GOOD NEWS - April 21st

Healthier Fleetwood recently marked 6 years of supporting the community and we have another anniversary this week …

It’s almost exactly a year since we opened our Wellbeing & Community Information Centre at Affinity Lancashire, starting in a unit close to the entrance, moving to our present site further round the Outlet in October last year.

During the week we meet and chat with some lovely people, a mix of local residents, staff from partner organisations and visitors to Fleetwood. Conversations range from memories of childhood days, which is the best fish & chip shop (we say they are ALL great), to more bizarrely where is the nearest Honda showroom!

Of course, most of the time we are delighted to pass on information and contacts for the many activities, groups and events in Fleetwood helping to improve health and wellbeing.

The Information Centre has literally given us a shop window to showcase the amazing things happening in the Town and make connections that change lives.

A reminder our current opening hours are Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11am to 3pm plus some additional dates to be announced over the Summer to support events at the outlet.

We’d like to thank all the team at Affinity Lancashire for offering us the unit for the community, for all their help and working with us on a number of initiatives.

Very much in the spirit of connecting and supporting the community, there are several forthcoming events to share this week …

This evening (Thursday 21st) is the first of the Bee Anytime network events for local businesses.

It’s at the Fleetwood Beach Cafe at the YMCA Sports Centre from 7pm - 8.30pm. As well as meeting others working in and around the Town and sharing ideas you'll hear about a forthcoming event to mark Dementia Awareness Week in May.

Liz from Inspired Minds is inviting Fleetwood parents to share their experiences of and ideas for the mental healthcare of young people.

She is hosting a workshop event at Jim’s Bar, Highbury Stadium on Thursday 28th April from 6.30pm to 8pm. Please go along and get involved, your contribution will make a real difference.

There’s no need to book and tea/coffee will also be available. > See the Inspired Minds page on Facebook for further information.

There are two get-togethers on Friday 29th April …It’s this month's FREE Healthier Fleetwood ‘Chatter Café’ at the YMCA Lofthouse Building on London Street from 10am to 11.30am.

Drop in for a cuppa and some conversation with other local residents and find out what’s new in the community.

Later in the day (Friday 29th) Fleetwood Museum launches their new season of folk afternoons.

‘Songs at the Museum’ is from 1pm upstairs in the Education Room and the monthly dates have now been advertised. > See the Fleetwood Museum website for this and other events.

And if folk music is your thing … there’s also the weekly meeting of the Fleetwood Folk Club at The Mount Pub, on the Esplanade, Thursdays at 8.30pm and The Strawberry Gardens on Poulton Road holds a monthly event, usually the second Monday, 1pm – 4pm.

Looking a little further ahead, the latest activity to mark Fleetwood Day on Sunday 8th May has been announced.

The local residents behind the Fleetwood Wellbeing Way are launching their new series of events ‘Moments at The Mount’.

Starting at 7.45pm from the Rossall Point car park (opp the Sea Cadet base) a ‘Sunset Wellbeing Walk’ will follow the Esplanade to The Mount for an evening tea while enjoying the surroundings and the views across the Bay.

This great idea, supported by Wyre Council, brings people together to make the most of Fleetwood’s beautiful natural environment and heritage buildings.

> See the Sunset Wellbeing Walk event on Facebook for more details.

The football season is building to an exciting finish (come on Fleetwood!) but your thoughts may be turning to other sports for the Summer … anyone for tennis?

Our thanks to Peter for passing on information about the Open Day at Moorlands Tennis Club in Poulton. The afternoon includes free taster sessions for adults and children, and a panability session. Rackets can be provided.

> See the Moorlands Tennis Club website for more information and contact details. There are tennis courts in Fleetwood, one of the many things to do at Memorial Park.

> Find out more here.

And we finish by returning to Affinity Lancashire as the Outlet hosts the 'Vaccine Van' on a series of dates over the coming months ... starting with Saturday 23rd April from 10am to 4pm.

If you are eligible for a first, second or booster jab, pop along without an appointment. Vaccinations are available to anyone aged 12 and over. Other dates at Affinity are 14th May and 11th June.

If you'd like to hear more about anything we've shared here, please do contact us and also feel free to send in your 'Good News' and events for future editions.

Until the next time, take care.