GOOD NEWS - 9th March
Today is #SocialPrescribingDay - a celebration of social prescribing, demonstrating the amazing impact it can have on people’s health and wellbeing … and Fleetwood is among the leaders in this area of healthcare.
Social Prescribing is about using the network of groups, activities, events and the local environment to support individuals to improve their physical and mental health. That could be making friends at a coffee morning, joining a Walk & Talk, discovering your creative side through arts & crafts, singing, dancing - any number of different ways to try something new.The principles are simple and it’s not just happened overnight - the many organisations and voluntary groups in Fleetwood have been helping the community in this way for years - social prescribing is bringing it together and creating a pathway that can lead to real improvements for the individual and reduce the need for clinical healthcare.
Social Prescribing is a powerful force within healthcare and in Fleetwood the partnership between the NHS and the local community IS making a difference and helping residents lead happier and healthier lives.
For more information, referrals and self-referrals, contact Fleetwood Primary Care Network on 01253 958493, by email to fwccg.sprx@nhs.net or through their Facebook page.
And there’s an opportunity to join the team of Fleetwood Social Prescribers.
There’s a vacancy for a link-worker open now. > click here for the full details and to apply.
Here's a few ideas for activities and events coming up you might want to try ... starting with the Wyre Wheels sessions returning to Memorial Park in the next week.
This is a great cycling programme offering participants the opportunity to ride on adapted bicycles including trikes, side-by-sides, hand bikes, quad and wheelchair bikes. Sessions are on Fridays from the 17th March, 10am until 1pm (with the last admission at 12.30pm) and cost £4 pp. There's no need to pre-book, you can just turn up on the day - meeting point is next to the Cenotaph in Memorial Park.
> Further information on Wyre Wheels is available online here. And the Wyre Council Community Team will be at Fleetwood Library on Wednesday 15th March from 10am to 12 noon - call in to meet them and hear about the many activities they offer to support residents' health and wellbeing.
Fleetwood Promenade parkrun is a fantastic part of the local network but it can only happen thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers.
If you can spare just an hour or two on a Saturday morning, even once a month the extra support is greatly appreciated by the organisers and those taking part. Roles include track marshal, time-keepers and token handlers - all adding to the smooth running (or walking) of the event every Saturday from 9am. To find out more and contact the team see Fleetwood Promenade parkrun webpage here. Thank you to the volunteers who turn out in all weathers and a special word for Sue Ashton for her 200th parkrun volunteering session last week. Sue also took the lead in setting up the Fleetwood event in 2018.
A little less energetic, there's a Walk & Talk event this Sunday afternoon, 12th March, organised by the volunteers from the Talking Men group.
Starting from Marine Hall at 10.30am it's a gentle stroll along the Promenade to enjoy the fresh air and views while you chat and make friends. Again, there's no need to book, just turn up on the day and the event is open to all - men & women. Talking Men (which is for men only) meet on Thursday evenings at Verona Hall in Thornton for a brew and conversation. Find out more by calling 01253 208442.
The group is supported by Fleetwood Town Community Trust and led by three members of the Fleetwood Town Flyers walking football club.
The Flyers have just launched a new Facebook page to share their news and how you can get involved in the 3 sessions a week they host at Poolfoot for men aged 50 and over.
And a reminder of the new Women's football for wellbeing sessions at Thornton YMCA on Friday evenings with Happy Heelz. FC - contact Natalie through Facebook here.
Macmillan Cancer Support and Fleetwood Town FC are teaming up at Saturday's home game with Port Vale to raise awareness of Prostate Cancer.
Staff and volunteers will be at Highbury from 1pm handing out information cards and welcoming visitors to a table set up in Jim's Bar. You can find out more about the local peer support group who meet in Macmillan's new centre at The Hub, the former Fleetwood Hospital building. For further details of the peer support group please call 01253 866933, contact the local Macmillan Cancer team through Facebook or telephone 01253 955710 and there's more help and support on the Prostate Cancer UK website.
Some upcoming drop-in events at the Healthier Fleetwood Centre at Affinity Lancashire ...
Friday 10th March, 11am - 1pm ... LANCASHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST
Call in to chat with Stuart, a volunteer with the Trust to find out more about their work and their reserves across the County. > Also see the website here.
Friday 17th March, 11am - 2pm ... WEST FLEETWOOD COMPUTER CLINIC
Having trouble with your tech? The team can help with FREE advice to make the most of your digital device. > More information on Facebook here.
Also on Friday 17th March it's ... Comic Relief Day 2023 and we're open for some fun & fundraising!
If you are calling into Affinity for shopping or something to eat & drink, please drop in from 11am to 2pm, have a go on the prize draw and support Comic Relief's amazing projects across the UK and the world.
With the return of the cold weather, a reminder of the Warm Spaces open in and around Fleetwood offering hot drinks, meals and activities.
Many of the venues that opened in the Winter months are still welcoming visitors. Fleetwood Library is open 6 days a week from 9am to 5pm (7pm on Thursdays) with a hot drinks station, YMCA Lofthouse Building provides drinks and something to eat Tuesdays and Fridays 3.30pm to 6.30pm, there's a hot meal with the Mustard Seed at St Peter's Church on Monday evenings and the Friendly Lunch at Mens Shed on Thursdays. Other venues open as Warm Spaces include Fleetwood Museum, Westview Community Centre and many of the Town's churches. The full list is available on our website here but times may vary according to the availability of volunteers - please check ahead of travelling.
Thank you to everyone involved in supporting the community through this initiative.
Until the next time ... take care.
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