BFriend and Well-being

22/11/2025

🎅🛠️ ALL ABOARD FOR THE FESTIVE EXPRESS! 🚂✨

Today our amazing staff and volunteers rolled up their sleeves for Santa’s Workshop – testing, fixing, polishing and generally giving a little TLC to loads of donated toys so they’re ship-shape and ready for their next stop… a brand new home! 🧸🔧

The office is now toy-tally overflowing, and we couldn’t be more grateful to all the kind-hearted gift-givers who have helped make this possible ❤️ You’ve really... Sleighed it!

Now we’re steaming full speed ahead towards our main event…

🎄🚂 The Festive Express
📍 Holy Cross Church
📅 4th December
🕙 10am to 2pm

Climb aboard our magical train-themed experience with festive “stations” for different age groups, a volunteer-led wrapping station to get those presents looking tree-mendous, and a limited selection of food & drink to keep your engines running over Christmas! Grab your free train tickets on arrival and then swap them out for gifts and goodies along the journey 🎁🚉

So don’t miss the chance to chug along, stock up on Christmas cheer and make this season extra merry and bright! 🌟🌟🌟

Next stop… FESTIVE FUN! ❄️🎉
All tickets please! 😉🎫

21/11/2025

🎄 Winter Wellbeing Drop-in – Ibbison Court, Blackpool 🎄
We’re having a lovely time today at the Winter Wellbeing Event over at Ibbison Court! The atmosphere is warm, welcoming and full of festive cheer. ✨

If you’re nearby, bob in and say hello – Andrew and Pauline are here, hugging the radiator and would love to see you. 💙

Come for a chat, a smile, and a little wellbeing boost!

20/11/2025

Ever proud of all our young volunteers, Thomas, Olivia, Mia, Lily and Jacob ❤️

For today’s theme of , we’re sharing a brilliant initiative from our coast of social action: Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre, where Power of Youth signatory Blackpool Volunteers has started a new project and is working with 5 participants aged 11–17 who host an intergenerational befriend breakfast every Saturday morning with elderly people.

Here’s what some of the young people involved had to say about their experiences volunteering and how it makes them feel:

Lily – age 15
Makes me feel very happy and confident. I love talking to people and feel very comfortable and safe. I really love talking to people.

Jacob – age 13
It makes me more comfortable around people and has made me less socially awkward as I can comfortably make conversation with people my age and older than me.

Mia – age 17
It makes me feel happy that I’m making others happy. It gives me confidence talking to others of all age groups and backgrounds. I feel good, I’m giving something back.

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United Youth Alliance

19/11/2025

🌟 Join Us for Our Monthly Family Fun Quiz! 🌟
This month BFriend & Wellbeing are hosting a special “BFriend Quiz of the Year” — all themed around the highlights of 2025! 🎉

🗓 Friday 28th November
📍 Volunteer Centre, Abingdon St. FY1 1PP
⏰ 6pm – 8pm
💜 FREE entry

Bring the whole family for an evening of fun, laughs, and friendly competition.
✨ Prizes for every round
☕ Free snacks and refreshments provided

We can’t wait to see you there!

17/11/2025

A huge thank you to Blackpool parkrun for their amazing donations to our Festive Express. ❤️

These will bring many smiles on Christmas morning.

16/11/2025

Thank you so much Tesco and Emma at Tesco Blackpool for the amazing donation of wrapping paper, tags and ribbon for our Christmas family support event the "festive express" 🎄🤶❤️

15/11/2025

I may not have won the Community Champion Award tonight, but I truly feel like a winner thanks to all of you. 💛

Thank you so much to everyone who nominated me — your support, belief and kindness mean the world. Huge congratulations to the very deserving winner, Peta Jade from Wandering Woman 👏✨

I also want to give a heartfelt thank you to my amazing team of staff and our wonderful volunteers. You are the heartbeat of everything we do. To my partner and children — thank you for putting up with the long hours, late nights and weekend work. I couldn’t do any of this without your patience and love.

A big thank you as well to the Volunteer Centre and, most importantly, to the participants of our service — you inspire me every single day.

And finally, thank you to Fylde Kids Foundation for hosting such a fantastic event and for recognising so many incredible people in our community.

Feeling grateful, proud, and even more motivated to keep going. 💛🙏✨

Volunteer Centre Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde
Fylde Kids Foundation

15/11/2025

🌟🌟Good Luck to Project Lead and the beautiful face of BFriend and Well-being, Pauline Winder who is nominated for Community Champion in the 2025 Fylde Coast Community Awards which are held tonight.🌟🌟

Fingers and toes are crossed as it is a much deserved nomination along with all of the nominees tonight.

We hope everyone has a great time. 💙

Here is picture of Pauline trying out one of her posh frocks for the event. 😬😂

14/11/2025

Thank you SO MUCH to Blackpool parkrun for helping us with our Christmas Toy & Joy Drive: The Festive Express!

Feel free to drop any donations off between 9-10am Stanley Park Clock Tower on Saturday the 15th or 22nd.

The roster is looking good - but we do need a few more barcode scanners.
Have you seen the poster ... have you got your donation ready? Don't forget we're collecting for BFriend and Well-being both this Saturday (15th) AND Saturday the 22nd!
Watch this space for some exciting news about next Saturday the 22nd!!⭐⭐⭐

13/11/2025

⛔ Important update ⛔

Due to building issues we have to cancel tomorrow's Friday friendship group.

Please share and if you know of anyone who attends but does not use Facebook please let them know if possible.

Back to normal next week.

Volunteer Centre Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde

12/11/2025

🎁🚂 Festive Express Joy & Toy Drive — just 22 days away! 🚂🎁

We’re counting down to a day of giving and glad tidings on Thursday, 4 December 2025! Help us spread cheer by donating new, unwrapped toys for children and families struggling to make ends meet in our community.

Here’s how you can help:
• Drop off at the Volunteer Centre Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde, before the 3rd of December.
• Time: 10am -2pm
• Holy Cross Church, Central Drive, Blackpool

Every gift matters. Share this post, bring a friend, and let’s load up the Festive Express with JOY! ✨

🎁And if you are struggling this Christmas, please come down and see what is available without judgement.🎁

08/11/2025

Today, as Befriending Week closes. We’re shining a bonus spotlight on Sue, one of our wonderful Group and Telephone Volunteers here at BFriend & Wellbeing! 💛

Sue plays a huge role in creating welcoming, friendly spaces — whether she’s supporting people over the phone or helping them connect during group sessions. Her warmth and encouragement help others feel comfortable, included, and able to share openly.
Through her time, compassion, and patience, Sue helps reduce loneliness and builds confidence among those she supports. Her conversations brighten days, and her presence helps people feel seen, supported, and part of a community.

Thank you, Sue, for the positivity and care you bring to every conversation and every group. Your dedication helps build the meaningful connections that sit at the heart of befriending. We are so grateful for all you do. 💙

And if you want more information on our groups please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.