Blackpool FC Community Trust column: Adapting our popular programmes to meet new needs

Home deliveries were about more than food parcels for BFCCT

How BFCCT can continue to help our schools

This is a huge achievement for the charity and has been made possible through some funding applications and partners supporting us to deliver programmes over the next six weeks.

Our first major programme is Blackpool’s Summer of Fun and will be delivered in partnership with Blackpool Council, Blackpool Opportunity Area and local third party organisations.

This includes a host of events, including physical activity, small group games and individual challenges, but also a healthy lunch.

The programme has been focused in the first instance on families who normally receive free school meals and families of key workers.

This involves three sites delivering a camp three days a week and also a host of community-based sessions throughout the week at Stanley Park, Palatine Sports Centre, Moor Park Leisure Centre and the Grange Community Centre.

All this provision is free and Government guidance concerning strict group bubbles and physical distancing will be followed at all times.

The team have worked really hard to develop the provision, which is a little different but is an excellent opportunity to support our community and get back into the routine of delivering great sessions.

Our three school-based camps are already full but spaces are still available for the community sessions and the Active Blackpool activities. Search for the Blackpool Summer of Fun page on Facebook for booking details.

Our Inclusion Camp is focused on families from Wyre and Fylde who have children with disabilities. This is supported by Lancashire County Council and will be delivered from our new community facilities at Bloomfield Road.

This programme is packed with activities and will support around 20 young people through the summer.

We are also preparing to relaunch our PL Kicks programme next month. This will see our coaches delivering positive activities and football games for our young people while we plan our autumn timetable.

ASHLEY HACKETT

In response to the needs of the community during this awful pandemic, Blackpool Council established 12 Community Hubs to provide food parcels and wellbeing checks. One of these hubs was run in the Bloomfield area by volunteers associated with Blackpool FC Community Trust.

We found many local residents in great need of support, both financially and mentally. One of these was Louise, a middle-aged, single woman.

Louise was diagnosed with breast cancer the day before lockdown and placed on the NHS shielded list.

With limited family for support, Louise explained: “I had been getting help from Blackpool Council with food parcels as I was unable to go out or get a delivery slot from supermarkets. The people who dropped them off hardly spoke.”

As the food hubs were established, Louise became part of the Bloomfield route and her experiences changed.

She added: “Since March, I received my food parcels from the football club. Each week two people came and would ask if I was okay, if I needed anything and if I was able to get the meds I needed. They were always happy to chat and I ended up knowing some of them by their first name. Everyone was so nice, even on the day I had a complete meltdown on my doorstep and ended up in tears.”

The volunteers from Blackpool FC Community Trust became very fond of Louise and concerned about her welfare.

One volunteer, Rick Bryan, said: “When speaking with Louise, it unfolded she was going through a tough time and it made myself and other staff very proud that we could offer this type of service, just to listen and chat to her about the difficult circumstances.”

After the first week, Louise took the time to message BFCCT on social media to express her gratitude to the staff who had chatted with her.

She wrote:“I know you are all busy, but these two gentlemen took the time to check I was okay and to see if I would like a call later in the week. Please can you tell them I said ‘Thank you’? They don’t know how much I appreciated it.”

The simple act of conversing had a huge impact on Louise’s mental wellbeing over the three months the food parcels were delivered. As this provision was withdrawn, BFCCT ensured that Louise would continue to receive support. She was signposted to the NHS food parcel register and more local shops that would deliver.

The communication continued and Louise kindly sent a thank you card and some homemade cakes.

LAUREN CHOLMONDELEY