Information and Advice for the Lancaster District’s Third Sector – 25 April 2025

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Ryelands and the Power of Community Unity
In the heart of Ryelands, something truly special is happening. A community once facing deep-rooted challenges is coming together to shape its future—led by the people, for the people.  

The Ryelands Community Action Network (CAN) was established in 2018 as a way to bring together residents, local authorities, schools, healthcare workers, police, and voluntary sector representatives. Over the years, Lancaster District CVS have been instrumental in developing this initiative which has strengthened relationships, built trust, and driven real change in the Ryelands community.  

Through years of relationship-building and collaboration, the group has created opportunities for residents to have a voice, shape their neighbourhood, and access vital support. The Community Action Network (CAN) model has proven that when a community listens, works together, and takes action, transformation is possible.  

This week we released an impact video based around the work involved and the journey to date highlighting what inspired the residents and partners to get involved, the importance of working together and their hopes and dreams for the future of the estate.  

Watch our video to hear from those at the heart of this journey and see the power of community in action. 

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HELP IS CLOSE – Lancaster District Mental Health Support Campaign
January saw the launch of a Lancaster District all-age mental health support campaign, designed to connect people of all ages with the physical and mental health resources they need while reducing loneliness and isolation.

Lancaster CVS and Lancaster ICC have been sharing campaign content across social media platforms and more. You may have seen digital ads, posters, postcards, and beer mats appearing across Lancaster, Morecambe, Carnforth, and nearby areas.

We continue to encourage everyone to share campaign content, including digital ads, reels, and shorts, on social media using the hashtag #helpisclose.

The digital versions of all the adverts can be found here.

Visit the campaign landing page for HELP!

School Minibus Appeal
Caton St Paul’s C of E Primary School is appealing for support to replace its much-loved but aging minibus, which has been vital in helping children access sports events, outdoor learning, choir performances, and more. With rising transport costs and limited public options, a new minibus is essential to keep these enriching experiences going—not just for Caton pupils, but for other local schools and youth groups who also rely on it. Donations of any size are welcome and will help ensure children across the community continue to learn and grow beyond the classroom.

Help the school raise these important funds, visit their GoFundMe page here

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Free Capacity-Building Programme ‘Nurturing Grassroots’
Civil Society Consulting CIC has launched Nurturing Grassroots, a fully funded, three-year support programme for grassroots organisations and CICs across the East, North East, North West, and Midlands. Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, the initiative will offer tailored one-to-one support, expert-led workshops, and leadership coaching to 120 organisations, helping to build capacity in governance, fundraising, impact, and sustainability.

If you are a grassroots organisation or CIC and would like to take part in Nurturing Grassroots or find out more, contact [email protected] or visit their website here. You can also read the programme leaflet here.

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Psychology Employability Programme 
Lancaster University’s Psychology Employability Programme is offering a unique opportunity for local and national organisations to engage with enthusiastic and skilled psychology undergraduates. Each year, 70–100 students volunteer in roles such as research assistants, mentors, and support facilitators, providing valuable assistance while gaining hands-on experience in their field. Organisations benefit from reliable support, fresh ideas, and strong links with the university, while students develop essential skills and build meaningful career experience. Current partners include Age UK, The National Autistic Society, and Shelter.  

To find out more or get involved, contact [email protected]  

See the programme leaflet here 
Learn more about this programme 

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Refugee Week 2025 – Celebrate Community as a Superpower in Lancashire 
Lancashire Refugee Integration Team is inviting community groups, charities, and local organisations to get involved in Refugee Week 2025 by applying for funding to host events that celebrate the strength, diversity, and compassion within Lancashire’s communities. This year’s theme is “Community as a Superpower”. A range of events are already planned, including:  

• Community Fest at UCLan (14th June) 

• Refugee Film Festival at The Dukes in Lancaster (17th June) 

• Music Festival at Burnley Library (21st June) 

There’s also a callout for choirs to join a county-wide Refugee Week Singing Festival. Groups can apply for up to £1,000 in funding by completing a short online form by 18th April.  

For more details or to have your event featured in the official brochure, contact LRIT at [email protected]  

Date: 13th–22nd June 

See more info on the event specification sheet 

Email [email protected] for information about how you can be involved.  

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Stanleys is Nearly Ready – Can You Help?
Stanleys is nearly there! With new heating, aircon, windows, doors, and a full rewire complete, the space is almost ready to reopen its doors – but they need a bit of help to get over the finish line. They’re on the lookout for lining paper, white paint, black gloss or eggshell, and most importantly, any painters or decorators who can spare a little time.

If you can donate materials or lend a hand, they’d be hugely grateful. Work starts from Monday, with a goal to open by 6th May. Please contact 07775 874413 if you can help!

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The Big Lunch – Sharing Friendship & Food
The Big Lunch is inviting everyone across the UK to get together in their communities to share friendship and food on 7-8 June this year.  An idea from the Eden Project, The Big Lunch started in 2009 and has become the UK’s annual celebration for neighbours and the biggest community-led fundraiser, helping to raise over £100m for good causes so far.  

A Big Lunch can be anything from a bite to eat with a few neighbours to parties for the whole street, and anything in between. It’s fun, it’s easy and it’s for everyone, so download your free party planning pack and make your community the place to be this June!

Get your free pack –  TheBigLunch.com

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Pathways to Work 
The Green Paper Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working was published by the Department for Work and Pensions on 18 March and was updated following the Spring Statement on 28 March. It outlines the government’s proposals to reform the benefits system, with the aim of reducing economic inactivity and supporting individuals with health conditions or disabilities in accessing employment opportunities. It has significant implications for many in receipt of Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments (PIP), and the stated cuts are likely to lead to increased poverty and dependence on the VCSE sector to fill the gaps.

The short briefing here outlines the main points. This is now out for consultation but with no stated closing date – see here for response form. We will keep you updated on further changes and developments. 

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Spring Statement: What You Need to Know 
The Spring Statement a couple of weeks ago brought some key announcements that will be relevant to the VCFSE sector and the work you do in communities: 

15% cuts in the administrative costs of government departments for all departments by April 2030. As this includes funding for redundancy, this may affect some of the colleagues we work with in MHCLG, DCMS, DHSC etc., with additional uncertainty and almost certainly less money overall to fund other things. 

The government will invest in additional employment, health and skills support from 2026-27 to help people start or stay in work, scaling up to £1 billion a year by 2029-30. This is for anyone receiving out of work benefits with a work-limiting health condition. This investment will build on existing support from WorkWell, Connect to Work and the Get Britain Working trailblazers, all of which have some form of LIO involvement and which signals that further opportunities could be available to provide funding. 

Universal Credit health element (additional to standard UC) is to increase to £106 from £92 per week by 2030, but is frozen for existing claimants and reduced to £50 for new claimants. There will be additional premiums for those with most severe lifelong conditions. This will likely lead to an increase in referrals to foodbanks, debt advice and more people pushed into poverty with a reliance on the VCS to deliver in these circumstances.  

We will continue to update you on policy developments as they happen. 

Public Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Training Courses 

Youth Mental Health First Aid – Full (2 day) and Half Day Aware courses 
This course provides a more in depth understanding of specific mental health issues. It focuses on the issues faced by young people today, such as cyber bullying and substance misuse, and teaches how to promote protective factors and good parenting. 

YMHFA Half Day Aware is an introductory course designed to increase awareness of young people’s mental health and some of the issues that can affect this age group. This is delivered on Zoom. 

Please see the YMHFA fact sheet for further details HERE 

Adult Mental Health First Aid – Full and Half Day Aware courses 
AMHFA Full Course (two day) – A practical skills and awareness course to cover topics such as gaining a deeper understanding of mental health and the factors that can affect people’s wellbeing, including your own and practical skills to spot the triggers and signs of mental health issues, amongst much more.  

