GOOD NEWS - January 27th

We’re looking forward to the first Healthier Fleetwood Open Meeting of the year, on Wednesday 2nd February, from 6.30pm, at Emmanuel at the Mount.

These are always thoroughly enjoyable and inspiring evenings, an opportunity for residents to hear what’s happening in their community, suggest and support ideas for new groups, activities and events.

Among the topics we expect to discuss are updates on the Community’s response to changes in breast cancer screening provision, plans to mark Mental Health Week later in the year, news from the Fleetwood Social Prescribing team, extended opening hours at the Healthier Fleetwood Wellbeing & Community Information Centre, Affinity Lancashire and of course news from the many voluntary groups attending.

We’ll also be looking ahead to how residents can get help shape the future of Fleetwood. No need to book and refreshments are available. The meeting may be filmed - please say on the evening if you’d rather not be on camera. Thank you to our friends at Emmanuel for their support and hospitality.

These are YOUR meetings so please come along to get involved!

Wyre Council has launched the search to find an outstanding young person in the local community.

The Mayor of Wyre will present the prestigious Sheraton Trophy to somebody aged under 18 who has excelled in any walk of life, be it sport, the arts, community work, volunteering or achievement against the odds.

With the disruption of the pandemic, the last winner was in 2019, Katie Ramsbottom from Fleetwood, for her sporting triumphs and achievements. You can nominate somebody for this year’s Sheraton trophy ... by sending an email to katharine.mcdonnell@wyre.gov.uk or by writing to: Katharine McDonnell, Civic Officer, Civic Centre, Breck Road, Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire FY6 7PU. The deadline for entries is 5pm Friday 1 April 2022.

If dancing is your passion, there are now even more regular events and classes across Fleetwood to enjoy ...

Marine Hall’s Tea Dance afternoons are every Monday from 2pm - 4pm in the beautiful ballroom and there’s a special event coming up for Valentine's Day on 14th February. Tickets are £5pp, available from the Box Office or book on-line here.

The North Euston Hotel has restarted their popular Tea Dances on Thursday afternoons, also 2pm - 4pm, £5pp including tea or coffee. Call in to the Hotel to find out more.

There’s a wide range of classes for dancers of all levels and experience from LPM Dance, The Crown Ballroom and Tia’s Crown, based at Farmer Parrs.

This Saturday, 27th January, the lovely folks of the charity Tia’s Crown are hosting the latest of their FREE Let’s Dance sessions, from 2.30pm.

Don’t miss this opportunity to improve your wellbeing and meet new people! > Let’s Dance event page on Facebook

After a successful launch last year the Dare To Care program offers new opportunities to experience working in a care home.

It’s a fantastic way to build knowledge and confidence towards a rewarding career along with giving back to your local community. You choose your hours, receive training and support, and gain skills and qualifications which help you apply for vacancies in the future.

Dare To Care is being delivered across Fleetwood by Healthwatch Lancashire.

For further information please contact Georgia Hackett: tel 01524 239100 or georgia@healthwatchlancashire.co.uk

This weekend is the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, an annual event that helps the charity track the different species of birds found across the Country and make plans to protect them and their environments.

Birds bring beautiful, natural colour and sound to our lives and if you have a garden/yard, even a window box, or access to an open space you can take part. It takes just an hour or so and is a great activity for all the family to enjoy. All you need to know is on the RSPB website.

We also have FREE Bird Watch packs available from our Information Centre at Affinity including a recording chart, pen and a bird treat thanks to the volunteers at Towers Wood supported by The Bay: A Blueprint For Recovery.

This week we had a lovely donation of 'twiddlemuffs' dropped into the Information Centre.

These are knitted, woolen muffs with items such as ribbons, large buttons or textured fabrics attached that people with dementia can twiddle in their hands to stimulate their senses and minds.The donation came from the Crafty Creators group who meet on a Thursday at Rossall Tavern, Fleetwood.

We'll keep a few of the twiddlemuffs at the Centre for anyone who'd like one and pass the rest on to our partners supporting individuals and families dealing with dementia. Huge thanks to the Crafty Creators, you can find them on Facebook and if you'd like to make a twiddlemuff, there are lots of patterns online or call into the Information Centre to pick up a printed copy.

Lastly, local businesses are invited to a networking event on Friday 4th February with the team behind the Bee Anytime app.

The app will allow local businesses and services to communicate with their customers and clients in real-time and we’re looking at how it can also be used to share wellbeing information and messages to local residents.

The networking event is 9.30am to 11am at The Coffee Box, Affinity Lancashire, just across from our Information Centre so why not pop along to find out more about Bee Anytime and then call in to see us too. You can also email Admin@beeanytime.com.

Please do keep in touch with any news and information you'd like us to share, we always love hearing from you.

Until the next time, take care.