Champions bring wide range of support to people across Lancashire

Six county councillors have been undertaking the role of 'champion' with the aim of supporting the community, both individuals and groups, by attending events and offering financial support using grants totalling £60,000.

The champions are:

• County Councillor Joan Burrows of Penwortham East and Walton-le-Dale – older people
• County Councillor Alf Clempson of Poulton le Fylde – armed forces and veterans
• County Councillor Stuart Morris of Morecambe North – mental health
• County Councillor Scott Smith of Whitworth and Bacup – young people
• County Councillor Paul Rigby of Fylde South – parishes
• County Councillor Carole Haythornthwaite of Great Harwood, Rishton and Clayton-le-Moors – disabled people.

Each of the councillors must release an annual report, detailing how their grant funding has been allocated.

This year's work and projects include; the installation of defibrillator devices in parishes such as Woodplumpton and Melling with Wrayton, braille displays at the Galloways Society for the Blind, and engineering programmes in schools across the county by Primary Engineer Limited.

Moving forward, the champions have said they want to reach out to more people across Lancashire, ensuring that this funding can make a difference to even more residents in the coming year.

County Councillor Joan Burrows, Champion for Older People, said: “I have visited a variety of amazing groups across Lancashire who offer activities for Older People.

"This coming year I want to promote these activities so that more people across our County are socialising, making friends and developing new interests instead of sitting at home alone.”

County Councillor Alf Clempson, Champion for Armed Forces and Veterans, said: "I have worked with Armed Forces groups and charities with the aim of making Lancashire the best county in the country to be a veteran or indeed to serve. 

"I am proud to say that the council remains fully committed to this aim and strives every day to achieve it."

County Councillor Stuart Morris, Champion for Mental Health, said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed providing funding for local community schemes to enable them to purchase vital materials to enhance the services they provide.

The pleasure it gives me to see the delight of those we help, knowing we as a council are giving vital support to those in need of assistance when they are vulnerable."

County Councillor Scott Smith, Champion for Young People, said: "The highlight of my first year as Lancashire's champion for young people has been getting out and about across the County to see the brilliant organisations who work to help our young people thrive.

"We owe them a huge debt of gratitude and I'm privileged to support them in a small way through my Champion grant."

County Councillor Paul Rigby, Champion for Parishes, said: "I have seen the incredible job that local people do to promote a higher community spirit and help the street scene in their areas. 

"I still have Grant Funding available to help parishes and town councils promote different areas within their boundaries."      

County Councillor Carole Haythornthwaite, Champion for Disabled People, said: "As someone who is still fairly new to this role, I am particularly pleased to have met with people in the Deaf Rights Forum and heard for myself the difficulties they face in communicating their needs.

"The Local Members Grant funding has also led me to a group which arranges dancing and dance leadership training for people with Down's Syndrome and I am looking forward to meeting more inspiring people as the year goes on."

To get in touch with any of our champions, please visit: https://council.lancashire.gov.uk/mgGeneric.aspx?MD=mgChampions