The Adult MHFA Half day Online course is a 4 hour (one date only) online training session. An introductory course designed to increase mental health awareness and give an understanding of how to look after wellbeing and challenge stigma. Delivered on Zoom. 

Please see the AMHFA fact sheet for further details HERE 

SafeTALK – Free suicide alertness training 
SafeTALK helps participants become alert to suicide. Suicide-alert people are better prepared to connect persons with thoughts of suicide with life-affirming help. 

Please see the safeTALK fact sheet for further details HERE 

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Free CO Awareness Workshops Available Online
The Gas Safe Charity is continuing to offer its free Think CO Zoom workshops through to June 2025. These engaging, hour-long sessions are open to individuals and organisations and cover the sources, signs, symptoms, and prevention of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Organisations can also arrange bespoke workshops for their staff, volunteers, or partner networks.

Date & time: Next workshop is on Tues 13 May, 2025

To book a session or enquire about a tailored workshop, email [email protected] or visit their site to book a Free Think CO workshop

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Anti-Poverty Training Courses

Maximising Household Income
For local government, public sector and VCFSE organisations looking to better understand the types of financial support available in the UK, including the social security system.

1 May, 10am-4pm | Online

Learn more and book your place

Tackling Poverty with Data
For local government, public sector and VCFSE organisations interested in better understanding and using data which tells us how poverty affects people and communities.

8 May, 10am-4pm | Online

Learn more and book your place

Valuing Lived Experience
For anyone aiming to better understand the value of lived experience engagement in tackling poverty, and the practicalities of developing and managing lived experience engagement activities.

29 May, 10am-4pm | Online

Learn more and book your place

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Become a Volunteer Citizen Journalist for THRIVE
Are you interested in writing articles for publication? Would you like to contribute to making our local food system, healthier, fairer and more equal?

How about becoming a volunteer Citizen Journalist for THRIVE, FoodFutures’ quarterly magazine!

The THRIVE team are looking to skill up people interested in becoming citizen journalists and contributing to the future direction of the magazine. You’ll be supported in building your writing skills, and have the chance to get articles published.

To support this there will be a day of training on 10 May 2025 (10:00 – 17:00) at the Cornerstone in Lancaster. This will cover an intro to citizen journalism, finding a good story, doing interviews well and putting an article together (including writing style, imagery and layout). Lunch will be provided and booking is essential.

Please fill out this form for a place on the training.

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Emergency First Aid at Work Level 3
The Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work course is the most popular workplace first aid course in the UK. After completing this course, you will receive a certificate to prove that you have completed first aid training that meets Health and Safety (First Aid) 1981 Regulations to be a first aider in a low-risk work environment.

£49,50 (including booking fee), cancellation available until April 23.

1 May, 9:30am – 4:30pm, Warton Village Hall LA5 9QW

Find out more and book

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Getting the most out of Social Media
This practical, interactive session, led by Jo Doughty of alwaysbeingsocial.co.uk, will focus on helping attendees:

• build confidence using Facebook and Instagram, including which features to focus on
• understand how to use social media strategically, not just reactively
• learn what to post, when, and why
• attract the right audiences – supporters, fundraisers and volunteers
• improve visibility and impact without relying on a big team or budget
• using platform features such as Reels and Carousels, and basic analytics to stay consistent and make better decisions

8 May, 9:30am – 4:30pm, venue TBC

Find out more and book

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Adult Mental Health First Aid
Mental health first aid (MHFA) is an internationally recognised two-day training course which teaches people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid basis. MHFA England training will teach you the best way to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis. Learning takes place through a mix of group activities, presentations and discussions.

The course normally costs up to £300, but in this case is fully funded by Lancashire County Council Public Health and is free. However, delegates must pay a £50 deposit (plus £2.65 covering ticketing and payment fees charged by our suppliers) at the time of booking. Your £50 deposit will be repaid on completion of both full days.

13 & 14 May, 9am – 5pm, Torrisholme Methodist Church

Find out more and book

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ASIST Suicide Prevention
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first-aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognise when someone may be at risk of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. Although ASIST is widely used by healthcare providers, participants don’t need any formal training to attend the workshop—ASIST can be learned and used by anyone.

The course is free, fully funded by Lancashire County Council Public Health and is free. However, delegates must pay a £50 deposit (plus £2.65 covering ticketing and payment fees charged by our suppliers) at the time of booking. Your £50 deposit will be repaid on completion of both full days.

3 & 4 June, 9am – 5pm, Venue TBC

Find out more and book

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Active Lancashire – MECC, HC, PAM Training 
Active Lancashire is offering a series of free and accredited training courses designed to support professionals and volunteers in making positive health and wellbeing conversations part of everyday life. Courses include Make Every Contact Count (MECC) familiarisation, specialist sessions for physical activity and mental health, as well as a Train the Trainer day for those looking to deliver MECC themselves. Additional sessions cover Patient Activation Measures (PAM) and a two-day Health Coaching course. All places are first come, first served, with plenty of dates available — and participants are encouraged to commit once booked.  

Full course details and booking links can be found on the Active Lancashire Learning Zone.  

For any queries, contact [email protected]  

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Risk Assess your Charity Building
The Ethical Property Foundation’s advisers will guide delegates through the essentials of conducting a risk assessment for your premises, including:

• Understanding risk
• Navigating a risk assessment
• Learn the legal context
• Fulfil your responsibilities
• Connect risk assessment and insurance
• Prioritise improvements

20 May, 12 noon – 1pm, online

Find our more and register

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Demonstrating Impact Masterclass 
In a competitive funding environment, one of the best ways you can stand out is by powerfully demonstrating the impact that your work makes. Being able to prove your track record gives your organisation great credibility! 

The NEW Demonstrating Impact MASTERCLASS will dive into simple but effective ways to collect and present impact data to make strong impact reporting that makes your organisation stand out.  

This session is designed for people working across all types of fundraising, including Fundraisers and Charity Sector Professionals with all levels of experience. This Masterclass is suitable for organisations of all sizes. 

Time and Date: Thursday 1st May 2025, 12pm – 1pm 

Cost: £13.42 

Location: Zoom 

Find out more and book a place 

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Informing Research on Romantic Relationships Workshop 
The goal of this event is to advance research on romantic relationships, exploring their patterns and trends, and how they affect various areas of society. This includes topics such as social connectedness and loneliness, fertility, child-rearing, being child-free, infrastructure (like health and housing), and economic factors. 

The aim is to connect with experts, discuss important issues, and help shape the future direction of our research. The workshop will include three short presentations on current trends in research regarding dating, intimacy, connection, and relationships, with the following interactive activities: 

Identifying and mapping key issues in this area  

• Determining the types of data that organisations and practitioners need to support policy and practice 

• Exploring the best ways to translate research for these organisations 

• Developing goals that can guide broader research agendas 

Registration is free with lunch and parking included 

Time and Date: May 28th 2025, 10am-3pm 

Location: Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YW and online 

Register to attend by filling out this form 

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Coffee connections: digital peer support
A free initiative for anyone working in the charity sector who is interested in connecting with a peer to chat about any digital topic. They will match you up randomly with someone else who has signed up and you can discuss any digital issues, ideas, etc. together.

Find out more and sign up

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Help Shape the LDCVS Training Programme
CVS members – and anyone else who is interested – can help us shape our training programme by completing this short survey. The results will help us plan our future provision to best suit your needs. Completing the questions should only take a few minutes.

Take the survey here

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DWP Disability Services support for SEND Schools, Colleges and Support Organisations
The Disability Services Advocacy Team are running free online sessions to support with raising awareness of the different Disability Services benefits and grants – Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) and Access to Work (ATW).

