WEEKLY GOOD NEWS: 24th April
Hello, we hope you are all safe and well. Once again we are delighted to share just some of the many positive stories and useful information we’ve heard about coming from the Fleetwood community in the last week ...
Our churches have always played a huge part in the community and now they are offering a great deal of practical and spiritual support to residents. Like everyone else they are also having to find new ways to connect with their congregations, using video to deliver sermons and masses. One church that has embraced this is St Wulstans & St Edmunds and you can find out more on their website including a challenge for children to paint a picture or make a model of Father Alf. We look forward to seeing the results!
Pharmacy staff been working particularly hard as part of the frontline in recent weeks, dealing with the extra demands on the service. The message is that we should all continue to order our medications as normal, do not order anything you may not need. Contact your pharmacy or GP practice as you would previously do and they will explain the procedure for collection or delivery of your medication.
Over the last week so many examples of individuals, groups and businesses supporting the community, here’s just a few … The Fylde Scrub Hub is a group of volunteer sewers making gowns for the NHS and with the help of PNG Digital who supplied patterns these are now being used by front-line staff. At Rossall School they’ve been using their technology to make visors for NHS staff although they could do with more materials, please contact them if you can help.
Neve Fleetwood have loaned half their fleet of vans to the NHS to help with deliveries of care packages and Regenda Homes worked alongside Fleetwood Together to help a family who were in need, in fact Regenda have been using their network of staff and partners to support hundreds of families and individuals – more on their website.
All the volunteers at Fleetwood Together continue to do amazing work. Alongside Wyre Council, Fleetwood Town Council and a number of partners from faith and community groups they have provided invaluable, practical support. In the weeks ahead they may need to do more so if you can help by volunteering your time, donating goods or services please contact them through their website or the switchboard number 01253 774313. There is also the Go Fund Me page for any donations you can offer and if you’ve been helped by Fleetwood Together or just want to show your appreciation of the incredible work they are doing, a ‘wall of thanks’ is being put together at the hub. Comments can be posted on the Fleetwood Town Council Facebook page. The council are also after some rainbows and colourful pictures to decorate the windows of their office on Poulton Road for anyone to see on their daily exercise. Again, contact through Facebook for more information.
Many of you may have registered as a volunteer through the Good Sam app, so many across the UK infact that they’ve suspended taking more applications. Roles are now being allocated to the volunteers who have already registered and these include something as simple as making a phone call to an isolated person but in these difficult times, it can make such a difference. Thank you to all the volunteers in Fleetwood and further afield.
Some more things to share … if you’ve attended any of the Dementia Hubs in the area over the last few years you will know Jimmy from Lancashire Memories. He is sharing videos that include music, photos, artefacts and more to encourage reminiscence and support wellbeing. Contact Jimmy through his website for more details. Finding a balance between being responsible, observing the social distancing guidelines and getting exercise and enjoying the fresh air isn’t easy. If you have a garden to enjoy, Take Your Pick on Lord Street has bedding plants available - contact them through Facebook or telephone 01253 770829 to find out more and how to safely collect your plants. The New You Lounge was a meeting place at the YMCA Lofthouse Building for residents to enjoy activities such as art and boxercise (not at the same time) and share experiences and mutual support. The sessions on a Thursday morning are now on-line using Zoom conferencing, see the post on their page for details. Fleetwood Museum has been sharing a fascinating look into their collection including some amazing 3D renderings of vessels connected to the Town’s fishing heritage.
Also adapting to the times are the Harmony & Health Singers. CDs and songbooks are now being shared and there are some lovely comments on their Facebook page from people who have received theirs and enjoying the chance to sing along to some of their favourites. Contact Shirley by email on seracleous@aol.com if you’d like a copy.
And finally, staying with the power of music and song to raise a smile … as we write, the BBC’s ‘Big Night In’ has just been screened helping to raise over £27m for charities and good causes around the UK struggling during this emergency. As part of the show, comedian Peter Kay invited the public to help recreate his Amarillo video and the team from Mount View practice put together their version, part of which made the programme. You can see their video and one from the Urgent Treatment Centre team on the Healthier Fleetwood Facebook page.
Please do pass this newsletter on and if you know anyone not on email, perhaps give them a phone call and let them know what is happening. Keeping in touch had never been so important.
If you’d like to include something in a future Good newsletter, please email us in listening@healthierfleetwood.co.uk
As always, take care. Stay home … protect the NHS … save lives
Useful websites and phone numbers
NHS 111 coronavirus or call 111 if you are concerned about your condition - do not visit a GP surgery, pharmacy or A&E department if you have symptoms.
UK Government Advice & Information Updates on social distancing, what you can and can’t do, links to support available for businesses and voluntary groups and more.
Fleetwood Together or telephone 01253 774313 Co-ordinating the Town’s response, supporting local residents in urgent need of help with food or other essential items.
Wyre Together or telephone 01253 891000 Support for those on the NHS shielded list, those with no support from family, neighbours or carers. Signposting to groups and services.
Lancashire Volunteer Partnership or telephone 01772 416417 Providing befrienders who can call individuals on a regular basis for a chat and to make sure they are OK. Volunteers welcome.