Porpoise of Life Productions ltd

Volunteering Appeal

Something a bit different! The Wessex Folk Festival is a much-loved annual event here in Weymouth, celebrating local music, culture, and community spirit. I was happy to be involved in putting together this appeal video for their social media campaign aimed at encouraging more people to sign up as volunteers and get involved.

For this project, I took on a mix of roles including creating and editing the promotional video, presenting on camera, managing and scheduling volunteers, and supporting social media content to help raise awareness. It was a fantastic opportunity to combine creative storytelling with practical organisation, and to support an event that means so much to the local community.

Encountering Wildlife at Sea: Remember PODS

Whether you’re on a paddleboard, powerboat, or personal watercraft, a chance encounter with marine wildlife can be a magical moment. How you respond makes all the difference, for your safety and the animals’. That’s why I created PODS, a simple way to remember responsible behaviour around dolphins, seals, and other wildlife:

• P – Predictable movements: Avoid sudden changes in speed or direction that could startle animals.
• O – Observe and don’t get in between: Watch quietly and never split a group or come between adults and young.
• D – Distance yourself and approach from the side: Give plenty of space, and if approaching, do so slowly from a parallel angle.
• S – Stay for a short time only: Prolonged presence can be stressful — enjoy the moment, then move on.

This guidance is based on best practices from British Divers Marine Life Rescue, the WISE Scheme, Wildlife Trusts, and the RYA GreenBlue, all excellent sources for anyone wanting to learn more about respectful marine wildlife encounters.

Small actions can help reduce stress and disturbance for marine species, and promote safer, more respectful wildlife experiences for everyone.

Dolphins in the Solent

While skippering a recreational trip around the Western Solent and approaches, we were treated to a surprise visit from a pod of dolphins. Conditions were calm, the sea almost glassy, when sleek dorsal fins broke the surface nearby.

Although the anglers on board soon realised the presence of dolphins might make fish harder to come by, the mood remained buoyant. It’s not every day you share the sea with such charismatic marine life, and the encounter quickly became the highlight of the trip.
The waters off the south coast of England, including the Solent and surrounding bays, are rich in marine biodiversity. Sightings like these are a reminder of just how much life our seas support — and how valuable responsible boating and sustainable fishing practices are in helping protect it.

Skomer Island Puffins

Skomer Island, off the coast of Pembrokeshire, is home to one of the UK’s most important puffin colonies, and one of its greatest conservation success stories. Strict limits on visitor numbers and access have helped protect vulnerable seabird habitats from invasive species, and the results are clear.

When I last visited in 2023, the population was estimated at around 42,000 individuals. In 2024, numbers broke records with 43,626 puffins counted. This is a remarkable increase for a species under pressure across much of its range.
Despite this success, puffins still face threats including rising sea temperatures, pollution, and declining stocks of sand eels, their favoured prey. Continued monitoring and marine protection remain vital.
To see puffins for yourself, boat trips run throughout the spring and summer – but you’ll need to book early, as places fill quickly.

The Ripple Effect: How Climate Impacts Our Minds

This video looks at the intertwined challenges of climate change and mental health — two crises that are becoming increasingly urgent. The goal is to capture attention and help viewers feel the connection between our environment and wellbeing, encouraging reflection and action. It’s especially aimed at younger adults, who are often the most impacted by these issues, but the message is important for everyone.