BFriend and Well-being

BFriend and Well-being A local volunteer befriending sevice helping the lonely and isolated participants in Blackpool.

🌍💜 World Cancer Day 💜🌍This year’s message is simple, powerful, and life-saving:“Check it, don’t chance it!”World Cancer ...
04/02/2026

🌍💜 World Cancer Day 💜🌍

This year’s message is simple, powerful, and life-saving:
“Check it, don’t chance it!”

World Cancer Day is a reminder to listen to your body, notice changes, and act early. Too many people delay getting symptoms checked because of fear, uncertainty, or the hope that it will “just go away.” Early detection can save lives.

It’s also a day to stand with everyone affected by cancer, whether they’re living with it, beyond it, caring for someone, or remembering a loved one. Behind every diagnosis is a person, and behind every person is a community.

Checking doesn’t mean panicking. It means taking your health seriously. It means asking questions, booking appointments, and trusting your instincts.

If you’re passionate about spreading awareness and encouraging early action, consider becoming a Cancer Awareness Champion.
Email: andrew@blackpoolvolunteers.org.uk to find out more.

Let’s replace hesitation with action and chance with choice.
Check it. Don’t chance it. 💜







4 weeks.4 recipes.36 recipe cards handed out.7 brand new faces joining the BFriend service 💛144 portions of food cooked ...
03/02/2026

4 weeks.
4 recipes.
36 recipe cards handed out.

7 brand new faces joining the BFriend service 💛
144 portions of food cooked (and devoured).
Countless brews poured ☕
Biscuits demolished.
Endless laughs, chatter, and new connections made.

ALL COMPLETELY FREE 🎉🎉

What a rip-roaring success BFriend’s first ever cooking course has been!

And the fun doesn’t stop here…

While the cooking course may be wrapped up, the group most definitely isn’t 🎉

✨ Next up: Pick n Mix Pals returns next week with an arts & crafts session full of ‘Pal’-entine’s Day themed activities.

🌱 Then: four weeks of getting stuck into gardening — perfect for beginners, fun for experienced gardeners who just love being outdoors! Learn the basics and help us clear and re-plant a beautiful community garden space at Holy Cross Church ❤️

Come for the activities, stay for the people. We’d love to see you there.

Contact martha@blackpoolvolunteers.org.uk for more info - but no booking is required - so feel free to just bring yourselves along any Tuesday, 1-3pm

Mythbusting Monday's continue with the second on our series of Cancer Myths debunked… with this one a common misconcepti...
02/02/2026

Mythbusting Monday's continue with the second on our series of Cancer Myths debunked… with this one a common misconception:

“Only older people get cancer.”

While cancer is more common as we age, it is not age-exclusive.

Cancer can affect children, teenagers, and young adults. For younger people, this myth can delay diagnosis because symptoms are sometimes dismissed or ignored with “you’re too young for that.”

Early detection saves lives at every age. Knowing your body, noticing changes, and trusting your instincts matter whether you’re 18 or 80.

This myth also isolates younger people with cancer, making them feel invisible or “out of place” in conversations about illness and support. Cancer doesn’t check birthdays. It doesn’t wait for retirement.

Awareness should be wide-angled, not age-limited.

If you want to help spread accurate information and challenge harmful assumptions, join us as a Cancer Awareness Champion.
Email andrew@blackpoolvolunteers.org.uk
to learn more.








• CERVICAL SCREENING DROP-IN CLINICS • Is your cervical screening test (smear test) due or overdue?The NHS is bringing a...
01/02/2026

• CERVICAL SCREENING DROP-IN CLINICS • Is your cervical screening test (smear test) due or overdue?

The NHS is bringing a mobile cervical screening service to Blackpool, making it easier for you to attend locally.

The test takes around 10 minutes and is carried out in a private, discreet setting by trained, female clinicians. No appointment needed - just drop in!

Brains were buzzing, laughter was loud, and the competition was fierce! 🧠😂Our Quiz Night was a huge success and we can’t...
31/01/2026

Brains were buzzing, laughter was loud, and the competition was fierce! 🧠😂
Our Quiz Night was a huge success and we can’t thank everyone enough for coming along and making it such a fantastic evening. From tricky questions to brilliant banter, it really was a night to remember. Same time again next month folks. Watch this space ❤️

Next week Pick 'n' Mix Pals will head into the final week of the cooking workshop, and we’re REALLY excited to share wha...
29/01/2026

Next week Pick 'n' Mix Pals will head into the final week of the cooking workshop, and we’re REALLY excited to share what's coming up next at Holy Cross Church 💛

💗 'Pal'-entine’s Crafts & Chat: 10th February
🌱 Gardening for beginners: Starting 17th of Feb for 4 weeks

📍 Holy Cross Church, Central Drive, Blackpool, FY1 6LA
🕐 1–3pm

But just what is it all about?

💗 ‘Pal’-entine’s Crafts & Chat - A relaxed, one-off afternoon of crafting, creativity and connection with our Pick ’n’ Mix Pals. A lovely way to spend some time together, have a natter, and ease into the week. Come alone, bring a friend, family member or partner - it's all about what works for YOU! 💗

🌿 Gardening** for Beginners - A fun, friendly 4-week group to help you start (or restart!) your gardening journey. No experience needed, equipment provided, and plenty of gentle guidance along the way. Whether you’re curious, rusty, or just want to give it a go in good company, you’ll be very welcome. Experienced gardeners also VERY welcome - we'd LOVE to have your help!
**Indoor activities along the garden theme will be planned as best as we are able, if the weather is really bad... but plan to wear waterproofs and wellies if you can!