They will be covering Disability Living Allowance for Children (DLA Child) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) including the transition from DLA Child to PIP when the Child reaches the age of 16. The session will also include how Access to Work can help and support following secondary education when moving into employment.

To book:

Thursday 15 May 1pm – 3pm

The Volunteer Achievement Awards 2025 – 20th Anniversary

When: Friday 6th June 5.30pm til 7.30pm
Where: The Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe

The countdown to the nomination deadline continues for this year’s Awards! Remember that you have until midnight on Sunday 18th May to get your nominations, and requests for Certificates of Recognition, in. You must use our online form, linked below!

For 2025 we have TWO new Awards for you to consider – Environment Hero of the Year and Wellbeing Champion of the Year, to acknowledge the importance and impact of voluntary action in these two increasingly prominent areas of activity. We’re getting some amazing nominations and we want you to think about who you can nominate for an award. Who do you know whose volunteering has gone above and beyond? Who has made an amazing difference to other people in their community?

A buffet will be served at the end of the ceremony. We will be joined by the Right Worshipful Mayor of Lancaster and we have a couple of brilliant hosts lined up to guide you through what we are sure will be a fun and perhaps emotional evening!

Listen out for an interview with our Volunteer Centre Manager on Beyond Radio, hopefully this Friday!

Visit the page for the 2025 Awards to find out more and to nominate using our online form. We really encourage you to read the guidance before you submit your form. You have plenty of time – nominations are open from now until midnight on Sunday 18th May.
Please remember that the eight award categories are for individual people, not groups. If you want to recognise a group of volunteers you can choose ‘Certificate of Recognition’ on the form.

Make sure you remember to book your tickets here. Tickets are priced at £6 plus a small booking fee and are limited to four per organisation, to ensure that we can welcome as many people from as many organisations as possible.

If you would like to ask any questions or discuss the Awards further, please contact [email protected] 

• Fundraiser – helping to obtain grants, donations and sponsors
• Leaflet distribution – distributing publicity materials to the public across various areas
• Venue steward – helping visitors and being a point of contact between organisers and venues

Visit our volunteering website to find out more

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IT Support Volunteer at Bay Veterans’ Association
Bay Veterans’ Association are looking for support with their computers and information technology, including updating desktops and laptops, looking after their website and social media accounts, liaising with their IT provider, and maintaining databases.

Find out more about this role

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Become a Trustee with SAFE
Have you always wanted to support your local community? Share your skills or interests to help others? Have some time spare and want to help but might not know how? SAFE can help! SAFE are currently seeking trustees to join their team and help them to shape the future of SAFE and enable support for the local community. The charity are seeking roles including: A Chair of Trustee, Trustees to support with Fundraising, Admin & HR, as well as general support roles. Trustee roles are remote and suggested a monthly commitment of 3-5 hours (This can vary each month depending on the charity’s activities) with quarterly trustee meetings. Please contact CEO Keeley to find out more [email protected] or 07568937988.

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REMAP Volunteers Wanted 
REMAP are in urgent need of volunteers with DIY and problem-solving skills to design and make aids to help people with disabilities where there is nothing available commercially. In particular they need people in FY and PR post code areas. 

The equipment, produced by their team of dedicated volunteers, can help with day-to-day tasks such as mobility, personal care or eating. Or it can enable the client to pursue a hobby or ambition, such as participating in a sport or art activity. 

Please take a look at their website for more information or contact [email protected] 

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Lead Volunteer for Premises – The Gregson Centre
Can you support the Gregson Centre, working with staff and volunteers to help them as they move forward with renovations and improvements to their slightly dilapidated but very well used Victorian building? 

Visit here for full details and to apply 

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Various Volunteer Roles with Harmony Health CIC 
Harmony Health is a new CIC working to support health and wellbeing in Lancaster communities and they need volunteers to support them with: 

• Bookkeeping
• Social media
• Administration
• Horticulture
• Direct health and wellbeing support 

Find out more about each role and how to get involved 

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Fundraising Volunteer – Beyond Radio 
Beyond Radio would love to hear from anyone who feels they could support them by offering their knowledge and experience of fundraising, helping with grant finding and general fundraising activities.  

Visit here for more information including how to apply 

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Van Drivers and Delivery Assistants  
The 3R Foundation charity shop in Carnforth needs volunteer van drivers and delivery assistants.  

See here for more details including how to apply  

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Under 18 Volunteering 
We’ve had a great response over the last few months to our call for opportunities for under 18s to volunteer, but we really want to widen participation as much as we can. So, if you have any roles for under 18s to support your organisation or project, please let us know. 

Like the idea of involving under 18s but have concerns? Perhaps you’re worried about insurance, or safeguarding – whatever your question, let us know and we can support you to engage under 18s with your work. 

We are still getting requests from parents and students looking for volunteering opportunities for people aged between 14 and 17, so if you’d like to offer them something, let us know. 

Please email [email protected] with the details. 

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Opportunities for Volunteering from Home 
Do you have any volunteering roles that can be done from home? We would like to increase the number of options that are available for people who either cannot, or would prefer not to, go out to volunteer. 

This can include people with disabilities; people who are challenged by anxiety, depression, or other mental wellbeing issues; people with short-term illness or injury that prevents them from going out; people who are isolating because of some other health related issue; or perhaps just people who want to do something but would find it more convenient to work from home. 

Roles that could be done from home could include things like administration, finance, social media, marketing and promotion, telephone befriending etc and often would only require minimal equipment, such as a computer and an internet connection. 

Please contact [email protected] with your volunteering needs. We have volunteers waiting for home-based roles, so there is potential for a quick referral. 

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Volunteer Opportunity Promotion and Recruitment
Have you registered on our website to promote your volunteer roles? By adding your opportunities to our website you will be making them available to the hundreds of people per month who check our site looking for something to do. You will also enable our team to easily and quickly signpost people to your roles, to give them the information that they need to decide whether they would like to apply. 

Registering is quick and easy and you can do it here. 

Once registered you will be able to add your roles. If you need any help, or have any questions, you can contact Mark by email at [email protected]  

In addition to the website, the Volunteer Centre can promote your roles via our bulletins and newsletters; through attendance at in-person events such as volunteer fairs; in 121 meetings with potential volunteers; through visits to various support organisations; drop-in events at local Job Centres; by posting to our social media platforms; and through our bi-weekly column in the Lancaster Guardian. 

If you would like to discuss any of this, including having space in our Lancaster Guardian column, please contact Mark. 

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Volunteering Opportunity Help Guide 
We have produced a guide to help you when adding an opportunity to our website – It is quite detailed and covers every possible question. You don’t need to follow it but please do look at it if you get stuck or if it isn’t clear which option to choose when going through the form to add new opportunities. 

You can now also add more users to your account. Once registered, log in, hover on Account at the top of the dashboard and click ‘Users’, where you can add more users. This will be useful if you would like someone else to check applicant info and contact potential volunteers. 

You can also now choose which category to add your opportunity under, to help people when searching for roles. If you can’t find an appropriate category, just use the ‘default’ category and let us know what categories you would like to see added. 

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DBS Checks 
We offer a DBS check service, working in partnership with Burnley, Pendle, and Rossendale CVS. If you need DBS certificates for your staff or volunteers, please visit our website here. 

Health & Wellbeing Support in the Lancaster District
Discover the Lancaster District Directory, your go-to resource for finding essential services offered by local community groups, the NHS, and local authorities. From health and fitness to mental wellbeing, financial advice, and job skills, this comprehensive directory has it all. Easily browse through detailed listings, contact information, and referral instructions to access the support you need.

