GOOD News: 16th June

Monday’s announcement that social distancing measures will continue is understandable and does mean many local groups and events will have to wait a little longer to resume but there is still a great deal to be positive about.

In the last week we’ve been pleased to support several groups looking to start up again and the network of community partners remains very active.

‘Dare to Care’ is a free 12-week training programme being piloted across Lancashire and South Cumbria for unpaid carers, including young carers aged 16-18 years.

It’s an opportunity to develop new skills, receive training certificates and build confidence to become a volunteer and potentially job-ready for a career in the care sector.20 volunteers are being recruited to participate in the two schemes launching in Fleetwood and Blackpool. If you are an unpaid carer and are interested in joining the pilot, or a care home that would like to take part, please contact Healthwatch - telephone 01524 239100 or email faye.smith@healthwatchcumbria.co.uk

We’re now working with a number of partner organisations from the Community Information Centre at the Affinity Outlet.

Julie and Helen from Macmillan Cancer Support are with us every Tuesday for a drop-in session to answer any questions you may have and this week Mark from Lancashire Volunteer Partnership was able to let visitors know about volunteering opportunities.

Looking ahead … on Tuesday 22nd we’ll be joined by staff from Lancashire Adult Learning who will be recruiting for upcoming courses including places on the Lancashire Lifesavers.

As part of the activities leading up to Armed Forces Day, we’ll be opening an extra day on Wednesday 23rd and Claire from Age UK (Lancashire) will be attending to share information on the Removing Barriers program of support for Veterans.

The Light Lounge from Richmond Fellowship has been providing great support to individuals struggling with life’s challenges and their mental health - they will be with us on Friday 25th. Please call in if you or somebody you know would benefit from their help.

Healthier Fleetwood has also been working closely with Leftcoast on two forthcoming events ...

It was wonderful to see some of the pieces of work coming into the Leftcoast’s workshop last week for publicity photographs ahead of the ‘Inside Out Exhibition’ at Fleetwood Hospital ... like these wonderful knitted worry dolls!

The event starts on the 22nd June running through until 17th July - you can find out more on the event page on Facebook.

Also in July, 16th to the 18th, is ‘Transported’, a 3-day outdoor arts event in the Marine Hall Gardens and The Mount, Fleetwood.

This includes ‘In Memoriam’ an installation of huge flags and a soundscape which shares the gains, losses and intentions of local residents during the last year. You can get involved in Transported by writing down your thoughts on a form and dropping it into the collection box in our unit at Affinity, and also the boxes at Fleetwood Library and Fleetwood Market, until early July.

Healthier Fleetwood's Dr Mark Spencer won't be taking it easy when he celebrates his 60th birthday in October.

He will be running the London Marathon to raise awareness and funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. Mark is an enthusiastic, and very accomplished runner who has completed several marathons and is looking forward to taking on the challenge again for such a great cause.

You can support Mark and Macmillan Cancer by making a donation on-line here Returning to the COVID pandemic, with the enhanced measures now in place across Lancashire, NHS Test & Trace will be holding a webinar for community and faith leaders, voluntary and community groups tomorrow (Thursday 17th June) 11.30am to 12.30pm. You will hear about the support available and it's also an opportunity to ask questions. > Register for the webinar here. Until the next time, take care ...