What a summer it’s been in Ryelands. 💛
Over the past few weeks, our Chief Officer, Yak, Community Action Network Officer Rachel and the Ryelands Residents Group group have each week been helping to provide positive activities and, just as importantly, a safe and welcoming space for local children and young people.
And they've come away from the experience with just as much as they've given...
This summer brought together an incredible mix of young people from different communities, backgrounds and experiences. On paper, there may have been plenty that made them different. In reality, it didn’t take long for them to discover just how much they had in common.
They laughed, learned about one another, made new friends, looked out for each other and created a space where everyone could feel that they belonged.
There was plenty of old-school fun too phones down and games of Bulldog, Tracking, Kirby and Tin Can Lurky! There was cooking and learning about what our bodies need, creativity and art, and lots of opportunities for young people to express how they see the world around them.
And amongst all the fun came some brilliant conversations - funny, challenging, thoughtful and, at times, genuinely insightful.
Those conversations have been an important reminder of why spending time with communities matters. Listening directly to young people, hearing what matters to them, what they need from the adults and services around them, and what we could perhaps do better is something that will be carried back into work across communities, health and social care.
As Yak put it...
“Sometimes giving your time to young people and the community isn’t about what you can give them, it’s about what they give back to you.”
He’s also apparently done the equivalent of about 100 squats and is absolutely goosed. 😅
A brilliant summer, and some pretty special young people. ❤️
Lancaster District CVS
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We support voluntary organisations across the Lancaster District in their work to make a difference.
Lancaster District CVS is the city-wide infrastructure organisation for the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector; providing specialist information, advice, development support and opportunities for influence and collaboration. We do this by providing advice and support around governance, fundraising, policies and strategies, building and promoting networks and partnerships, running th
21/08/2026
Who do you use for HR? Is your accountant right for your organisation? Which CRM actually works? And who do you call when you suddenly need advice on governance, compliance or fire safety?
Sometimes the best recommendation doesn’t come from a Google search. It comes from another organisation saying, “𝙒𝙚’𝙫𝙚 𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙.”
That’s the thinking behind our BIG Swop Shop.
On Thursday 17 September, we’re bringing Lancaster District’s VCFSE sector together with professional service providers for an afternoon of useful conversations, shared experience and practical advice.
🔄 Meet trusted providers across HR, finance, banking, legal services, insurance, governance, compliance, CRM, digital, accessibility, fire safety and more.
🔄 Compare notes with other organisations - what works, what doesn’t, who they recommend and what they’ve learned along the way.
🔄 Bring your own questions to facilitated table discussions and tap into the combined experience in the room.
If you’re reviewing a provider, looking for specialist support, trying to solve an operational headache - or simply want to know what options are out there - come and swop knowledge before you make your next decision.
📅 Thursday 17 September 2026�🕐 1pm – 4pm�📍 More Music, Morecambe
For trustees, staff and volunteers from charities, community groups, faith organisations, social enterprises and other not-for-profits across Lancaster District.
The BIG Swop Shop – discover trusted services, gain expert advice and make better decisions.
Delivered in partnership by Lancaster District CVS and Lancaster & Morecambe Chamber of Commerce.
Reserve your places here: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/GURH
20/08/2026
Not sure what comes after Year 11? 🤷♂️ You don’t have to have it all figured out just yet.
Lancashire County Council’s Youth Futures Team is holding two friendly drop-in days for Year 11 leavers today and Monday who might be unsure about their next step.
Whether you’re thinking about education, looking for work, weighing up your options or just need someone to talk things through with, the team can offer free advice and practical support.
No appointment. No pressure. Just drop in and have a chat.
Thursday 20 August, 9am–4pm
Stanleys Community Centre, Morecambe, LA3 1UT
Monday 24 August, 9am–4pm
Lune Park Family Hub, Lancaster, LA1 2LN
20/08/2026
To everyone receiving their GCSE results today...we wish you all the very best. 💙
We've said it before and we'll say it again...whatever is written on that piece of paper, be proud of how far you’ve come. Results can open doors, but they don’t define who you are, your potential, your character, or where you’ll eventually end up.
There are so many different ways forward and yours is only just beginning.
From all of us at Lancaster District CVS, congratulations on reaching this milestone 🌟
19/08/2026
What happens when you get people who care about the West End around the same table?
Plenty to talk about – and plenty to build on.
Today’s West End CAN meeting at the Hothouse gave partners another opportunity to connect, share what’s happening locally and continue turning the ideas gathered through WE CAN into a practical action plan.
We talked about the WE CAN Statement of Values, volunteering, the Big Swap Shop, Pride in Place, Community Unity and consultation, as well as looking again at our priorities and where collective effort could make the biggest difference.
Our developing action plan is now bringing that work around three shared ambitions:
🏘️ Civic Pride – a cleaner, greener, brighter West End we can celebrate
🤝 Stronger Community Connections – helping people meet, belong, participate and lead
🌱 Better Opportunities – listening, building evidence and working together to influence positive change
There’s lots still to shape, but that’s exactly what a Community Action Network is for: bringing different voices, organisations and ideas together and working out what WE CAN do collectively.
A big thank you to everyone who joined us today, and to More Music for hosting us at the Hothouse. 💙
What CAN we do together for Morecambe’s West End? 💬
Today’s West End CAN meeting brought local partners together at the Hothouse, kindly hosted by More Music to connect, share what’s happening and keep moving ideas towards action.
From volunteering and Pride in Place West End to community connections and better opportunities, the conversation continues – and we want more people to be part of it.
💬 Join the conversation. If you’re involved in the West End and would like to find out more about WE CAN, contact [email protected]
Could volunteering give your career a boost? 👀
In our latest Lancaster Guardian article, we look at how volunteering can build valuable skills, strengthen your CV, open up new experiences and help you stand out to employers.
Whether you’re starting out, changing direction or looking to develop professionally, volunteering could take you further than you think.
👉 https://lancastercvs.org.uk/give-your-career-a-boost-through-volunteering/
14/08/2026
We’re having a brilliant afternoon at Lancaster City Council Housing's Family Fun Day! 🎉
Sharon, Yak, Jenny and Rachel from Lancaster District CVS are down at King George’s Playing Fields chatting with the community and sharing advice about the support available locally.
Come and have a chat about getting support to quit smoking, finding volunteering opportunities, connecting with local community groups and services, or simply finding out a bit more about what Lancaster District CVS can help with.
There’s plenty of fun happening too, with games, activities and some rather competitive hula hoop action!
It’s been lovely speaking to so many people from the local community. The fun continues until 3pm, so pop down, say hello and come and see us!
King George’s Playing Fields, Lancaster
Today until 3pm
13/08/2026
To everyone receiving their A-level results today...a huge CONGRATULATIONS on getting here! 👏
Whatever is written on that piece of paper, it represents years of learning, effort, challenges, changes and determination.
Celebrate the results you're proud of. And if today hasn't gone quite as you hoped, remember, there is more than one route to where you want to go.
Your results are part of your story. They don't get to write the rest of it.
Congratulations to young people across the Lancaster District and good luck with whatever comes next. 💛
There’s an eclipse in our skies tonight… but Lancaster District’s young people aren’t standing in anybody’s shadow. 🌒✨
For , Catherine Westwell from RISE Young Lancaster District shares why young people are at the heart of what RISE does – including three brilliant young people who recently joined the RISE Board.
Because young people aren’t simply the leaders of tomorrow. They have ideas, experience and voices that matter right now.
Here’s to a Lancaster District where every young person is heard, happy, inspired and dared to believe. 💚
And a big shout-out to all the organisations, professionals and volunteers across our district working alongside them every day.
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