What’s new?
Boot Bank Launch
The free community football Boot Bank will allow previously used boots to be rehomed and reused. The Boot Bank drop-off points will be:
- Blackpool FC Community Trust Office, Seasiders Wat, FY1 6JJ (Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm)
- Blackpool FC Club Shop during their regular opening times
If you would like to donate any clean, undamaged boots or would like information on stock please contact us on our social media pages or email andrew.aspinall@bfcct.co.uk.
Masonic Charity Funding
We welcomed Duncan Smith, Assistant Provincial Grand Master from the Freemasons to our Extra Time session to take a look at what we do with the support and funding from the Masonic Charity.
You can read more about it here – West Lancashire Freemasons support our Older Adults
‘Headstart’ Announcement
We were delighted to announce that we are starting to deliver the EFL Trust ‘Headstart’ mental health programme supporting Year 6 pupils with the milestone transition from primary to secondary school. The ‘Headstart’ programme is a 1:1 and small group mentoring programme which provides mental health support for Year 6 and 7 pupils, to help reduce strains on the NHS.
You can find out more here – Blackpool FC Community Trust support children’s mental health
Did you see?
LFE Graded Outstanding by Ofsted
We are pleased to announce that our national education partner, League Football Education (LFE), has been graded OUTSTANDING in ALL areas by Ofsted. As part of the LFE overall inspection, an inspector attended Blackpool FC Sports College at Bloomfield Road Stadium, observing lesson delivery, and meeting with staff to discuss the curriculum intent and the management team about the overall vision and impact of the college.
Football Tournament
Some of our Veterans and Move More participants took part in a thrilling football tournament at Aspire Sports Hub. Some excellent football was played with one of the Veteran’s teams being crowned champions. Well done to everyone involved!
Shayne Lavery Community Champion
We nominated Shayne Lavery as the PFA Community Champion for his commitment to community appearances and participation throughout the 22/23 season. Well done Shayne!
You can read more about it here – PFA Community Champion 22/23
Programme Fair
Rob Frowen held a Programme Fair in the Education and Community Centre in support of Blackpool FC Community Trust. There were up to a dozen stallholders attending who travelled from all four corners of the country. Anything and everything football-related was available for sale which included match tickets, match worn and signed shirts, sticker albums and all kinds of trade cards, pennants, medals, scarves, autographs and, of course, the classic collectors’ favourite, football programmes.
Highfield Leadership Academy Cadets visit NAAFI Break
On Wednesday, the cadets from Highfield Leadership Academy visited our veterans at our NAAFI Break in the Corner Flag restaurant at Blackpool FC. They helped support the veterans by handing out bacon and sausage sandwiches, offering them refills of tea and coffee and roaming around offering help where needed whilst listening to stories and experiences from the veterans to provide them with a deeper understanding of the history of the wars.
You can read more about it here – Highfield Leadership Academy Cadets Visit NAAFI Break
#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
Throughout #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, we talked about all the different sessions that we run that promote positive mental health in all age groups. These being:
- Extra Time
- Get Vocal
- Walk and Talk
- REPLAY
- Family Hubs
- Unified Football
- 1-1 Mentoring
- Fit2Go
- FIT Blackpool
- PL Inspires
- Unstoppable
Fit2Go Festival 2023
Our 2023 #Fit2Go festival took place at the home of Blackpool FC. The event took place over three days and saw 1200 Year 4 pupils from over 20 Blackpool primary schools attend. They all took part in several sporting activities such as Dance, Circuits, Dodgeball and No Net Netball which everyone enjoyed thoroughly.
Rachel receives an award from Blackpool Carers
Congratulations to Rachel Leaver, our Community Navigation and Living Support Manager, who won the Special Recognition Award at the Blackpool Carers Ball this month. Rachel works closely with multiple members of the team at Blackpool Carers and is always keen to help raise the profile of carers in Blackpool.
Rachel went on to say, “I am incredibly fortunate to work alongside such lovely partners in my role and, most importantly, to reach all of the wonderful communities in Blackpool.”
You can read more here – Special Recognition Award
Receiving the ERS Silver Award
We are one of 56 organisations from across the North West of England that have been awarded Silver under the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme for their support to Defence and the wider Armed Forces community.
You can read more here – Blackpool FC Community Trust Receive ERS Silver Award
Get Involved
Food Parcel Collections
Working in partnership with Blackpool Foodbank, The Big Food Truck arrives at the stadium every Tuesday from 2 pm until 3 pm. Situated in the North Stand Community Hub, anyone can access this service which provides food parcels to help with the cost of living. Single bags are £4 and family bags are £6.50.
If you are interested in purchasing a food parcel, please give us a message on our social media pages or email info@bfcct.co.uk.
Replay
Replay is a free session that gives adults the opportunity to come together to engage in different social and physical activities all within one session.
When: Tuesdays, Thursdays
Time: 1 pm – 3 pm
Where: Moretti Lounge, Bloomfield Road Stadium
Age: 18+
Family Hubs
The Hubs run every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 pm – 6 pm in the North Stand Community Hub at Blackpool FC stadium. We have activities, crafts, board games, a gaming room and an area to complete homework. We also offer all families FREE sandwiches and crisps if they book on. The Family Hubs are free and open to anyone as long as adults accompany children.
