It's now been 6 months since Charley Wilkinson joined the Fleetwood Trust as our CEO.
Here she sums up what's turned out to be an eventful time ...
"Firstly, I would like to say its been an amazing experience and journey so far and I have been both humbled and inspired by the Fleetwood community, residents, voluntary groups and organisations like ours all making difference. It really is an honour to join such a great place and to have been taken into the hearts of people.
My first six months have been a challenge to say the least, in main due to the current pandemic which we find ourselves in. We have never experienced anything like this before and I hope for everyone that it will be over soon. I started a new job in a pandemic and when all meetings are done via a laptop it's never the same as face-to-face. I can't wait to meet residents and colleagues in the flesh when we feel it is safe to do so and share stories over a coffee.
The vision of the Trust remains very much the same and alive. We want to bring a 'Community Hub' to the much-loved hospital building, an incredible space with enormous potential. We are so fortunate to continue to have the presence of the NHS in the Outpatients facility and we look forward to fostering this relationship with them directly and the wider NHS over the coming months and years as we progress the renovation of the building.
We have welcomed Faith in the Community who are running The Pantry which is needed now more than ever and our other partner Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Volunteer Centre who will be running a range of services for the refugees who have chosen Fleetwood as their home.
I would also like to say thank you to the Trustees who had the initial vision and passion to come together to make a difference to their local area.
Finally, in 2021 both myself and the Trust wish to work more with the community and engage with you to ensure that the hub will be for you and is what you need. I very much look forward to meeting you in person when we can work together and bring to life your building.