Blackpool FC Community Trust column: Excited to continue services for rest of year

These have included health and well-being checks, phone calls, video social groups and virtual quizzes and walks.

Due to the impact this work has had, we were included in a bid made by the EFL Trust to the Government’s Department for Culture Media and Sport to continue this work for the rest of 2020, alongside 31 other football community club organisations.

The work includes doorstep visits, regular phone calls and lots of online delivery, and we are really excited to continue this work, knowing the great impact on the 700 people we will engage.

The hope is that when most of these residents are able to stop shielding at home or are comfortable re-engaging with community activity, they will start to attend the many social inclusion groups we deliver, including Sporting Memories, Walking Football and Extra Time.

This is the direction we want to pursue as part of our new three-year strategy, which focuses on the Community Trust becoming a Social Prescriber.

This means people will be referred to ourselves to find solutions via our programmes, other third sector groups and local authority services. They would become involved in activity, rather than just being directed to medication.

For example, if someone needs to lose weight or risk type-2 diabetes and be at greater risk of Covid-19, they could be referred to us and attend our free weight management programme, FitFans, for 13 weeks and develop a group of friends supporting each other on a similar journey.

In this case, referral into community activity can prevent illness and the need for prescribed medication to help lose weight.

We believe that with the support of local public health and the NHS, and the Government’s new Better Health campaign, local organisations can engage and inspire local people to do the right thing.

We welcome our final few members of staff back into work this week, meaning that all 60 are back working, inspiring and supporting our community.

It’s great to be as close to ‘back to normal’ as possible.

ASHLEY HACKETT

BFCCT’s Traineeship programme aims to support people aged 16-24 who are not in education, employment or training.

Working in partnership with the EFL and Warwickshire College, the traineeship programme was developed to support young people over a 12-week period, providing work experience and additional qualifications to make them more employable.

Qualifications include: Functional Skills Maths and English, L3 First Aid at work, L1 in Employability and L1 in Health and Safety at work.

The Community Trust works with a host of businesses, including Blackpool Pleasure Beach, NHS, Blackpool Transport and Sandcastle Waterpark, who provide valuable work placement opportunities for young people to gain real work experience.

Louise Gaultier, aged 18, started on the BFCCT Traineeship Employability Programme in February with a vision of gaining employment in the hair and beauty sector.

Louise was very focused and determined, and did a six- week work placement at the Colour Lounge on Whitegate Drive, where she settled very quickly and made a very positive impression.

The national lockdown in March as a setback for Louise, but with the support and help of the Community Trust she was able to find a new salon to continue her career journey.

Anna, owner of Monroe’s salon on Highfield Road, said: “Louise has settled in really well and gets on with all the staff. She is hard-working and will do well if she remains focused.” As a result Louise has been offered a two-year apprenticeship.

BFCCT would also like to say massive congratulations to Olivia Sharp, who took part in the Traineeship programme and has now passed her lifeguard training at the Sandcastle Waterpark.

Olivia started the programme prior to lockdown and completed the course online. She has been a model student and worked very hard in class and at home to ensure all her work was finished.

We are proud to say Olivia has secured a job at the Sandcastle as a life guard.

Olivia said: “I have gained a lot from the experience. I’ve gained confidence, friends and I think more people should volunteer.”

If you are 16-24, the Kickstart traineeship programme could be the course for yo. Contact BFCCT 01253 348691 .

For more information about the Trust, you an phone on the number above, visit www.bfcct.co.uk or follow BFCCT on social media.

LAUREN CHOLMONDELEY