The youngsters aged between 7 – 13yrs have been invited to fly the flag for healthy active kids on the Fylde Coast as they all successfully graduated from the NHS Kids Get Active (MEND) Programme.

They will march in the parade before Her Majesty the Queen as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Kids Get Active is the free NHS programme delivered by Fylde Coast YMCA’s Y:Active team at YMCA centre and community venues across the Fylde Coast. The programme aims to get children aged 7 – 13 years and their families more active and healthier through fun and interactive learning and physical activity sessions.

Wendy Voo, Y:Active MEND Officer said: “We were thrilled to receive the invitation to represent the local community in the march past. It is such an honour for the young people to be credited in this way and I’m sure they will remember this proud moment for many years to come.”

Two of the 7 graduates chosen from programmes across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre are Keely Parsons, age 12 from Blackpool and Kyle Kennedy, age 11 also from Blackpool. They along with the others were chosen to attend the celebrations as a well done for their commitment, hard work and dedication to the 10 week Kids Get Active programme.

Keely said: “I’m looking forward to seeing the Queen and I felt very proud to be chosen to attend.”

The 10 strong team will be attending as part of the parade this Wednesday.

Y:Active Kids Get Active Programmes are now on at selected venues across the Fylde Coast visit www.ymcayactive.org for more details now.

Fylde Coast YMCA are seeking an enthusiastic, determined and innovative person to take on a challenging maintenance post within the Fylde sites of the organisation. The post will include working both indoors and out, balancing urgent repairs with minimum disruption to members and the general public.

For more information and a chance to apply for this role visit our Current Vacancies page.

Harry’s Soft Play area
Catering Supervisor

We have an amazing opportunity to offer the right individual the chance to join our team at St. Annes YMCA within Harry’s Soft Play facility. Working 37.5 hour per week based on five days over a six day period (closed Monday), including weekend and early evening shifts.

For More information and a chance to apply for this position visit our Current Vacancies page.

The funding will support existing outreach programmes in Fylde which will be particularly aimed at young people with limited access to provision such as rural areas and areas of high deprivation. The funding will also assist the development of further young people related services at Lancaster YMCA.

YMCA triangle

The YMCA ONE partnership which includes 9 YMCA’s across the North West region has been appointed as a Tier 1 provider on the North West Care Leavers & Young Homeless Support and Accommodation Framework.

The partnership believe this is a huge achievement but more importantly that this is a real example of the benefits of YMCA’s coming together and working collaboratively.

The lead authority for the framework is Manchester City Council with assistance from Liverpool City Council and Trafford Council and includes the 23 authorities across the North West that has responsibility for delivering social services. The framework agreement will commence in April for a period of two years with an option to extend for up to an additional two years and has an estimated annual value of £18 million. The commissioning process gave the opportunity for providers to bid for three different delivery options within three separate geographic areas, Greater Manchester, Merseyside & Cheshire and Lancashire (including Blackburn, Blackpool and Cumbria).

The service is targeted at young people between the ages of 16 to 18 years old who are or who have been looked after by the Local Authority and who are not yet ready or able to live fully independent. The three delivery options the partnership could bid for were:

1) Semi Independence/Group Living

Service offering a group living communal environment with staff on site to deliver programmes of support, dependant on individual needs, to enable young people to progress towards living in their accommodation

2) Floating Support with Accommodation

Community based accommodation services with floating resettlement support, sourced within the private rental market and supported by one to one staffing of varying levels, to achieve the aim of the young person moving to independence

3) Floating Support

Community based services providing floating/resettlement support to enable young people to live semi independently in their own accommodation

The YMCA ONE partnership has been appointed to deliver Option 2 & 3 across all of the three geographic areas. Fylde Coast YMCA will act as the accountable body for the partnership working with, Bolton YMCA, Crewe YMCA, Ashton Wigan & District YMCA, Birkenhead YMCA, Blackburn YMCA, Lancaster & District YMCA, St Helens YMCA and Liverpool YMCA.

