‘One Fylde’, a leading St Anne’s-based charity, is celebrating a ‘Summer of Success’, making this year one of the most noticeable in its history.

‘One Fylde’ CEO Tracey Bush said, ‘It’s been a fabulous few months with awards, nominations, medals, new openings and other accolades.  It’s been a remarkable time and I’m truly proud of all the team and people we support.  Well done to everyone involved!’

The latest milestone saw the charity open a new specially-adapted house in Thornton for four people ‘One Fylde’ supports, following a programme of conversion and refurbishment.

Tracy explained, ‘This is part of our strategy to contribute to the wellbeing of everyone who is part of One Fylde, and to ensure that they are treated with respect and enabled to live the best life possible, with assistance from our wonderful support workers.’

This is the most recent in a series of achievements for the ambitious organisation. One Fylde, which is headquartered at Whitehills Business Park, Blackpool, is a locally-focused, independent and community-led charity, providing person-centred support, accommodation and exciting enterprises for adults with learning disabilities and autism across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. The organisation supports over 240 individuals and provides employment for nearly 400 staff.

Other summer highlights included:

• One of the people supported, Joanna Miller, from St Anne’s, winning a hat-trick of bronze medals at the North West Special Olympics in the dressage, working trails and horse care categories.
• The Mayor of Fylde, Councillor Cheryl Little, inaugurating the charity’s new Queensway Park Farm site at an event showcasing the range of services offered.
• One Fylde’s Recycling team clinching the Environmental Impact Award at Coastal Radio’s ‘Local Heroes’ Awards.
• Another of the people the charity supports, Alison Malings, from St Annes, being recognised for three years’ consistent service with the Salvation Army.
• Finally, its CEO Tracey Bush was nominated as a finalist in this year’s prestigious Enterprise Vision Awards (EVAS), which are the UK’s largest honours dedicated solely to women.

These latest successes come on the back of ‘One Fylde’ earlier this year being rated ‘Good’ in its latest Care Quality Commission (CQC) report in recognition of its work, as well as ‘Outstanding’ in the ‘Well-led’ category. This stringent inspection regime ranks all registered care providers nationwide and is seen by government and others as the industry benchmark for quality.

‘It’s been an incredible summer, as part of a truly outstanding year,’ said One Fylde Chair David Stanhope. ‘Many congratulations to all the team, members of the One Fylde family and everyone involved, these are all memorable achievements and milestones in the long history of the charity.  It’s a proud day for everyone. We endeavour to do good wherever we can and we empower our supported individuals to make meaningful contributions and gain life experiences. And, importantly, to demonstrate the outstanding contribution that people with learning disabilities and autism can make to their community.’

David continued, ‘We provide services to local businesses and people within the community, showing people with learning disabilities in a positive light and reducing the stigma sometimes associated with the people we support. By using our friendly service, you are supporting One Fylde and the people we support.’

One Fylde’s purpose is “to contribute to the wellbeing of everyone who is part of One Fylde, and to ensure that they are treated with respect and enabled to live the best life possible”.

This is exemplified by Alison Malings (pictured below), who said, “I love my voluntary job, I have stayed in the job for three years because I love working there, they are very kind to me. We share things together and talk about things and chat on our hour break. I love doing the children’s clothes, hanging them up and tagging them. I like sorting the shoes out as well. I pair them up and put elastic bands around them and put them back in the boxes. I love my job.’

Michelle Riches, One Fylde’s Director of Operations & Quality, explained the Recycling team were similarly delighted to win the Environment Impact accolade. ‘It’s brilliant for the team to be recognised in this way and for our work to help protect the environment and make recycling easier for businesses to be acknowledged. We’re thrilled.’

The One Fylde Recycling Team (pictured below) provide regular cardboard, paper, soft plastics and textile collections from local businesses across Blackpool and the Fylde.  They collect between 5 and 8 tonnes each week.  The bailed products are then sold onto a recycling company to raise funds, while its Gardening group offers garden maintenance to homes and businesses across the Fylde Coast, with both groups run as small enterprises.

If you would like to make a donation to support One Fylde, please go to www.onefylde.org/donate/