GOOD News: 14th January

Hello and after a short break we're pleased to resume our weekly round-up with a bumper edition of GOOD news ...

Difficult not to start with reference to COVID-19 but the launch of a vaccination programme is a much-needed boost. NHS England have issued a statement this week to update on plans for the rollout to Fleetwood residents. Read it here.

Looking ahead, revitalising the local economy will also be essential to supporting the wellbeing of residents and the community as a whole.

Future Fleetwood is a new partnership of community leaders formed to look at this and in particular job creation.

The group is embracing the Kickstart Scheme to find meaningful, paid work for young people for a 6-month period with their wages and NI contributions covered by the Government.Local employers are encouraged to support Kickstart by offering job roles - this includes sole-traders and SMEs.

To find out more watch a recorded webinar with members of the Fleetwood community and if you'd like to register your organisation as an employer contact Steve Newsham, Kickstart coordinator: steve.newsham@regenda.org.uk

Staying with the recruitment theme, the Fleetwood Trust is looking for somebody to join their team and help create a vibrant and sustainable base for groups and services within the former hospital building.

The 'Community Hub Officer' will be responsible for setting up procedures and policies at the venue, and act as a point of contact for the partner organisations using the facilities. Applications from Fleetwood residents who are unemployed or under-employed are being actively encouraged. Please contact Charley Wilkinson on 07960 439106 or email to charley.wilkinson@fleetwoodtrust.co.uk for a chat and further information including salary.

Lancashire Adult Learning is presenting a FREE online careers fair promises to be anything but dull!

The event will include an inspiring motivational speaker, interactive workshops, and mini bites from 7 different employers about their industries, and engaging sessions for mental wellbeing.

The Lancashire Adult Learning Virtual Careers Fair: Thursday 28th January, 10.30am-1pm > Click here to book - places are limited.

The organisations and volunteers of Fleetwood Together did amazing work over the Christmas period and their inspirational support continues.

Local resident Rick Gilby gifted a food hamper to The Pantry at Christmas and was so impressed with what he saw, he organised a collection of donations from his family and friends through Facebook.

The response in just a few days was incredible and all these items were dropped off at The Pantry earlier this week to be passed onto to members of the community in need.

Thank you Rick and everyone involved.

LOVEmyBEACH is pleased to be working alongside Fleetwood Together to distribute reusable period-care kits, via the food bank delivery service.

The kits will provide local women with reusable and washable sanitary pads. Rather than being a disposable item they can be reused for many years and are environmentally friendly. Sewing templates and information to enable women to make more items for themselves or friends and family is also available. The funding for this project has been awarded by the Wyre and Fylde COVID Response Fund and the kits will be ready in February. More info available on the Love My Beach website.

If you or somebody you know needs help with food or essential items, contact Fleetwood Together on 07903 177240 or email fleetwoodtogethercontact@gmail.com

A reminder to groups working to reduce loneliness in the community, the Local Connections Fund is open for bids until 26th January.

The funding will help to bring people together in safe and secure ways including by covering the costs of technologies and equipment that will help people feel more connected within their communities. This is a good opportunity for some of the smaller organisations or perhaps as part of a combined bid but please do read the criteria carefully before you make an application here.

Healthier Fleetwood has submitted a bid to the Thriving Communities Fund on behalf of all the partners working in the Town. This is to support the network of social prescribing opportunities which will be even more important in the months ahead. Nothing is guaranteed but if successful we look forward to letting you know our ideas in the future.

Many of the groups, activities and events that made up Fleetwood’s vibrant programme of health and wellbeing support are suspended during the lockdown but safe and sensible exercise is permitted.

If you can, check out the new challenges for the New Year along the Fleetwood Wellbeing Way - the theme this month is recycling and thinking about the impact on our environment.

You can also follow some of the health and fitness classes on-line with local instructors such as Maxine at Maxi Fitness and Craig at CB Fitness and Bootcamps. Craig’s enthusiasm for fitness has been passed on to his daughter Georgie as she is now leading her own classes – watch here.

These remain very worrying and uncertain days but there are better times ahead and there is always somebody there to listen and to help. Take Care and Stay Safe.