News & updates
Co-op members chose Blue Flamingo as the cause to support! ​
We want to send the biggest, most sincere thank you to every single person who supported the Blue Flamingo Community Hub through this platform!
We are so grateful for your support. This funding is more than just a number -- it is an investment in human connection and support right here in Preston.
Here’s what your support helps us do:
💙Be a Lifeline for Carers: You are helping us provide vital respite and peer support for the incredible individuals who dedicate their lives to caring for a loved one.
💙 Combat Isolation: Your generosity directly funds the coffee, crafts, and activities that make our sessions a true safe haven where older adults feel less isolated and more alive.
💙 Strengthen Our Team: It helps us cover our core costs, ensuring our dedicated team can focus on delivering high-quality, compassionate care week after week.
Thank you, @coopuk and thank you to your fantastic members! Your support truly amplifies our ability to be there for the most vulnerable members of our community.
We're re-launching our Fulwood sessions with a new format! ​
Starting in September, we'll be resuming our Fulwood sessions at Our Lady & St Edward's, but with a slight change in format.
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What it means: our time has changed, so we'll now be running sessions from 12.30 - 2pm and our focus will include movement along with our singing. This will be a great way to stay active, enjoy music and the company of others in a friendly and inclusive environment. We will continue to provide a light buffet-style lunch. As always, there is no need to book and donations are welcome.
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These sessions will run on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month. The dates for the next quarter are as follows:
11 & 25 September
9 & 23 October
13 & 27 November
11 December
Starting in November 2025, we will be a placement hub for UCLan physiotherapy students. ​
The Blue Flamingo will serve as a hub for student learning as we become a registered placement provider for physiotherapy students from UCLan. This initiative will give students invaluable first-hand, real-world experience as they engage directly with people from the community. By bridging classroom knowledge with practical application, students will be equipped to introduce safe movement techniques and lead more sessions focused on mobility exercise. This collaboration aims to enhance both student learning and community health outcomes.
We now offer dementia training!
Our team leader, Erin, has recently earned the NCFE Cache Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Dementia Care.
This qualification, coupled with her personal lived experience of caring for her mother-in-law who had mixed dementia, gives Erin the knowledge and understanding to provide dementia training to others.
Whether you're an informal unpaid friend or relative helping to look after someone with dementia or you're a professional paid carer, Erin can give you knowledge, tips and advice on how what dementia is and how to better care for a person living with the condition.
Bespoke courses are available to fit your individual needs and unique situation. To learn more, contact Erin today: theblueflamingocafe@gmail.com or 07462 320349.
Blue Flamingo is MECC certified!
Our volunteers understand the importance of listening to our members. They take time to check in with them, listen to their worries and challenges, and helps signpost them to the appropriate support. The MECC (Make Every Contact Count) training programme helped instill in our volunteers the confidence to speak with our members, reinforching the concept that everyday interactions are opportunities to improve health and wellbeing. Each of us to play a part in making a difference in the wellbeing of others!
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There is overwhelming evidence that changing people's health-related behaviour can have a major impact on some of the main causes of premature mortality and morbidity. Health and care/social care organisations in particular have a significant potential to encourage, inform and enable people to make decisions that may enhance their health and wellbeing.
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When you visit Blue Flamingo, you can relax knowing that we're there to look out for you. We pride ourselves in offering a welcoming space, free of judgement, where you are surrounded by people who care and have your best interests at heart. Everyone leaves Blue Flamingo feeling better than they did when they arrived! Join us and you will see why!
We've been selected as n-compass Charity of the Year!
The staff of n-compass and Lancashire Carers Service have chosen Blue Flamingo as the Charity of the Year! We've also been featured in the newest edition of their carers magazine. We couldn't be more happy, humble and proud!
We were a finalist in the 2024 BBC Radio Lancashire Make a Difference Awards
Our friends at Let's Grow Preston nominated us for this prestigious award. Although we didn't win, we were shortlisted which in itself is a huge accomplishment. And we got to attend the ceremony at Blackpool Tower which was exciting!
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