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New CO Awareness Resources for People with Learning Difficulties
The Gas Safe Charity’s Think CO programme are raising awareness of carbon monoxide (CO) risks among people with learning difficulties, developed with support from East Kent Mencap. The team is keen to connect with organisations working in this space to offer further training and promotion. The campaign highlights a powerful awareness film, “I can’t smell it. So it must be safe”, created by Speakup Self Advocacy in Rotherham.

In addition, CO safety videos are now available in Hindi, Bangla, British Sign Language, and English — all subtitled — thanks to collaboration with Leicestershire Fire & Rescue and community partners. For more information or access to resources, contact [email protected] or visit gassafecharity.org.uk.

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New Dates Announced for Free Mental Health Course 
Adullam Programme’s popular Living Life to the Full mental health course is back this April, offering an 8-week programme based on practical CBT techniques to boost wellbeing in simple, everyday ways. Starting on 30th April from 2–4pm, the course is free to attend and will once again be led by Shawn Duckers of @exergonic.coaching.cic—an experienced Behaviour Change Coach and former military Physical Training Instructor, bringing both expertise and lived experience. To book your place, email [email protected], call 07449 373979 / 07861 653978, or visit adullamprogramme.co.uk 

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Creative Wellbeing Exhibitions Celebrate Neurodivergent Artists 
Mainspring Arts, a neurodivergent-led organisation focused on creativity and community, is excited to launch two new exhibitions showcasing the work of their Creative Wellbeing groups in Kendal and Halton. Led by Cumbria-based ND artist Danielle Chappell Aspinwall, the groups have been meeting fortnightly to explore art and connection in safe, supportive spaces. The exhibitions—Alternative Worlds and Come As You Are—celebrate not just the artwork, but the creative journeys behind them. Free to attend, ND-friendly, and fully wheelchair accessible, these events are open to all. 

Event Dates:  

• Alternative Worlds – 25th April to 8th May at The Eddington, Kendal (Opening night: 25th April, 6–8pm) 

• Come As You Are – 2nd May to 9th June at Halton Mill, Halton (Opening night: 9th May, 6–8pm) 

If you have any specific access needs, please email [email protected]  

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Get Involved with the CHAT Programme at Luneside & Rosebank Bowling and Recreation Club
Luneside & Rosebank Bowling and Recreation Club is inviting local residents to take part in the Communities Healthy and Active Together (CHAT) programme—an innovative initiative combining crown green bowling with off-green social activities to support both physical and mental wellbeing. Starting Thursday 1st May 2025, sessions run every week from 10am to 12pm at Fairfield Close. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned player, CHAT offers a fun, low-impact way to stay active, meet others, and improve overall health. Come along and see what it’s all about!

Read more on their info leaflet here

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Elevate United Football Badge Competition
Elevate United has officially launched as a new community men’s football team, evolving from CancerCare United to broaden its support for a wider range of charities and causes. While still maintaining strong ties to CancerCare, the team is now focused on enhancing wellbeing through sport, raising awareness, and supporting local communities through fundraising and engagement. To mark the launch, Elevate United is inviting the public to get involved by designing their official football badge—entries are open until 6pm on Friday, April 18th. It’s a creative opportunity for individuals, schools, and groups to contribute to the team’s fresh identity.

Keep an eye on their social media for updates and ways to get involved.

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Autism Support Group for Adults in Lancaster
John, an adult diagnosed with autism later in life, has launched a local support group for others who are either awaiting diagnosis or have recently come to recognise they may be autistic. The group offers a friendly, informal space for mutual support and conversation, with no pressure to speak—just listening can be helpful too.

Saturday morning sessions take place at The George and Dragon, St George’s Quay, Lancaster (entry via the back door, tea and coffee provided but the bar will be closed) on the following dates:

• Saturday 26th April, 10am
• Saturday 10th May, 10am
• Saturday 24th May, 10am

Midweek evening meetings are held at Positive Futures, White Cross (located behind the old Adult College building) on:

• Tuesday 29th April, 7pm
• Tuesday 7th May, 7pm
• Tuesday 13th May, 7pm

All adults who relate to the experience of discovering or exploring autism later in life are welcome. For more details, contact: [email protected]

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Stay Connected with Your Integrated Care Community (ICC)
Integrated Care Communities (ICCs) are integrated teams of health and care workers, third sector organisations, statutory organisations and wider community assets. We work together with the aim to improve physical & mental health outcomes, promote wellbeing and reduce health inequalities. 

In the Lancaster District we have 3 ICCs, Lancaster, Bay and Carnforth. Each hosts a monthly online networking meeting which is a great opportunity to meet new partners, find out what is happening locally and share updates of your own.  Each ICC also has a Facebook page and a monthly newsletter that goes out far and wide. 

If you aren’t available to go along to a meeting but have something to share – don’t worry! Jenny, our Community Health Officer, attends each ICC and is very happy to update the meeting on your behalf – sharing items of news or events that are coming up.  

Contacts for each of the ICC’s are below. 

Lancaster ICC – Sarah Baines (development lead) – [email protected] / Lorraine Ducket (ICC admin) – [email protected]  

Bay ICC – Anji Stokes (development lead) – [email protected]  / Amy Dawson (ICC admin) – [email protected]  

Carnforth ICC – Hayley Clarke  (development lead) – [email protected]  / Janette Wright (ICC admin) –  [email protected]

Contact Jenny Reddell, Community Health Officer for LDCVS, at [email protected]
View the health coaching flyer

Have your say: What should change for young people in Lancaster?
Young people in the Lancaster district (aged 11–25) now have a direct line to influence government policy through the development of the new National Youth Strategy. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is inviting quick, anonymous responses via an ‘Express Order’ — asking just one question: What’s the one thing the government should do to improve life for young people? It’s open until Friday 25 April (today), takes less than a minute to complete, and offers a rare chance for young people’s voices in the Lancaster District to shape future action on education, health, opportunity and more. Local organisations working with young people are encouraged to share this widely and support participation.

Submit your views here

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Refugee Integration Team: New Social Media Pages
From 1st May 2025, the team supporting resettlement in Lancashire is launching brand new Facebook and Instagram pages to share updates, resources, and opportunities. Followers can expect content on local events, ESOL classes, health and wellbeing, volunteering, employment, and even monthly recipes. These new platforms will replace the current Homes for Ukraine Lancashire and Refugee Week Facebook page, so everyone is encouraged to follow the new pages and stay connected to the latest support and community news.

Follow them here: Facebook | Instagram

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Coach Core Foundation Event 
At Coach Core Foundation, their mi ssion is to transform the lives of underrepresented young people through high-quality apprenticeships in sport and physical activity.  They envision a world where every young person has access to meaningful education and employment opportunities—free from barriers and discrimination. 

As part of their ongoing commitment to evolving their work and better supporting their partners, employers, and young people, they are conducting an independent research project.  This study explores the barriers employers face when recruiting apprentices and highlights the factors that influence successful apprenticeship engagement. 

They’re excited to invite you to their upcoming Town Hall event, where they’ll be sharing the findings of this research and discussing what it means for the future of their programmes. 

Time and Date: Wednesday 30^th April, 12pm 

Location: Online 

Register here 

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Youth Work Higher Level Degree Apprenticeship Event 
If you are a Youth Work employer and aspiring for Youth Work sector development? Unlock the potential of your workforce with the Youth Work Higher Level Degree Apprenticeship – apprentices earn as they learn, gain JNC recognition, and graduate with a BSc (Hons)!  The programme operates using digital technologies with an online learning and teaching day where apprentices from across the country meet virtually with the team to share their experiences in their youth work role. 

