Morecambe community centre provides food, fitness and fun during the coronavirus lockdown

A Morecambe community centre is providing food, health and wellbeing support and even online quizzes and exercise classes to people in the West End during the lockdown.
Adrian Lewis, a Stanley's trustee, who volunteers his time and van to collect food from Fareshare in Preston.Adrian Lewis, a Stanley's trustee, who volunteers his time and van to collect food from Fareshare in Preston.
Adrian Lewis, a Stanley's trustee, who volunteers his time and van to collect food from Fareshare in Preston.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Stanley’s Community Centre in Stanley Road had to close its doors but the manager, Robyn Thomas and the lockdown crew quickly sprung into action.

The centre’s Food Club was already an essential service provided by Stanley’s and now it is distributing £20 worth of food every week to 145 families for a £4 donation.

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The food is collected from FareShare in Preston but as the centre’s van is very old and no longer fit for purpose it’s hoped that someone can sponsor or lend a van with a tailgate or a Sprinter van so that Stanley’s can help even more families at this difficult time.

Charlie Jones, who along with his mum, volunteers at Stanley's and delivers food twice weekly.Charlie Jones, who along with his mum, volunteers at Stanley's and delivers food twice weekly.
Charlie Jones, who along with his mum, volunteers at Stanley's and delivers food twice weekly.

The centre is thankful to Howdens who’ve provided some kitchen equipment so Stanley‘s can also produce takeaway meals for people in need.

Stanley’s is also a contact point for anyone in the West End who might require food parcels provided by the district-wide Food Bank being co-ordinated from Salt Ayre Leisure Centre.

The centre has moved many of its activities online including a family quiz on a different theme every Wednesday; exercise, meditation and mindfulness videos; and one-to-one support for anyone with physical or mental health issues.

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The youth group has also created a TikTok account (username Youth_at_Stanleys) featuring funny videos to help boost everyone’s mood.

For those not online, support by phone can be provided.

Stanley’s would like to help even more people in the West End during the pandemic so is hoping that its application to the Morecambe Bay Foundation Coronavirus Urgent Response Fund will be successful.

The West End of Morecambe is one of the most deprived areas of the country and Stanley’s provides a lifeline for many people.

Manager Robyn Thomas said: “Stanley’s is usually open up to six days a week and because of the lockdown, a lot of people are frustrated that they can’t come to the centre as they would normally do but we‘ve moved very quickly to deliver as many of our services into their homes as we can."

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Anyone with a van they could sponsor or lend to Stanley’s should ring 0777 5874413 or email [email protected]

These are also the contact details for anyone requiring their support.

Further updates are available on Stanley’s Facebook page and Youth@Stanleys Community Centre Facebook page.

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