The 10 week after school programme, which is funded by the NHS, runs twice a week at various community venues across Blackpool, Fylde, Wyre and Lancaster.

At the programme, local families with children aged between 7 and 13 learn about nutrition and how to maintain a balanced diet and children take part in fun games and activities.

The free course, which was developed in partnership with child health experts at Great Ormond Street Hospital, also includes a visit to the local supermarket where the children and their parents learn how to read food labels.

Steve Brown, Fylde Coast YMCA MEND’s programme manager for Wyre & Fylde, said:  “We all lead such hectic lives that eating healthily can sometimes drop off the priority list.  At MEND, families learn how they can make small changes to get back on a healthier track”.

“Kids love the fun activities and games, while the parents tell us that they enjoy learning about healthy eating and swapping tips with other parents.  As well as losing weight, kids leave the programme with more energy and a boost in self-esteem”.

Christine Waters a local parent who attended the MEND programme with her daughter says: “The staff are outstanding, extremely helpful and supportive. I have learned so much in such a short time. I am disgusted how conned we are into thinking that we are buying the right stuff for our children, only to find that we are actually causing them probably more damage due to low fat and very high sugar foods.”

Independent research conducted by the University College London’s Institute of Child Health found that children who attended the MEND programme experienced long-term health benefits, including long-term weight loss and improvements in fitness and self-esteem.

Places are limited so if you think your child is above a healthy weight and would like to find out more about MEND, call the team at Fylde Coast YMCA on 01253 882105 or view all programme venues and times via www.ymcayactive.org

All YMCA pools in the boroughs will be opening their doors at various times across the school break offering Quid a Kid swims, half price family swims and fun swim inflatable sessions with St Annes YMCA Pool launching their brand new ‘Annihilator’ – giant inflatable challenge!

Schools Out!

St Annes YMCA Pool are also holding their very first Easter Aquatic Festival on Wednesday 11^th April offering participants age 8+ the opportunity to try different aquatic activities with Team GB Coaches including Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo skills and 25m time trials. The team are also offering the Snorkelling course with all equipment provided plus the PADI Skin Diver Certificate on completion.

Poulton YMCA are offering the popular Intensive Swimming Courses for children age 4 + and adults of all abilities.

YMCA Sports Academy in partnership with Fylde Council will also be holding their free coached soccer sessions for ages 12 – 16 at a variety of outdoor parks and public spaces across the borough.

For more traditional Easter fun under 10’s and their families can join Harry and Chester on their Easter Egg Hunt inside Harry’s Soft Play Centre on Saturday 7^th April 10am – 3pm.

Dave Lean, Director of Leisure in Fylde said: “We’ve worked hard to plan in many different activities this Easter and alongside our usual popular Sports Camps and Playschemes at St Annes YMCA and Lytham YMCA.

“We want to see more people using the facilities and so reducing the entry into our swimming pools and delivering free coached soccer sessions through our partnership with Fylde Council and YMCA Sports Academy we really feel we’ve got something for everyone this half term, so come along!”

The full programme of activities and details of swim offer times for children and families this Easter is available via www.ymcayactive.org

Pirene, aged 66 from Lytham, had been struggling with breathlessness when walking and speaking for 11 months. Pirene had been a YMCA member for many years, but she hadn’t been able to attend in the previous months. Knowing her membership was soon up for renewal she had decided to take action and start losing the weight which her GP had advised would assist her recovery.

Pirene an ex-smoker of 7 years, arrived for the fitness consultation she had booked a week earlier with the then Manager of Lytham YMCA, Michael Harrison.

Michael, a qualified fitness instructor for 10 years, asked Pirene about her current health status and she explained that she’d had different tests over the 11 months and that the main thing now was to lose the weight she was carrying to improve her airways and breathing.

During the consultation Michael advised that the first part of her assessment would be to walk on the treadmill for 5 minutes with slight increments in incline to get a reading of her heart rate.