☕🍪 And of course… there’s always brews, biscuits and chat... it’s kind of our thing!

All our groups are free, friendly, and open to all — whether you come for the scheduled activity, or just the company of the group. We’d love to see you 🌼

Today we attended the Big Thank You event, and what a proud day it was 💙Our young volunteers were collectively nominated...
28/01/2026

Today we attended the Big Thank You event, and what a proud day it was 💙
Our young volunteers were collectively nominated for the Young Volunteer Award, our BFriend and Well-being volunteers were nominated for Outstanding Contribution, and our very own Sue Rob was nominated for the David Blower Award.
Although our young volunteers and BFriend and Well-being volunteers didn’t take home the award this time (they are, and always will be, winners in our eyes 🌟), Sue did win — and wow, does she truly deserve it.
Sue wasn’t able to be there in person, but her husband Carl proudly collected the award on her behalf.
To all our volunteers — well done and huge congratulations to every single one of you. Without you, this service simply wouldn’t exist. 💙👏

Here’s the kind of brain-tickler you’ll meet on Friday night…Andrew won’t work on any day with a “U” in it.Pauline won’t...
27/01/2026

Here’s the kind of brain-tickler you’ll meet on Friday night…

Andrew won’t work on any day with a “U” in it.
Pauline won’t work on days with two syllables.

👉 What is the only day they can both work together?

Have a think and drop your guess in the comments!
(Answer revealed on the night 👀)

If puzzles like this make your brain do a happy little jig, then Smartypants is for you.

📅 This Friday – 30th January
⏰ 6pm
📍 Volunteer Centre, 95 Abingdon Street, Blackpool, FY1 1PP

✔️ Free to enter
✔️ Free refreshments
🏆 Prizes in every round

Bring the family and find out who the real Smartypants is!

We’ve never seen our Monday group so quiet… and that can only mean one thing 👀🤫They were completely absorbed in our “One...
26/01/2026

We’ve never seen our Monday group so quiet… and that can only mean one thing 👀🤫

They were completely absorbed in our “One Little Thing” craft activity for January’s Craft Week!
We brought the craft cupboard to Forest Gate – beads, glitter, decoupage, cards, paper, foils, stickers, ribbons and more were all put to good use.... although, let's have a shout-out for Volunteer Carl who no sooner had he arrived, was sent straight back out to fetch us some scissors... we can't be too perfect after all 🙈🤣

The challenge? Create a set of personal prompt cards for the year ahead. Everyone made it their own: daily mini-challenges, monthly goals, or a mix of tasks, wellbeing ideas and motivation for higher-energy days. Cards and boxes were decorated, personalised and laminated to keep them safe for the long haul 💪🏻

Another shout-out to our volunteer Elizabeth, who shared brilliant ideas for mindful doodling and decoration, breaking it down step-by-step and showing how those final designs come together 🎨

Welcome to Mythbusting Monday, where each week we shine a light on a common cancer myth and replace it with facts that e...
26/01/2026

Welcome to Mythbusting Monday, where each week we shine a light on a common cancer myth and replace it with facts that empower, not frighten.

And we are starting with one of the most damaging myths of all:

“Cancer is a death sentence.”

The truth? Many cancers today are treatable. Some are curable. Survival rates have improved dramatically over the past few decades, thanks to earlier diagnosis, better screening, and smarter, kinder treatments.

For many people, cancer becomes something they live with, recover from, and move beyond. It is no longer a full stop. It’s a chapter.

When we repeat this myth, we unintentionally steal hope from those who need it most. We also make it harder for people to talk openly, ask for help, or seek early testing.

Facts don’t erase fear, but they replace it with something sturdier:
🌱 possibility
🌱 choice
🌱 hope

Let’s swap the old story for a truer one. Cancer is serious, yes, but it is not automatically the end.

Knowledge is power. The more we replace fear with facts, the better we can support those affected and look after ourselves. Share to help bust a myth today.

If you’re passionate about spreading truth, compassion, and awareness in your community, join us as a Cancer Awareness Champion.
Email andrew@blackpoolvolunteers.org.uk to find out more.





🦸‍♀️🧠 SMARTYPANTS is THIS FRIDAY! 🧠🦸‍♂️Ready to stretch those brain muscles and have a proper giggle with the family?Joi...
26/01/2026

🦸‍♀️🧠 SMARTYPANTS is THIS FRIDAY! 🧠🦸‍♂️

Ready to stretch those brain muscles and have a proper giggle with the family?

Join us for Smartypants, our family quiz night packed with riddles, logic and lightbulb moments 💡
There are prizes in every round, it’s free to enter, and yes… there are free refreshments too ☕🍪

📅 Friday 30th January
⏰ 6pm
📍 Volunteer Centre, 95 Abingdon Street, Blackpool, FY1 1PP

Bring the kids, bring your nan, bring your thinking cap.
No pressure, no cost, just clever fun and friendly competition.

Think you’ve got what it takes? Prove it at SMARTYPANTS 🏆

Address

95 Abingdon Street
Blackpool
FY11PP

Telephone

+441253301004

Website

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