GOOD NEWS EXTRA - Conversations from the Open Meeting on 4th December
On a wet and cold evening, we met once again to enjoy the warmth of the Fleetwood Community and share loads of Good News!
Chair of residents Pauline thanked everyone who had braved the elements to come along and Kate from Wyre Council started us off. She told us about a possible funding opportunity for community groups and events, from the Eric Wright Charitable Trust. There’s no set amount you can apply for and the process is straightforward but qualifying criteria do apply.
Brian from the Linda Eaton Arts Awards is always full of enthusiasm and told us that entries for next year’s competition will be themed “A whole lot of living to do” and “Music be the food of love”. He will tell us more and bring entry forms at the first meeting of 2025.
Sandra was attending on behalf of Fleetwood Rotary, the Club is very busy at the moment with Santa’s Sleigh, raising funds for local good causes. Pauline reminded us of that Fleetwood Beach Wheelchairs has been recognised with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the charity was the idea of Mick, a Rotarian and many of the Club’s members are also volunteers.
Julie from Fitness 50 is preparing for a well-earned break but before she does is looking forward to a Retro Ravers ‘Disco at Dusk’ on 20th December and a Jacob’s Join on the 23rd - both events are at Fleetwood Methodist Church, existing and new members welcome. She is also distributing 25 Christmas hampers to local residents and families and wanted to thank everyone who's supported the collection with food, vouchers and cash donations.
Lesley & Barbara came along with fundraising merchandise for the #KCA Cancer Support Group. They have a Christmas Fair on Saturday 14th December at Trinity Baptist Church - spaces for stalls are still available and volunteers are appreciated. Many of the items on sale and the food will be from just £1.
Lesley wanted to make us aware of a scam, people claiming to be involved with the event, taking money for a stall. Please only contact KCA through their Facebook page or by calling Lesley on 07918 453167. Healthier Fleetwood would like to thank #KCA for their kind words and gift.
There’s an extra opportunity coming up to join the Alcohol Free Women group. Julie will be starting a session in St Annes, alongside Carleton and Fleetwood, and was a partner in the drop-in event held at Fleetwood Health & Wellbeing Centre on Saturday 7th. Separate to the group, Julie was also thrilled to have made her clog-dancing debut at a Lancashire Day event.
Home Instead offers personalised care services for those who choose to age happily at home. Thank you to Susan for letting us know the company is recruiting for care staff.
Many of you will know local resident Richard from previous voluntary work in the community and the book about his mental health journey. With his friend Michael he’s starting a new group to offer support to others, somewhere to meet and chat and hear from guest speakers. Initially, this will be at Westview Community Association on Fridays - further details will be announced in the New Year.
Sam volunteers with Healthier Fleetwood and wanted to tell her story. She thanked Wendy from the Fleetwood Social Prescribers for her help and said that in the last 18 months she has grown in confidence and felt a lot happier. Sam helps at the Healthier Fleetwood Information Centre twice a week, at events and has just hosted her first crafting workshop. She has begun studying at Blackpool & Fylde College, recently completing Level 1 in Child Care and taking the next course, a huge step towards her dream job working with children.
The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery is looking ahead to 2025. Mike will be continuing his wellbeing group, supporting residents over a number of weeks through outdoor activities. Rachel will host a programme of events including monthly beach cleans in Fleetwood. Mike thanked his colleagues, volunteers and everyone who’s been involved in around 600 positive engagements during the past year.
Sarah of Fleetwood Town Community Trust told us about a new cancer pre-hab/rehab course starting in the New Year in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support. This follows a successful trial and will be delivered from the YMCA Thornton.
> Email sarah.hall@fleetwoodtownfc.com for more information
Elizabeth shared the upcoming events at Emmanuel Mount Church including the Kids Night and Celebration Services - see their Facebook page here, and June told us that Wyre Flounders adult swimming club would be postponed over the holidays due to maintenance at Fleetwood YMCA pool.
David was visiting to find out more about Healthier Fleetwood and the local community as he prepares to support similar initiatives in other parts of the County, we’ll be keeping in touch with him to help where we can.
Anne read her food-themed poem of the month and Pauline brought the first part of the evening to a close by thanking everyone at Emmanuel Church for the hospitality.
There’s no meeting in January so the first of 2025 is on Wednesday 5th February, from 6.30pm at Emmanuel ... and we'd love to see you there!
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