After just 1 minute, 30 seconds and no incline Pirene was visibly struggling to breathe, Michael stopped the treadmill. Pirene asked him why he’d stopped the treadmill and he told her that she shouldn’t be like after such a short time and that there was something wrong. Pirene replied: “You’re just scaremongering me now aren’t you?” and he responded: “No I seriously think there is something wrong, you must contact your GP and ask them for a stress test.”

Pirene admits that at first she thought Michael was just overreacting. She had her inhalers for her breathing and with the weight off she would feel better. Days went by and it played on her mind. She knew she didn’t feel right and two weeks later got the courage to contact her GP Surgery and request a stress test.

On 23rd September Pirene met with her Consultant for her first examination which included a relaxed ECG to check her chest and lung function. The Consultant then referred her for the stress test, which took place on 28th October.

Pirene says: “I just hadn’t imagined what was to happen next. The relaxed ECG had come back clear but I had the stress test at the Cardiac Unit at Victoria Hospital and the Consultant told me there was definitely something wrong.”

A Stress Test is also referred to as a treadmill test, but in a clinical setting you are wired up to cardiac equipment whilst undergoing the exercise so the readings are more accurately linked to the way your heart is performing under stress.

She continued: “Up to then I’d put all my symptoms down to my chest and recovering after 30 years as a smoker, however all my symptoms were actually pointing towards angina which is the lead up to an event (heart attack).”

On 3rd November Pirene had blood tests and swabs and then on 16th November, also Pirene’s deceased husband’s birthday she returned to the Cardiac Unit for an Angiogram. Pirene did not leave the hospital.

The results had shown Pirene might need a quadruple heart bypass. Her arteries were terribly diseased and the Registrar told Pirene that she was a walking timebomb and that Michael had saved her life.

Pirene explains how she felt the moment the Registrar explained the situation…”I couldn’t believe what he was saying that if Michael hadn’t acted so quickly and advised me the way he did it was only a matter of time before I would have had a major coronary attack and I would have only had a 3% chance of pulling through. I cried, scared and in shock… it could have all been so very different.”

Pirene was admitted to the Cardiac Unit the same day and for the following two weeks she was hooked up to a nebuliser to stabilise and improve her lung capacity in preparation for the operation.

On 2nd December 2011 Pirene underwent a triple heart bypass operation. Exactly one year to the day her symptoms had started.

Michael so far unaware of Pirene’s ordeal, was greeted with the news from Pirene’s good friend Linda Black who went into Lytham YMCA shortly after Christmas to workout herself and recognised Michael as the instructor Pirene had spoken about.

Michael said: “I couldn’t believe it when Linda told me the news. I was just so pleased Pirene was ok and getting over everything. It was pretty emotional and I couldn’t quite take it all in. I’m just glad I used my knowledge and followed my instincts at the time. It is my job to help and advise people and I do it every day. I’m just delighted that Pirene is fine now and making progress.”

Pirene went to see Michael on 12th January 2012 and she’d walked 3 miles to get there!

Her Cardiac Consultant has now discharged her and invited her to a pre-assessment clinic prior to commencement on the out-patient Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme.

Pirene summed up her experiences: “Michael saved my life and he didn’t know it. I want to urge others not to ignore the signs their own body is telling them. Deep down I knew something wasn’t right and I’m just glad Michael was looking out for me and in enough time for me to still take my health into my own hands.”

If you think you need to increase your physical activity levels in a safe environment visit the YMCA Y:Active website for information about the YMCA GP Referral Scheme.

Wysemoney which is part of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Credit Union is a non-profit financial co-operative regulated by the Financial Services Authority, meaning that the Credit Union is a safe and ethical investment option.

Break the Piggy Bank Invest WYSELY

Wysemoney investors are benefiting from market-leading returns on their savings and investments with another 3% dividend (interest) recommended for last year. The Credit Union can also accept regular savings and lump sums of up to £10,000 and all accounts are easy access.

