Two of Fylde’s amazing community charities recently received a visit from Cllr Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, to talk with the volunteers about the wonderful work they do. 

Wesley’s Community Café and Larder at Church Road Methodist Church, St Annes, provides a safe place for people to come together to socialise, enjoy a hot meal, and receive donated food and essential toiletries to help them get by. A new creative community programme supported by Church Rd Methodist Church and Fylde Council also offers the opportunity to learn new skills like art, cooking on a budget, IT proficiency, and interview techniques to help further enrich their lives. 

Recognition for Wesley’s has been well-earned, with each of their three locations earning a 5* Food Hygiene Rating in 2022, and visits from such esteemed persons as the High Sheriff of Lancashire to present a certificate in recognition of their ‘great and valuable services to the community’.  

IHOPE work to support the Fylde community and its residents in a variety of ways, from beach cleaning and redistribution of unwanted household items to presenting gifts to the lonely, isolated and vulnerable on special occasions such as Christmas or birthdays.  

Both Wesley’s Community Café and Larder and IHOPE have been able to benefit from funding provided or administered by Fylde Council, with a £1,300 grant to Wesley’s from the Fylde Community Grants in 2019 to help refit their kitchen, and both organisations receiving funding through post-COVID recovery grants and cost of living support. 

Cllr Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: “As Leader I am proud to be able to highlight the invaluable contributions organisations like Wesley’s and IHOPE make to our communities, bringing real positive differences to the lives of Fylde residents. As a borough we are fortunate to have such a wealth of generous volunteers and community spirit, and Fylde Council are always ready to provide support, whether through offering the Fylde Community Grants scheme to help local organisations help others or by directly intervening such as our coordination of the Warm Spaces in Fylde programme.” 

If you are part of a voluntary, community or faith group and are interested in applying for a grant to support your work, visit the Fylde Council website to read about the grants available, their eligibility criteria, and the application process. 

Wesley’s and IHOPE are always looking for volunteers and donations to help their charitable causes. Visit their homepages to find out how you can help: 

 


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