GOOD NEWS - June 16th

With the wonderful Jubilee celebrations still fresh in our minds, this weekend we can all look forward to another great community event ... Fleetwood Carnival.

After 2 years of virtual events, it's fantastic to see the Carnival return in all its glory with a parade around the Town Centre and the Promenade on Saturday 18th June. Starting at 1pm from close to The Mount Hotel, the route follows the prom along to the ferry station/Harbour Light arcade, turns onto North Albert Street, down Lord Street as far as Poulton Street/Poulton Road and back to the prom on Carr Road. There's also fairground rides, a bouncy castle, donkey rides and animal displays, Punch & Judy show and more with entertainment from the Highbury Morris Dancers and the Fydle Ukulele Network.

A huge thank you to the Carnival committee for all their hard work in preparing this year's event, we hope that the weather stays fine and everyone has a fabulous time! Look out for copies of the Fleetwood Carnival programme around the town and join the Carnival Facebook group for all the details on what's on and where to be.

We've mentioned the great new Fleetwood Youth Hub based at the hospital building on North Albert Street and this week there's an opportunity from another organisation supporting young people.

The Prince's Trust have announced their 'Get Into Hospital' programme in partnership with Blackpool Teaching Hospital, designed to find careers in the Health and Social Care sector for people aged 18 - 30 years. It's a 3-week work placement at Blackpool Hospital and upon the successful completion of the course, the individual will be offered bank roles and the opportunity to apply for permanent roles. Prince's Trust will assist with all the recruitment paperwork, provide DBS and uniform costs and support young people throughout their entire journey and into employment. Selection interviews will be held in July and for further information please send your name, contact details, and postcode to OutreachLancs@princes-trust.org.uk. Referrals can also be made by third parties on behalf of a person eligible for the programme.

Your help is needed to offer the best start in life to the youngest members of the community, and improve awareness of and access to nursery and school places.

Lancashire County Council Public Health Team are asking for information and experiences on parenting support services you are aware of in your area. Your contributions will help shape the services in the future. > If you are a parent or carer of a pre-school age child, fill in the survey here.

There is also a survey for service-providers and partner organisations - click here for more.

It certainly isn't 'good news' but this week somebody who has made an amazing difference to the community announced he was leaving his role.

For the last two years or so Rick Clement has been the Armed Forces welfare officer for Fleetwood Town Community Trust. A veteran himself, with life-changing injuries, he has worked with colleagues across the Fylde Coast to put together an all-year-round programme of events, activities and support. To say that Rick's attitude and actions are inspirational is an understatement so it's lovely to hear he will continue to be part of the veterans' community and takes on new challenges.

Rick's farewell event is coming up on Sunday 26th June as he leads a walk from Central Pier Blackpool to Fleetwood marking Armed Forces Day.

The walk will set off at 8.30am from Central Pier, aiming to finish at Fleetwood Bowling Club on the prom for around 12.30pm. Everyone is welcome to join and support all of the walk or as much as they can. JD Gym at Cleveleys has kindly offered toilet facilities and water at the half way point and walkers are encouraged to wear some form of military clothing such as camo or a charity t-shirt if possible. The route is suitable for wheelchairs and scooters, dog-walkers are welcome too.

At the finish there will be some refreshments, the Bowling club bar will be open and for those interested, a Veterans bowling competition will be starting at 1pm. If you can take part, a donation towards the local Armed Forces charity is also appreciated.

We take the opportunity to wish Rick all the best in the future and thank him for his passion, energy and support.

A few more dates for your diary …

Tomorrow (Friday 17th June) we host the West Fleetwood Computer Clinic from 11am - 2pm at our Wellbeing & Community Information Centre, Affinity Lancashire. Drop-in for FREE tips to get the best out of your digital devices, connecting to the internet and keeping your personal data safe. On Tuesday 21st June from 12 noon - 2pm, the Lancashire County Council Foster Care team will be with us at the centre with information on the opportunities to become a foster-carer including the support and benefits available. Calico Connect host a weekly coffee morning and a gardening for wellbeing group, and they are holding a community quiz night on Friday 24th June at Fleetwood Rugby Club - 6.30pm for a 7pm start. For information and to enter a team please contact Sara on 07970 167947 / Sara.Clarke@lscft.nhs.uk or see the Calico Connect page on Facebook. - Please do let us know about your community events to share in future bulletins.

And finally in this edition of Good News, a new feature ...

Thank you to Shirley at Harmony & Health for sending us the lovely image of Millie and Jim celebrating the Jubilee. Both are loyal members of the wonderful singing group and even at 90+ years young, nothing stops them from attending the weekly sessions. Millie and Jim are our first 'Community Stars of the Week' simply for their charming story and the sheer joy of this photo. To nominate somebody for this recognition please send us a few words and a photo.

If you'd like to know more about anything we've shared here, please do contact us and we'd love to hear your 'Good News' for future editions.

Until the next time, take care.

TO RECEIVE THE 'GOOD NEWS' DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX EACH WEEK WITH ADDED IMAGES AND FEATURES - USE THE SUBSCRIBE FORMS ON THE HOME PAGE/CONTACT PAGE OF THIS WEBSITE. THANK YOU.