Onboarding for January 2026 is now open, so if you are interested in developing the future of Youth Work, now is the time to find out more. 

Time and Date: Friday 2^nd of May, 11:00am – 12:00pm 

Book a place by completing this form 

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Placemaking with Young Adults 
Young adults aged between 18-30 can help shape the future of the Lancaster District through a series of placemaking workshops. By providing their input into the urban planning process and Local Plan Review, participants will help design a future that reflects their needs and aspirations.

Events taking place this spring and summer include WALKshops around potential development sites, a future vision workshop, and a policy co-design opportunity.

Find out more about the workshop series and book a place

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Healthwatch Lancashire Webinars for Parents
These sessions will help parents to find out more about Childline, a partnered service from the NSPCC. Childline is a free 24/7 service for children and young people up to the age of 19. During the sessions, parents will learn more about what Childline is, the resources available for parents and confidentiality.

The session will be delivered twice:

May 6, 1pm – 1:30pm, online (book your place)
May 7, 6pm – 6:30pm, online (book your place)

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Volunteer It Yourself
VIY challenge young people to learn trade and employability skills by helping to fix local community spaces and places in need of essential repairs and improvements.

They work with people who are disengaged or excluded from mainstream education and training, at risk of disengagement, and/or unemployed.

Young people are mentored by professional tradespeople and can gain Entry Level City & Guilds accreditations, as well as access to further training, work-readiness and employment opportunities.

To find out more about their work, visit their website, or download a presentation given at a recent Children & Young People Multi-Agency Partnership Meeting.

FoodFutures 

Exploring Food Ladders as an Approach to Food Security. 
This is an opportunity to learn more about the Food Ladder’s model, with guest speaker, Dr Megan Blake, and to discuss how existing projects within Lancaster are already implementing the system and how it can be further embedded into their work. 

Time and Date: Wednesday 30th April, 5.20pm -7pm 

Location: The Cornerstone, Sulyard Street, Lancaster LA1 1PX 

Read more and book a place 

Working with Community Groups 
This event is intended to support people who are thinking of, or are already running community food groups and would like to expand or develop their group. 

Time and Date: Sunday 27th April 10am-12pm 

Location: Claver Hill, Ridge Lane Bulk, Lancaster LA1 3JY 

Read more and book a place 

Sustainable Cooking on a Budget 
This is a one-off cooking class, exploring cast, sustainability, and taste while gaining basic cooking skills and experience. You will learn to cook Shepherds Pie 3-ways, with minced meat, Quorn or lentils. 

Time and Date: Tuesday 29th April, 1:00pm – 4:30pm 

Location: Carnforth Hub, Kellet Road, Carnforth, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA5 9LS 

Read more and book a place 

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LDGS March Forum Minutes & Updates
The minutes from the Lancaster District Green Spaces (LDGS) Forum meeting held on 26 March 2025 at the Gregson Centre are now available. A big thank you to Friends of Miss Whalley’s Field for hosting and leading a fascinating walk beforehand. The meeting included updates from the new Biodiversity Officer at Lancaster City Council, who encouraged groups to feed into the Local Plan review, and an insightful discussion on social prescribing and how green space groups might get involved. The forum also touched on sharing tools, equipment, and volunteer time informally via the LDGS network, as well as efforts to map group locations and green space connectivity on the LDGS website. The group is now seeking a volunteer host for the July meeting—suggestions for speakers include the Lune Valley Beekeepers or Butterfly Conservation. Anyone interested in hosting or supporting future sessions is encouraged to get in touch.

Download the minutes here

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Festival Bowland 2025 – Discover Aughton Woods 
Managed by the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester & North Merseyside, Aughton Woods Nature Reserve is a delightful spot to explore throughout the year, but carpets of bluebells and joyful birdsong make a spring visit particularly special. Given the steep nature of the ground, access to this ancient semi-natural woodland is limited, so who better to guide you than North Lancashire Reserves Officer, Phillip Reddell? Phil knows the woodland well and will give you an insight into it’s habitats, heritage and current management.  

£5 per person. Pre-booking essential 

Date & time: Wednesday 14 May, 10am-2pm 
Location: Caton 

For more info visit the Forest of Bowland site 

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Become a Volunteer Citizen Journalist for THRIVE
Are you interested in writing articles for publication? Would you like to contribute to making our local food system, healthier, fairer and more equal?

How about becoming a volunteer Citizen Journalist for THRIVE, FoodFutures’ quarterly magazine!

The THRIVE team are looking to skill up people interested in becoming citizen journalists and contributing to the future direction of the magazine. You’ll be supported in building your writing skills, and have the chance to get articles published.

To support this there will be a day of training on 10 May 2025 (10:00 – 17:00) at the Cornerstone in Lancaster. This will cover an intro to citizen journalism, finding a good story, doing interviews well and putting an article together (including writing style, imagery and layout). Lunch will be provided and booking is essential.

Please fill out this form for a place on the training.

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Nature’s Blueprint One Small Thing Event
Nature’s Blueprint CIC are focused on reconnecting people with nature in order to find innovative & impactful approaches for a healthier, sustainable planet and society. They aim to create a network of people who have the resources, tools and support to inspire and activate meaningful change not just within their own lives but within their local communities, organisations & environment.

One Small Thing, their spring event, takes place at Leighton Hall on 9 May, featuring individual and group coaching activities, reconnection with nature, delicious food, and access to the Nature’s Blueprint network, all focused on helping you to discover one small thing you can do to respond to the crises we face today.

Tickets £150 (self funded or charitable organisation), £75 low income (self-declared). Three fully funded tickets are also available.

Find out more

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Spring into Action Events- A Celebration of Local Food and Community
FoodFutures is inviting communities across the Lancaster District to get involved in Spring Into Action 2025, a vibrant week of events from 25 April to 2 May. This series of workshops and activities is designed to inspire action towards a healthier, fairer, and more resilient local food system.

From practical gardening sessions and community mapping to foraging walks, creative workshops, and even a grief circle, the programme offers something for everyone. With food-themed events, skill-sharing opportunities, and spaces for reflection and connection, it’s a chance to learn, engage, and support local food initiatives.

Exploring Food Ladders: Strengthening Local Food Security
Local food organisations and community members are invited to Exploring Food Ladders as an Approach to Food Security on Wednesday 30 April at Cornerstone Café, Lancaster. Led by Dr Megan Blake, creator of the Food Ladders model and Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield, this event will introduce a practical, evidence-based tool for addressing food insecurity and building community resilience.

Attendees will have the chance to ask questions, share insights, and explore how the model is already being used locally. The evening will also include a serving of delicious, locally cooked food.

Spring Into Action: Recommoning Think Tank
As part of the Spring Into Action programme, a Recommoning Think Tank will take place on Friday 2 May at the Friends Meeting House in Lancaster. This community session invites participants to explore the idea of “recommoning”—the process of reclaiming shared resources like land, knowledge, and services for the benefit of all.

Rooted in the history of land rights and the commons, this discussion will delve into how these principles can shape a fairer and more resilient local food system in North Lancashire. A shared meal will be provided, and all are welcome to contribute their perspectives.

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Job Opportunities in the FoodFutures Partnership
There are three paid job role opportunities linked to FoodFutures

• Crop-share and sales coordinator
• Community Cooking Coordinator
• Gather North Lancs Food Hub Coordinator

For information on the above roles follow this link, or see our jobs section below.

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RENEW – A Weekend of Sustainable Fashion at The Storey Gallery
The Sewing Café Lancaster presents RENEW, a three-day event celebrating sustainable fashion, creativity, and community. Hosted at The Storey Gallery, the event promises an inspiring programme across the weekend. All are welcome to attend, with no need to book. Visitors are encouraged to bring items for the clothes swap, and anyone interested in volunteering over the weekend is invited to get in touch with the organisers directly.

