Our Fylde Community Hubs

Families joined us in Cottam for ice cream, supplied by Franco's Whippy, and crafts and colouring in, with activity books supplied by Stop Loan Sharks.

Our Area Housing, Caretaking, Community Safety and Customer Voice teams trimmed hedges and carried out a general tidy up of the estate, supported by our ground maintenance contractor The Nurture Group.

Tenants were also given the chance to report any repairs and discuss what they would like our Caretaking Service to offer.

Stephanie told us: “It’s been a brilliant family day for the children. It was good to be able to talk to the teams about things, in particular litter in the area.”

Camille said: “We came as we wanted to get involved in the community. It is good for the children to all get together and have fun.

“I see teams out on walkabouts and if I do have any concerns, I know I can just call.”

Sarah told us: “It is a really helpful that teams have come and tidied up today. It is useful that I have been able to speak to someone about my garden.”

We also held a community hub at the community centre in South Hey, which included burgers, a tombola, garden games and activities.

Tenants and residents were also invited to pick up any items from our pre-loved pop up stall, organised by volunteers from iHope Fylde.

Tenants had the opportunity to speak to our teams about repairs, our caretaking services, and financial and wellbeing support. A member of our Progress Future team was on hand to offer advice about employment, apprenticeship and volunteering opportunities.

Stuart and Sandra brought their grandchildren along to do crafts and colouring in, and pick up prizes at the tombola.

Sandra told us: “I am disabled and enjoy coming as I get to meet people. We donated lots of items to the pop-up stall, knowing someone else will make use of them, and my granddaughters have picked up a few new things, which is nice.

“It is nice to be yourself here. Nobody judges you.”

Simon Evans, Area Housing Manager for Fylde West, said: “We always try to keep tenants and residents at the heart of what we do and it was nice to make the time for our teams to complete this.”

Thank you to:

• Stop Loan Sharks England for supplying activity books for both events
• Franco's Whippy for the ice creams
• The Nurture Group for volunteering your time in Cottam
• Recycling Lives for the skip in Cottam
• iHope Fylde for supporting the pre-loved pop-up stall and providing the tombola
• And most of all... Tenants and residents of Cottam, South Hey, Ilkley and Gisburn for supporting our community hubs