Compare this option to the lower returns on deposits with most high street banks and building societies and the fact that any Credit Union profits are returned directly to its members and not third party shareholders, moving your investments and choosing Wysemoney could be the wisest and most beneficial move to make in 2012.

The credit union is already having a significant impact on local people who have been caught in the poverty trap and are at risk of resorting to costly home credit providers or even worse – illegal money lenders and loan sharks.

Stephen Heath, Fylde YMCA Housing and Community Director said: “The reality is that many people need to borrow money at certain times and the Credit Union provides them with an ethical and vital alternative where they previously had nowhere to go. To put it into perspective local people who use doorstep lenders are faced with an APR of over 250% in some cases. It’s just outrageous.

He added: “To ensure we can meet the demand in these difficult times, help people get out of the poverty trap and fight back against illegal money lenders, we need local individuals and businesses to join us and switch on to the greater benefits of placing their investments in a safe financial co-operative such as Wysemoney and Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Credit Union.”

Over the past 3 years, the Credit Union has loaned over £1.5million with the average loan being valued at £845. This has saved borrowers over £1million compared to the main doorstep lender.

Christine is a tenant of a local social landlord, has three children and an elderly father. She has spent the last few years struggling to make ends meet due to the fact that she has had to borrow money and is continually trying to pay back loans with huge interest rates.

She said: “I got a loan with the Credit Union and a while later my washing machine broke so I contacted them again to see about getting another loan. They said to me ‘why do you want a loan when you have enough savings in your account to buy on!’ I was absolutely amazed. I couldn’t believe that I could take out a loan, pay it back and have money at the same time.”

Talk to us at Wysemoney (Face to Face YMCA) on 01253 720270 or visit www.bfwcu.co.uk

Through the Government’s new NCS programme Year 11 students can sign up now to make sure their Summer 2012 will be one to remember and it won’t cost them a penny!

National Citizen Service (NCS) gives all Year 11 school leavers the chance to spend time away from home on a residential at Fylde Coast YMCA’s outdoor activity centre Lakeside YMCA while creating an opportunity to do something positive in their local community.

Taking on a Team Challenge at Lakeside YMCA

The programme runs for three weeks during July and August across Blackpool, Wyre, Fylde and Lancaster, with young people working as part of a team of 16.

Young people taking part will overcome new challenges, build their confidence and learn new skills they will benefit from in the future and which are valued by employers and educational institutions.

Fylde Coast YMCA is very experienced in running programmes for young people and with NCS young people can push themselves while being supported by expert youth leaders.

John Cronin, Chief Executive, Fylde Coast YMCA commented:

“We have been transforming the lives of young people in and around the Fylde Coast for over 80 years and are delighted to have the opportunity to use our experience to deliver the innovative NCS programme enabling young people to make a positive contribution to their communities.

A Fun Summer Ahead

Our programmes will be operating in the Fylde Coast, Blackpool and Lancaster. We believe very strongly in the focus of the NCS and will be encouraging local 16year-olds in the area to take part in the summer of 2012.”

NCS aims to promote a more cohesive, responsible and engaged society by bringing young people from very different backgrounds together to make a difference in their communities.

The NCS team headed by Rachel Reeves have already secured NCS places for young people through local high schools. Is your school one of them?  Sign up for NCS this summer and we bet you’ll have an unforgettable experience.

If you would like to find out more about the NCS Programme and how to sign up then please contact Rachel or Amy at the Fylde Coast YMCA………………

Rachel Reeves – NCS Programme Manager

Amy Lowe – NCS Assistant Programme Manager

Fylde Coast YMCA, Poulton Community YMCA, Parry’s Way, Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire FY6 7PU

Email:  ncs@fyldecoastymca.org

Tel:  01253 895115

Text:  07854 096782

Like us:  Fylde Coast YMCA NCS

Find us:  www.fyldecoastymca.org