Half Term in Poole: Five Days of Things to Do at The Dolphin

Half term runs from Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October. That is five days to fill, one Halloween to get ready for and a last chance to drop something in the Caretober box before it closes.

Here is what is happening at The Dolphin.

A quieter start on Sunday

Sensory Sunday falls on 25 October, 10am to 5pm. The Dolphin and its retailers dim the lights and turn the music down to make the centre easier for shoppers who experience sensory sensitivity. It runs on the last Sunday of every month. If the thought of half term shopping in a full centre is a lot, this is the morning to do it.

The week at GATHER

GATHER has something on almost every day. Coeliac UK are in on Saturday 24 October and the Poole Baby Event follows on Sunday 25 October.

Beyond Adversity, a Ukrainian art exhibition by UACT, runs Monday 26 to Thursday 29 October, 10am to 4pm daily.

From Waste to Worth lands on Friday 30 October, 10am to 4pm. It is a free hands on drop in workshop from Bournemouth University, part of the national Festival of Social Science, looking at waste, creativity and what everyday things are really worth during the cost of living crisis. It is led by Dr Sukanya Ayatakshi-Endow of Bournemouth University Business School. Open to all, no experience needed and no need to book.

The week closes with The Bubba Hub preloved buggy and stroller sale on Saturday 31 October, 10am to 4pm.

Halloween in one stop

Hollywood Fancy Dress has the costumes, the wigs and the bits that get forgotten until the night before. Plans change on the Thursday. They usually do. It helps that it is all in one place.

HMV has reopened after its refit, which gives somebody somewhere to go while the rest of the family argues about a cape.

Lunch that suits everyone

STREET FOOD covers the week without anyone having to agree on one thing. The carvery at Clipper, Wenzels for something quick and Betsy Licious, the newest addition, for a sweet one on the way out.

The last week of Caretober

Caretober closes on 31 October. Pick up one extra toiletry or pampering product while you shop and drop it in the box in the mall opposite Starbucks. Everything must be new and sealed.

Every item goes to MYTIME Young Carers, the Poole charity supporting young people aged 5 to 25 who look after a family member or a loved one. A face mask or a body lotion is a small thing on its own. For someone whose week is spent thinking about somebody else, it is half an hour that belongs to them.