GOOD NEWS EXTRA - 10th February
It was a busy evening at the first Healthier Fleetwood Open Meeting of the year!
Our chair of residents Pauline welcomed everyone and thanked Emmanuel Mount Church for their support, the meetings will be held at the venue throughout 2025.
Paul from Emmanuel Mount Church opened with a moving video presentation for the new Bereavement Journey, a free 7-week programme of support for anyone coping with or preparing for the loss of a loved-one. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays from 25th February, 7pm to 9pm, looking at the many challenges and emotions associated with grief.
Pat helps to run a bereavement group and thanked Paul for introducing the Bereavement Journey to her group. She is also the leader of Young At Heart who meet at Fleetwood Library, 10am on Tuesday mornings. Pat was thrilled that a lady had been to the group recently, thanking her and the Social Prescribers for their kindness and support when she was down.
Emma has just moved from social prescribing to a new role, as a co-ordinator for the Wyre Council Befrienders. She is recruiting volunteers who can spare as little as an hour a week to support others in their community by combatting isolation.
Kate from Wyre Council reminded us of the funding opportunity for community organisations and events, applying to the Eric Wright Charitable Trust Small Groups programme. There are 3 levels of funding available from £250 – £1,000. There are no deadlines for this funding – awards are made on a first, come, first served basis … when it’s gone, it’s gone. Match funding may also be available from Wyre Council.
Locally, applications to the fund are being supported by the Volunteer Centre, Blackpool Wyre & Fylde – for full details of how to apply see online here and if you'd like some support with your bid, email enquiries@volunteercentrebwf.org.uk
Heather, her family and friends were the driving forces behind the hugely successful Fleetwood Community Christmas Dinner – attended by around 200 guests and volunteers. To help plan for this year’s event, maybe expanding into two dinners at different venues AND to look at other events, the Ember and Blossom Community Interest Company has been formed. Offers of support and volunteers are very welcome.
Brian invited everyone to take part in this year’s Linda Eaton Arts & Crafts Awards and also presented a trophy to Fleetwood resident Mark for his entry last year. We can put you in touch with Brian if you’d like to get involved.
Maurice was representing Fleetwood Rotary Club and was impressed by all the Good News being shared. Santa’s Sleigh was a big hit last Christmas, raising funds for over 200 families in the area to receive support. Rotary has hosted the Dementia Café at Emmanual, every third Thursday morning of the month, for many years. It’s a drop-in for families and their loved-ones, somewhere to meet and chat – it’s well-attended but there's always room for more, especially Fleetwood residents. The Club will be announcing a ‘big’ event for this Summer to start celebrations for their Centenary year in 2026.
The Wyre Flounders Adults Swimming Club welcomes members to the Fleetwood YMCA pool every Saturday afternoon. It’s ideal for anyone recovering from an illness or injury, or just prefers a quiet swim. Susan shared that a gentleman attended recently for just one session but had been in touch to say he enjoyed his return to swimming so much, he’s now at the pool several times a week for the open sessions.
If you’d like to join The Wyre Flounders, call Susan on 01253 522232
Julie from Alcohol Free Women updated us on her groups and events, supporting ladies to enjoy the benefits of a different lifestyle. She shared examples of her successes including a lady who she met at the recent Joyfest event.
Fleetwood Community Comic Con is a brand new event coming to the Town in 2025! It’s a huge gathering for fans of cosplay, memorabilia and fun around sci-fi, superhero and cult books, TV & film. FREE to attend, thanks to the hard work of the volunteer committee, it’s on Sunday 20th July at Marine Hall, the same day as Tram Sunday. There’s much more to share in the weeks ahead of the event, for now please …
John from Emmanuel Mount Church invited all members of the community to an event on Saturday 22nd February, a celebration of food and culture from individuals and families new to Fleetwood, and those born & bred. This follows other successful events supported by funding from Lancashire County Council.
Elizabeth, also from Emmanuel, told us about a new mental health support group for ladies, Life Together. They meet for a brew and to share helpful advice.
Contact Emmanuel Church on 01253 770646 for more information about the Feast event and the new group.
Janette from Behind Closed Doors had lots of news to share. The volunteer-led group supports women and families affected by domestic violence and coercive behaviour and they will be opening a new Fleetwood hub in the near future. This also marks the group’s third anniversary and follows their work being acknowledged by several awards and many successful appeals and events. Later in the Summer, Behind Closed Doors will also be hosting a fundraiser at Poolfoot Farm in aid of Kiena Dawes family - Kiena’s mother will also officially open the new hub.
Joe contacted Healthier Fleetwood towards the end of last year and we are delighted to support him starting a new crafting group. The Fleetwood Art Club will run on Saturdays at Fleetwood Library from 2pm to 4pm. Joe and his friend Kaitlan are giving their time, Heathier Fleetwood is covering the cost of the initial batch of materials. It’s FREE to attend although a small donation is appreciated to keep the group going for as long as possible. UPDATE: After a very enjoyable first week of the new group, there’s no need to pre-book, just turn up but space is limited, we’ll do our best to fit everyone in!
Contact us at Healthier Fleetwood for more information or see the Fleetwood Art Club page on Facebook
Jules from Fitness 50 offers a wide range of health and wellbeing courses, many designed specifically for those in recovery or coping with cancer and other debilitating conditions. Funding from Fleetwood Town Community Trust means the classes will continue throughout 2025 and the Gentle Exercise group at Cleveleys now welcomes around 80 people!
Jules is also collecting Easter Egg donations for local good causes including … KCA Cancer Support. Lesley and Barbara from #KCA are looking ahead to their Spring Jumble Sale event on Saturday 12th April at Trinity Baptist Church, Poulton Road. There will be loads going on for families to enjoy … offers of help from volunteers are very welcome, stalls for community groups are available. There’s also an Open Day for the Fishing Lake and Gardens at Kincraig, near Bispham on 28th June – the space has been created by volunteers as somewhere for people to relax and meet.
To support #KCA, call Lesley on 07918 453167 or Barbara on 07701 077866
Terri is starting a new Carers Group, meeting on the last Tuesday of the month at Strive Community Café (Flakefleet Primary School) from 9.30am to 11am - the first meeting is 25th February. It’s for carers of adults or children to meet and share support available in the local area. She also mentioned that Strive has opportunities for paid and volunteer roles.
Contact Terri about the Carers Group: 07563 892695
David updated on plans for Healthier Fleetwood’s new Information Centre at The Hub, within the former Fleetwood Hospital building …
Further details are being shared on the Healthier Fleetwood Facebook page or see the Where To Find Us page on the website
He handed over to Mark for more exciting news about The Hub. Alongside the existing partners, and Healthier Fleetwood, a new community café is hoped to be operational by Easter. This will see almost all of the Ground Floor space open and supporting local residents with a range of services including housing, adult education, training and employment, The Pantry foodbank, and health and wellbeing for children, young people and adults.
Fleetwood poet Anne read her latest piece, inspired by recent holiday experiences and reflections before Pauline closed the meeting and suggested more conversation over a cuppa!
The next Healthier Fleetwood Open Meeting is on Wednesday 5th March, 6.30pm at Emmanuel Mount Church – all welcome.
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