friday 26th August from 11am-5pm, costing £3 per child. This mindfulness activity is designed to promote the concept of giving and sharing. No pre-booking is required.

On Friday 23rd September, a ‘My Positive Plants’ workshop will take place from 11am-5pm. Participants will learn about the health benefits of keeping houseplants and also design and create a plant pot to take home as a reminder to make health and wellness a priority. The session cost varies between £3-£10 per person depending on the size of the chosen plant. All equipment and materials are included in this price and no pre-booking is required.

On the 1st, 15th and 29th of September at 7pm, GATHER is hosting a series of ‘Prosecco and Painting’ workshops. Join the group for a glass of bubbles and get creative by practising different styles of painting - no previous painting experience is required. Tickets cost £20 per person, please visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/paint-prosecco-tickets-362895990677 to pre-book your place.

The Mind My Art charity encourages creativity as a self-therapeutic tool, to allow people to express their feelings. The charity holds public exhibitions for participants to showcase their artwork and reinforce their confidence and self-belief. Their latest project takes place at GATHER, running from Saturday 17th to Monday 19th September, with the theme ‘all lives are beautiful’. To take part, please get in touch directly via: info@mindmyartcharity.org .

Every Monday and Tuesday throughout August, Recreate with R is hosting eight upcycling craft sessions for all the family with two hour-long sessions per day, one at 10.15am and 11.30am. All upcycling materials are provided, and sessions can be booked via recreatewithr@gmail.com .

Dorset Bowen will be offering an all-day walk-in pain clinic on Friday 19th August. The ‘Bowen Technique’ is a gentle holistic treatment that consists of sequences of small moves, each at a specific site on the body and can be done through clothing. For £5 attendees can drop in for a starter session which includes a mini-consultation and a mini hands-on treatment.

GATHER is open seven days a week from 9am-5.30pm and is located opposite Beales on the ground floor of the centre. To host an event in GATHER, please contact: gather@dolphinshoppingcentre.co.uk.

To find out more about what’s on at GATHER, please follow @DolphinShoppingCentre on Facebook and @thedolphinpoole on Instagram.