Event Dates & Times:

• Friday 25th April 2025 – 2:00pm to 8:45pm
• Saturday 26th April 2025 – 11:00am to 4:00pm

Find out more about this event

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Join the Plot’s veg box scheme: June-October 2025 
Are you passionate about eating organic, local, and seasonal food?  

Do you want a direct relationship with those who grow your food, and share the season’s risks with them?  

The Plot is looking for 40 people to join its crop-share scheme this growing season. Read the Plot’s latest column explaining the Community Supported Agriculture model and its benefits (including the opportunity to add extras from Gather each week).  

Joining the veg box scheme will help build a network of local growers around the Lancaster District.  

Read more and join  

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Map your local community  
The Closing Loops project is inviting local communities to map two areas of Lancaster: The Ridge and the Marsh / Freeman’s Woods. Everyone living or working in Lancaster is invited to share sketches or quick drawings that will be used in the map, and to attend two mapping workshops during Spring into Action week on Freeman’s Woods Meadow on Saturday and Sunday 26 & 27 April, 11am-3pm and at the Ridge Community Centre on Monday 28 April, 12-3pm.  

Join in or attend an event  

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The Bay – April Foraging and Outdoor Cooking Sessions
The Bay is running a programme of foraging and outdoor cooking sessions based from Greenfingers Allotments in Heysham. These started Wednesday 16th April and are running each week 11am-1pm for 5-weeks.

Some weeks you will cook a meal together for lunch, other weeks you will focus on different aspects of foraging, food growing and the stories that connect us with nature.

The Bay can offer support including refunding travel expenses up to £8 a session, and a phone call introduction or 1-1 site visit before you start to answer any questions.

To sign up please fill out The Bay’s online referral form and add ‘foraging course’ under ‘What do you hope to gain by attending nature and wellbeing sessions?’

Please feel free to get in touch with Alex at [email protected] with any questions.

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Spring Into Action with FoodFutures 
FoodFutures invites individuals and organisations across Lancaster District to take part in Spring Into Action. This week-long series of workshops, talks, and hands-on activities explores ways to build a healthy, resilient, and fair local food system. Events include facilitation training, community mapping, farm tours, cooking workshops, and even a grief circle to reflect on environmental loss. Whether you’re passionate about food justice, sustainability, or community action, there’s something for everyone. 

Spring into action takes place between 25 April – 2 May 2025 

Bury Your Pants: a Fashion Revolution event 
Bury Your Pants is a joint project with Closing Loops and Lancaster Sewing Cafe that builds on the Sewing Cafe’s Interwoven event in 2024. 

As part of Fashion Revolution Week, the Bury Your Pants project will be officially launched during the event. Attendees will be invited to take part in the project to explore the health of their soil or compost bin by burying a small item of worn out clothing in some soil or a compost bin. Healthy soil with a lively food web will munch through pants in six to ten weeks depending on the time of year… 

Date: 24 – 26 April.  
Venue: The Gallery, The Storey Institute, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster 

Growing Food Growing Community: Intro to Facilitation and Sociocracy 
Join Anna and Jay from FoodFutures on this fascinating workshop that will explore tools for supporting good facilitation whilst introducing the basics of sociocracy. Sociocracy offers a decision making framework and processes that seek to support dynamic, inclusive and productive meetings that make decisions by consent. It’s based on the idea that people who work together are best able to make decisions for themselves. 

Good facilitation and sociocracy are key to supporting the workings of FoodFutures, and in supporting innovative, horizontal, decision making processes. This session should offer some tools and inspiration to support you in enhancing the quality of meetings, decision making and governance of your community project. 

Date & time: Friday 25 April 2025 10am – 3pm 
Location: St Thomas Church, Room 1, Marton St, Lancaster, LA1 1XX. 

Find out more here 

Spring Into Action: Farm on the Fell Tour 
Meet Lisa and Michael on their ‘cow with calf dairy’. 
Michael and Lisa are third-generation farmers. They run a small family farm in the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire, producing raw milk, pasture-fed beef, and pork (not to mention delicious gelato from their on-site vending machine). They are regular suppliers of raw milk and pork for Gather, the online North Lancs Food Hub. 

They took over the running of the family dairy farm in 2013 expanding the herd to 180 cows by 2020 working all hours and pushing the cows to get the litres from them. It seemed to them, the only ‘person’ benefiting, was the supermarket who they sold our milk to and decided to farm a different way and turned to regenerative agriculture. 

Enjoy a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of their farm and hear Michael and Lisa’s story first-hand with a chance to buy some delicious produce from their vending machine. 

Date & time: Saturday 26 April, 14:30 – 16:30. 
Location: Farm on The Fell, Bleasdale, Preston, PR3 1UT. 

Discover more about this event 

Find out more about Spring into Action here 

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F2F Forest Garden Relaunch – A Community Invitation 
The Fork2Fork Forest Garden is hosting a Meet & Greet on April 24th and 27th, 2025 (11am – 3pm) at Wyresdale Road, Lancaster. This event offers an opportunity for the community to explore the garden, share ideas, and contribute to its future development. Attendees can enjoy tea and cake, nature-inspired activities, a quiz, and face painting on Sunday. The event aims to bring people together to connect with nature, foster community spirit, and encourage participation in this evolving green space. 

Location: F2F Forest Garden, Wyresdale Rd, Lancaster LA1 3EA (next to the brewery) 

Contact: [email protected]  

For further information click here 

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Call for Local Green Spaces 
Your help is needed to identify areas of Local Green Space across the district. 
Access to a network of high quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and physical activity is important for health and the wellbeing of communities. The designation of land as Local Green Space through local plans allows communities to identify and protect green areas of particular importance to them. Planning policies for managing development within Local Green Spaces are consistent with Green Belts and therefore the level of protection afforded through designation is high. Local Green Spaces can only be designated when a Plan is being prepared or updated.  

The call for Local Green Spaces will run to Monday 28 July 2025.    

Further information can be found on the Council website:  Local Plan Review Hub 

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Conservation Area Appraisal for Yealand Conyers and Redmayne  
Lancaster City Council are conducting a Conservation Area Appraisal (CAA) for Yealand Conyers and Redmayne.

CAAs are key documents that highlight the unique qualities (significance) of a conservation area, identify potential threats to its character and appearance, assess the area’s boundary, and serve as a foundation for its ongoing management. 

If you have an interest in Yealand Conyers and Redmayne, they invite you to share your views. 

Have your say 

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Spring into Action 
From Friday 25 April to Friday 2 May FoodFutures is coordinating a series of workshops and events that invites people and organisations across Lancaster District to ‘Spring into Action’ around creating a thriving local food system that is healthy, resilient, and fair.  

From practical hands-on cooking, foraging and growing workshops to farm tours, scheming, craft activities and skill sharing, there is hopefully something that will interest you. 

Keep your eyes peeled for the full programme of events on the FoodFutures website… (coming very soon). 

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The Plot’s Crop-Share: June-October 
The Plot is looking for 40 people to join its crop-share scheme this growing season. 

Are you passionate about eating organic, local, and seasonal food? 

Do you want a direct relationship with those who grow your food, and share the season’s risks with them? 

Join this year’s crop-share and help build a network of local growers around the Lancaster District. Produce is grown outside at Old Holly Farm near Garstang and in two polytunnels at White Lund in Morecambe, all within eight miles of Lancaster Town Hall. 

