Blackpool FC Community Trust looks ahead to exciting new season

From April-July we had to change our ways of delivering a host of services and really invest in the digital platforms.

This was a real culture shock for the organisation, staff and participants, but all responded very well.

Pretty much from day one, we had virtual classrooms for our BFC Sports College and Traineeship students, digital social groups for our older adults and residents at risk of isolation, and physical activity sessions and challenges for our younger audiences to still feel engaged in BFCCT.

We introduced a host of new provisions, focused on supporting our most at-risk local people and those shielding due to illness, which meant we were making regular phone calls, health checks and food parcel deliveries.

This resulted in 150,000 engagements in our virtual physical activities, 520 food parcels delivered and more than 640 health checks made.

Staff completed more than 180 qualifications in the period and all of our BTEC students completed their targeted qualification.

Whilst the pandemic has been an extremely stressful and difficult period, it allowed us to focus on supporting our community and this enabled our team to utilise their creative side to come up with new ways to make a difference.

We have also been able to introduce a host of new programmes, which we hope will help rebuild resilience, confidence and an opportunity to get back to some normality.

We have been a successful partner in the Blackpool Council-led Blackpool Summer of Fun, which saw us deliver a host of free physical activity sessions and provide free lunches.

We also delivered an Inclusion Sports Camp, with Lancashire County Council, at Bloomfield Road for young people with disabilities and a Kicks programme which has focused on providing free football sessions in areas with significant juvenile antisocial behaviour and families with more need.

This is on top of our new Tackling Isolation work and regular programmes. All staff have been back in work for a couple of months and are raring to go with our full reintroduction in September. We are also at the end of our 2019-2020 season, which has been our most successful to date.

We close the year with more staff employed, programmes being delivered in our community and with our first Trust-owned facility up and running, the Education and Community Centre at Bloomfield Road.

We continued to build stronger links with community groups and organisations, including Blackpool Council, local businesses, Lancashire Constabulary and other crime-related services, education and employment establishments and our supporters’ groups BST and the Muckers, to name a few.

This has been very important in our continued progress and rebuilding strong links with our ‘new’ football club, so I would like to thank everyone for opening their doors and welcoming the opportunity to work with us.

I’d also like to thank our Board of Trustees, who tirelessly give up their time and helped guide me through some very tough circumstances this past year, and my fantastic team of staff, who are always committed, compassionate and focused on helping our amazing community.

I also thank my family, who never grumble and always spur me on when I am stuck at work or lose my weekends.

This is also the start of our 2020-2021 season, which we believe will be our biggest and best yet. Most of our programmes are back in place from the start of September and we have much that is new to announce. It’s a very exciting time.

ASHLEY HACKETT

Fit Blackpool is back.

Funded by Sport England through the EFL Trust, Fit Blackpool is a free 12-week Blackpool FC Community Trust programme at Bloomfield Road helping Seasiders supporters to make better lifestyle choices, meet other fans and see behind the scenes at the football club (subject to Government guidelines).

Those on the programme will be supported to improve eating habits, cut down on alcohol, increase activity levels one step at a time, reduce weight and waistline and support each other to stay on track.

The first of the 13 weekly sessions includes an initial health check and a discussion about what to expect from the course.

The following sessions are split between classroom health and education workshops and physical activity sessions.

There are separate sessions for males and females aged 35-65 on both Mondays and Thursdays (6-7.30pm, meet 5.45), starting on September 14 and 17.

They takes place in the Education and Community Centre at Bloomfield Road.

The only places still available for the autumn programme are on the Thursday sessions for men. Those enrolling should have a BMI of 28-plus and a waist measurement of 37ins-plus.

To register your interest in this or in future programmes for males or females, please write to [email protected]

Here are the words of two Fit Blackpool participants, firstly Helen Hoban: “I met a bunch of similar people with the same problems, and seeing them willing to do everything only gave me more motivation.

“Having the workouts every week really showed me how much I was capable of and that I could really push myself.

“The classroom lessons backed it up, and they were kept interesting and interactive to build up friendships in the group. The football club setting made it more interesting than a gym or school.

“I loved the outdoor session around the pitch. The programme really made a difference and kept motivation high.”

James Priestley added: “There is no doubt I feel so much better within myself, let alone looking better.

“I no longer have sleep apnoea and I am able to have a good night’s sleep. My blood pressure has reduced and is now considered to be in the normal range.

“I feel so much more active and no longer crave snacks, which had become part and parcel of everyday life.

“Taking exercise has become so much easier and I no longer get out of breath so easily. I have dropped six inches from my waist size.”

For more information on BFCCT programmes call 01253 348 691, visit, www.BFCCT.co.uk or follow BFCCT on social media.

LAUREN CHOLMONDELEY