Wednesday 15

Dubai grape enthusiast meet-up
Join fellow connoisseurs for an evening sampling grape-based beverages, making new acquaintances in the process.
Dhs100. From 7.30pm. Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, www.meetup.com/dubai-wine-club (no number).

Foster a cat and help
Feline Friends This local cat-rescue organisation is always looking for volunteers to foster felines, even if only for short periods at a time, to enable it to help more abandoned pets or strays. There are also opportunities to help out by running stalls at regular book sales and in the call centre.
Free. Ongoing. To volunteer to foster a cat, email newvolunteers@felinefriendsdubai.com (no number).

Thursday 16

Buy Al Noor greetings cards
These greetings cards have been designed by special-needs students at Al Noor. To see a catalogue, contact alnoorspneeds@alnooruae.org.
From Dhs3.50. Ongoing. www.alnoorspneeds.ae (04 340 4844).

Community drumming
Head down to Marina Mall every Thursday to take part in family community drum circles and fire dancing. All ages and abilities are welcome to join in, from beginners to experts, and drums are provided.
Free. Thu 6.30pm- 9pm. Ongoing. Ground floor, Dubai Marina Mall (050 659 2874).

Donate unwanted trainers to Soles for Souls
If you have old sneakers kicking around the house, Soles for Soles is taking donations of trainers to give to the UAE’s labourers. Just make sure they’re clean.
Ongoing. Drop-off point: Sun-Thu 9am-6pm, Fortune Promoseven, Office 449, Emarat Atrium, Sheikh Zayed Road. Call Arun (050 457 6873).

Friday 17

Dubai Cares Walk for Education
Take part in a 3km walk along Beach Road to highlight the importance of primary education in breaking the cycle of poverty. Participants can sign up on the day.
Dhs30; free for kids under five. From 9am. Jumeirah Beach Park, www.dubaicares.ae (no number).

Learn Romanian for free
As part of its new extended weekend programme, Eton Institute is inviting people to ‘learn Romanian, the language of vampires’ with its new, free course for beginners throughout February. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first served-basis.
Free. Fri-Sat 3pm-4.30pm. Until March 3. Eton Institute, Knowledge Village, www.eton.ac (800 3866).

Saturday 18

Riding for the Disabled
Lend a hand at riding classes for children and young adults with physical and mental disabilities by leading horses and offering support to riders. No previous experience is necessary – just patience, good humour and commitment. Get in touch via the details below.
Free. Sun-Wed 9am-11.15am. Ongoing. Desert Palm Resort, Al Awir Road, rdadinstructors@live.com (050 716 3779).

Take your recyclables to Emirates Environmental Group’s family day
Every Saturday, EEG encourages families to visit its headquarters on Jumeirah Beach Road to drop off any recyclable household waste, including plastic, aluminium cans, paper and glass.
Free. Open 8.30am-5.30pm. Villa JMR 68 117A, Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 1 (between Dubai Zoo and Beach Centre), www.eeg-uae.org (04 344 8622).

Sunday 19

Do something worthwhile with Friends of Cancer Patients
This local charity raises money, organises awareness campaigns and supports people battling cancer, as well as their families. The group welcomes willing volunteers to help out at events.
Free. Ongoing. Email info@focp.ae to enquire about volunteering opportunities. Corniche Road, Sharjah (06 506 5542).

Monday 20

African djembe and Arabic tabla classes
Drop in to these popular community drumming classes and learn to play the African djembe drum, which the organisers claim is a great way to de-stress. Alternatively, participants can also learn to play the tabla.
Djembe Dhs50 per session, Tabla Dhs60 per session, drums provided. Djembe beginners 7.20pm-8.20pm, regulars 7.40pm-8.40pm, Tabla 8.45pm-9.45pm. Ongoing. Ductac, Mall of the Emirates (056 744 2129).

Donate to charity while doing your shopping
Household brands such as Ariel, Fairy, Always, Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Crest, Oral B, Olay, Camay, Wella and Gillette will donate 3.5 per cent of profit to Special Olympics MENA. The participating brands are identifiable by the White Flame symbol with the banner of ‘Make a Difference’. At supermarkets around town.
For further details, see www.specialolympics.org.

Tuesday 21

Bi-weekly photography meet-up
Emirates Photo Club meets again to compare notes and share tips and ideas. The theme for this week’s meeting is yet to be announced, so keep your eye on the group’s Meet-Up page for more information.
Free. From 7pm. The Pavilion, Emaar Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, www.meetup.com/emiratesphotoclub (no number).

Become a ‘Wish Maker’
Whether you’re an individual, group, school or corporate organisation, donate and fulfil the wish of a child with a terminal illness and turn their dream into reality.
Ongoing. Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE, Humanitarian City (04 368 0217).

Coming up

Hercules Trophy inter-company sports challenge
On February 23, take part in a corporate team-building event and compete in a series of 12 challenges. The winning team walks away with the trophy and everyone gets to join in with the barbecue and entertainment afterwards.
Dhs9,125 per team of five, Dhs9,550 per team of six, Dhs9,975 per team of seven; free for spectators, barbecue Dhs200 per person. 8am-10pm. The Sevens, Al Ain Road (04 391 4791).