Read more and join 

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Wild Into Words – Nature Writing with Mark Cocker
Nature lovers and aspiring writers have a unique opportunity to connect with the wild and refine their craft with multi-award-winning nature writer, Mark Cocker. Taking place at Leighton Moss in July, these special events include:

Wild Into Words: A Guided Walk with Mark Cocker – Friday, 4th July
Wild Into Words: A Nature Writing Masterclass – Saturday, 5th July

Participants can explore the landscape with Mark Cocker and gain insights into his approach to nature writing. These events are expected to sell out quickly, so early booking is recommended.

Book now:
Guided Walk
Writing Masterclass

Please note, tickets must be booked separately for each event.

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‘Your Pots – Your Say’ 2024: Stories from the Pots of Possibility Voting Day
Take a look at this inspiring short film by the Lancaster Film Initiative that captures the community spirit of voting for the Pots of Possibility fund. The video highlights the “Your Pots – Your Say” event, where local residents decided which projects should receive funding to improve North Lancashire’s economy and community. With eleven local charities bidding for up to £10,000 in funding, this participatory budgeting model gives the community a real say in how charity funds are allocated. Watch the film to see the impact of local voting in action.

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Insect Wildlife Wanders – Free Walks
Over the past two years, Rob Zloch and Belinda Nixie have been leading insect wildlife wanders, workshops and talks for organisations such as North Lancashire Wildlife Group, U3A, and The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery. Rob and Belinda want to awareness of and love for insects and to spread the word about their worth as individual species and as part of our ecosystem.

Insects are in spectacular decline and England is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. They are fascinating in form and function and they are wildlife that we can all observe and study all around us – in our own gardens, in any park, hedgerow or verge. Along with plants, insects are key to every terrestrial food chain and so their overall success or failure affects all other wildlife.

If you’d like to organise a walk at no charge to your group or project, to help get more people interested in and noticing insects or participating in citizen science projects, contact Belinda at [email protected] or Rob at [email protected]

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Growing Food & Community Sessions Return in 2025!
Join a series of workshops during 2025, covering all aspects of local food growing, from site design to how to set up your project, from seed saving to propagation, from beekeeping to chutney making!

The sessions provide a useful starting point for anyone considering setting up a local community growing space or thinking of growing your own.

You can now book the spring sessions.

Book onto a session today

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Closing Loops Ideas Generation Workshops
Over the next two months, local democracy group Deliberate will be holding idea generation workshops in the areas of Lancaster District where there have been less community projects.

To shape these workshops, Deliberate want to hear from you about what you would like to see where you live.

The question is simple:

Imagine a future where our economy looks after our communities and restores the environment. What would you like to see in your local area?

Deliberate is supported by the Pots of Possibility fund and these workshops will directly shape how we fund projects going forwards so do share your views and vote on other people’s ideas by visiting pol.is and getting involved!

Let’s Create Workshops
A fun and inclusive day of creativity and connection is coming up, with a brilliant mix of workshops for all ages and abilities—plus sensory quiet spaces for those who need them. From clay making and yoga to dance, drama, crafts, and live music, there’s something for everyone. Join the community and get stuck into a packed schedule of activities led by a talented team of facilitators.

Sat 26 April 2025, 12.30pm-5pm
More Music, Devonshire Rd, Morecambe, LA3 1QT
£5 per person

Workshop times are:
12:30 -1:30 clay with Anna
12:30- 1:15 yoga and breathwork with Chelsey
1- 1:30 Movement Games with Gill and Kirsten
1:30- 2:15 Dance with George and Helen
1:45 – 4:45 Crafts with Becca
1:45 – 4:45 Sensory Play with Gill
2:15 – 3:15 Instant songs and play along with Ben
3:20-4:20 Wise Up Drama
4:20- 5 Sign Out Loud

View the event leaflet here

To find out more and book your place

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Breaking Barriers – Saima Ashraf MBE’s Inspiring Journey
Lancaster University will be hosting an inspiring evening with Saima Ashraf MBE, as she shares her remarkable journey from being the first blind student at Lancaster’s Management School to becoming the UK’s first registered blind Chartered Public Finance Accountant. A passionate advocate for disability rights and community leadership, Saima’s story is one of resilience, achievement, and breaking barriers.

Thursday 8 May, 5.15pm – 7.30pm
Lancaster University Management School
100, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 4YX

Find out more and reserve your place

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Good Things Collective Open House Weekend
Enjoy plenty of fun activities at the Good Things Collective studios at 3 Northumberland Street in Morecambe this Easter weekend.

Over Friday 18 and Saturday 19, get involved and experience craft workshops, a clothes swap, drawing workshops, gardening activities, food and refreshments, and much more, including a spoken word event at 7pm on Saturday.

You’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about what GTC have planned for the rest of the year.

Find out more about GTC

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Celebrate VE Day with Morecambe Brass Band 
Morecambe Town Council is inviting the community to a special free concert by the Morecambe Brass Band at The Platform to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The evening will feature uplifting military marches, wartime classics from Glenn Miller and Vera Lynn, and iconic film themes—all celebrating the end of the Second World War in Europe. The concert is part of a trio of commemorative events, including a morning flag-raising at Morecambe Town Hall and evening beacon-lighting at the Stone Jetty, in partnership with the Royal British Legion and Bay Veterans Association.  

Date & time: May 8, 7-9pm 
Location: The Platform, Morecambe 

For more details and to book free tickets, visit the Town Council’s website. 

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Festa Italia
Lancaster BID is proud to once again support Festa Italia, bringing a vibrant celebration of Italian culture to the heart of the city. Back for a second year is Serenading in the Square on Saturday 24th May at 7.30pm—a lively evening of music in Market Square featuring three fantastic acts to set the tone for the main event.

Festa Day kicks off on Sunday 25th May from 10.30am, with Italian vehicles arriving and live entertainment starting at 11.00am. Expect a full day of delicious street food, music, displays, and all things Italian.

Keep up to date with the festival’s events

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Cross Bay Walk – The Olive Branch 
Fancy a spring adventure?!  Join a Cross Bay Walk in aid of The Olive Branch! 

The Olive Branch is an independent charity providing a food bank and support service in Lancaster, for people suffering distress caused by factors such as addiction, homelessness, debt, job loss, broken relationships, poor health, or seeking asylum. 

They will be walking from Arnside to Grange-over-Sands, a stunning 7–10 mile walk led by the King’s Guide from The Guide Over Sands Trust, Michael Wilson. 

They are asking, where it is possible, for people to try and raise a further £40 in sponsorship. 

Time and Date: Saturday 3rd May 2025, 9.15 AM registration 

Tickets: £20 per person and £2 for dogs 

Find out more and book your place 

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Family Fun Day at Morecambe Fire Station
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service invites the community to a family-friendly open day at Morecambe Fire Station. Visitors can meet local firefighters, explore the fire engine and Aerial Ladder Platform, and enjoy live demonstrations including road traffic collision rescues and kitchen fire safety. With face painting, food stalls, and plenty of hands-on activities, it promises to be a fun and educational day for all ages. The event will also raise funds for The Firefighters Charity and Friends of Langridge Community Group, with both cash and contactless donations welcome.

Morecambe Fire Station on Saturday 17th May, 10am to 3pm.

Find out more here

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Lancaster District Male Voice Choir  
LDMVC 2025 have provided a list of their upcoming singing events, including: 

• Sat 10th May; Arndale Centre, Morecambe at 11am  
• Sat 12th July; Ballroom, Royal Station Hotel, Carnforth at 3pm  
• Sat 27th Sept; Garstang Library at 2.30pm  
• Sat 11th Oct; AUTUMN CONCERT with Lacuna Singers at St Thomas’s Church, Penny Street, Lancaster at 2.30pm  
• Sat 29th Nov; Xmas event, Lancaster Library at 11am  
• Sat 9th Dec; Xmas event, Arndale Centre, Morecambe at 11am  
• Sat 13th Dec; XMAS CONCERT, Lancaster Methodist Church, Scotforth Rd, Lancaster at 2pm  
• Sat 20th Dec; Xmas Event, St Nics Arcade, Lancaster at 11am  

 The choir will also be giving singing events to the residents of Eric Morecambe House, Torrisholme, Dolphinlee Home, Ridge Estate and Nazareth House, Lancaster. Further small events could take place in other locations such as Lancaster Library.   

For more information please contact Chas Matthews on 07846 409825 or Paul Rasmussen on 07811 865556  

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A Pint of Theology – Monthly Discussion Group 
Held at The Gregson in Lancaster, A Pint of Theology is a free monthly discussion group exploring theology from diverse perspectives. Open to atheists, agnostics, and believers alike, it offers a safe space for challenging theological ideas and discussing their relevance in a postmodern world. Led by Innes Heron-Stamp, a queer Christian and conversion therapy survivor, the group operates under Inclusive Church policies promoting equality and nondiscrimination.  

Sessions run on the second Tuesday of each month from 7:30 to 8:30 pm, and attendees can simply turn up to join the conversation. 

Find out more about this series of events 

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Good Things Collective Open House Weekend 
The Good Things Collective will be holding their next open house weekend which is coming up in April! They would like to invite you to come and visit their studios to get a taste of what they do there at GTC. There’ll be plenty of fun things to do for all ages and you’ll get a sneak peak at some exciting new things planned for the rest of the year. More details will follow but for now make sure to save the date – April 18 & 19   

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Wise Up Workshops Events & Activities

The Jungle Book
Little Theatre Company by the Sea presents The Jungle Book with School Musicals Co and Wise Up Youth Theatre.

28 June (6.30pm) and 29 June (3pm)

Book tickets by calling The Platform on 01524 582803

Gaming Together
For all up to age 16 (under 12s must be accompanied by an adult), these sessions bring gamers together to build confidence, friendship and connection.

Monthly on the first Saturday, 5pm – 7:30pm at Middleton Village Hall LA3 3LG.

£2, including hotdogs, drinks and snacks.

Lifewise
Young people aged 14 – 25 can learn new skills from cooking to map-reading, from event planning to mental health support.

Every second Wednesday, 6pm – 8pm.

Call 07506 295782 for further information

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Better Than the Alternative – Creative Ageing Symposium
The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster invites you to a 2-day Creative Ageing Symposium on 30th April & 1st May 2025, bringing together creative practitioners, health professionals, and academics to challenge stereotypes and explore the power of creativity in later life. The event will feature keynote speakers, interactive workshops, panel discussions, performances, and networking opportunities, all focused on making creative ageing more meaningful and impactful. Part-funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, tickets are available at a subsidised rate.

Dates: 30th April & 1st May 2025
Location: The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster

1st -day tickets available – Book here
2nd -day tickets available – Book here

Home Energy Advisor (Green Doctor) – Groundwork
Groundwork NE & Cumbria is looking for a compassionate and proactive Home Energy Advisor (Green Doctor) to join their team in Barrow-in-Furness. This rewarding role supports households across Westmorland and Furness with practical advice and measures to reduce fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency.

Salary: £24,735 – £27,338 pro rata
Contract: Fixed-term, part-time (30+ hours)
Location: Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
Closing date: 30 April 2025, 11.30pm

Find out more about this role and apply

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Community Activities Coordinator – Ground Work
Groundwork NE & Cumbria is seeking a Community Activities Coordinator to support the Furness For You partnership by reducing loneliness, building confidence, and increasing volunteering in Barrow-in-Furness. This engaging role involves organising community activities, offering one-to-one support, and helping individuals build life skills and connect with services. Ideal candidates will be empathetic, organised, and experienced in community outreach and support.

Salary: Circa £25,129 per annum, pro rata
Contract: Permanent, Part-time (30 hours per week)
Location: Barrow-in-Furness, Westmorland and Furness (On-site)
Closing date: 24 April 2025 at 15:16

Find out more about this role and apply

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Community Engagement & Development Officer at CancerCare
This role is responsible for engaging with the public, health care professionals, third sector organisations and others about the services provided by CancerCare to support people to access different opportunities. The postholder will facilitate the groups working with people with lived experience to design and deliver activities within the organisation and community.

Salary: Annual salary of £15,763 per annum
Contract: 22.5 hours per week
Location: Lancaster 
Closing date: 7 May

Find out more and apply

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Global Link & FoodFutures – Community Cooking Co-ordinator 
Global Link and the Closing Loops project is looking for someone with a passion for good food and community organising to join the team in the role of Community Cooking Coordinator. Working closely with the Closing Loops Food and Chef Network coordinator this role will focus on coordinating a series of cooking workshops across the seasons and hosting pop-up community meals that showcase agroecologically produced, local, seasonal food.  

Salary: Annual salary of £10,432.20 (14.33/hr) with 5% pension contribution 
Contract: 14 hours a week to be worked flexibly; some weekend and evening work will be required.  
Location: Lancaster 
Closing date: 9.00 am April 23rd      
Interview date: May 8th 
Starting date: June 1st (or sooner) 

Job details can be downloaded from www.globallink.org.uk from April 2nd. Apply by email to [email protected]  

Find out more about this role and apply 

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Gather – North Lancs Food Hub – Coordinator,  LESS (Lancaster District) CIC 
Gather are seeking a North Lancs Food Hub – Coordinator To oversee the operations of the Gather food hub, consolidate systems and processes and further develop the hub, expanding the producer network, sales and volunteers. The role calls for a highly organized individual who can balance hands-on order packing and safe food management with logistics and wider strategic engagement.   

Salary: £28,523 per annum (pro-rata £11,409 for 15 hours per week for 12 months) 
Contract: 15 hours per week. A fixed term contract, initially until 31 March 2026 
Location: Lancaster 
Closing date: 25 April, 2025 
Interview date: 2 May 

For more information and to apply please download this job pack and email applications to [email protected]  

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Fundraising Assistant – Cancer Care 
This role will work across the whole Fundraising and Marketing team, providing administrative and operational support with both offline and digital fundraising initiatives. You will communicate with Cancer Care’s supporters, assist with events and help to maintain the fundraising database which allows them to maximise fundraising opportunities. 

Salary: £15,238 per annum 
Contract: 24 hours, to be worked ideally across 4/5 days, permanent 
Location: Lancaster with travel around the geographical area 
Closing Date: Monday 28^th  April 2025 

Find out more and apply 

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Environmental Youth Worker at Global Link  
The Blue Mentor will work as part of a wider network to engage with young people (ages 10 – 14) in schools and the wider community to enable environmental youth social action.  

This is a fixed term contract for 18 months starting on June 1st, starting by shadowing the current Blue Mentor. Weekly hours will be between 8 – 16, working primarily in youth settings.

Salary: £27,493 – £30, 290 pro rata + 5% pension contribution  
Contract: 8 – 16 hours per week to be worked flexibly, 18-month fixed term contract  
Location: Lancaster  
Closing Date: 30th of April, 9am 

Find out more about this role and apply 

If your organisation needs support whether it be working with volunteers, completing accounts and payroll, finding funding, solving governance issues, or just want a listening ear, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team:

Funding and governance support, contact [email protected]

Volunteering and DBS,
contact [email protected]

Payroll, bookkeeping and independent examinations, contact [email protected]

Health and social prescribing, contact [email protected]

Children and young people, contact [email protected]

Membership queries to: [email protected]

Partnerships, networks and strategic development, contact [email protected]

Alternatively, call us on 01524 555900

To promote your events, training, jobs, and sector news, email [email protected]