Starbucks Market Street, Lancaster

Background to the Project: In it's riverside setting, Ingleton's open-air 20m heated swimming pool is an idyllic place to swim. The pool is managed by the local community. It was dug out and built by local volunteers in 1933. It took a year to complete, opening in July 1934 and was originally filled from the river every week. A major modernization was achieved in 1974 when the pool was reduced in size, tiled, heated and the water treated for the first time. Since then many other improvements have been provided. The Toddlers shallow play pool was lost in the 1974 modernization. We believe it will be fantastic to provide a Splash Zone with a learning and countryside theme to attract and entertain younger children and their families within Ingleton and the surrounding area (the nearest splash park is currently 22 miles (40 mins drive) from Ingleton. Who will benefit: Children from toddlers upwards and their families will all benefit. The pool is currently a very strong tourist attraction for Ingleton. A splash zone will enhance the overall experience visitors and residents currently have, making us a destination attraction for families with younger children. As swimming is a key life skill (and 1 in 3 children leave primary school unable to swim a length) the opportunity to play in a safe and fun water play environment will help increase children’s water confidence. These are the future swimmers of Ingleton pool. There will be a positive (and much needed) financial benefit to local businesses including cafes, shops, pubs, restaurants and accommodation providers. The swimming pool currently opens from mid May to end of August, the introduction of a splash zone will enable us to have an outdoor water attraction for approximately 2 additional months of the year. Outcomes: With a learning and countryside theme the splash zone will: • Provide stimulating interactive water play • Capture children’s imaginations • Stimulate children’s senses • Increase children’s water confidence • Bring water players back to nature • Encourage family-friendly entertainment • Provide an active alternative for a healthy lifestyle • Provide a safe and fun place for children to play It is an ideal, safe recreation attraction for children of all ages, their families, residents and visitors, to complement our beautiful open air pool.

St John’s Hospice has been part of the local community for almost thirty years and provides vital service to patients with cancer and many other life limiting conditions living in our local community of North Lancashire, South Lakes and parts of North Yorkshire. Last year over 1200 people used our services, which included our in-patient unit, a day hospice service which runs weekly sessions to help patients manage symptoms and give carer respite and a Hospice at Home team which provides 24 hour short term nursing care for patients in the final stages of illness in their own home. Our aim is to ensure that on the journey towards the end of life we provide the right care in the right place at the right time. Our Day Hospice runs a weekly Positive Living Group which aims to support the community. The purpose of the group is to act as a neutral platform for a variety of alternative ideas and practices which may offer solutions to the challenges many of us face in this ever changing world we live in. The emphasis is very much on the health of the mind, body, and spirit with a holistic approach. In essence it is the bringing together of people with possible answers with those who have questions. Promoting self-management of conditions prevents unplanned hospital admissions. Patients with life shortening illnesses attend weekly along with their carer (usually their spouse). They benefit from friendship, support and the opportunity to learn techniques to be able to live as positive life as possible with their condition. Our in patient ward has 13 beds which are normally full most of the year. We try to make what will be our patients last Christmas as special as possible and help them to create special memories for their loved ones.

It can be difficult enough leaving home or starting work with a supportive family behind you but for vulnerable young people leaving care, without that support and with a background of abuse or neglect, it can feel like climbing a mountain. Our New Beginnings appeal is raising money for us to support care leavers from across the north of England. Here’s what Jake, who had an abusive and unsettled childhood had to say about working with us one of our care leavers’ programmes. "I developed more in the short times I was at Brathay than I ever did in all the time when I was away from it. The people there are not just staff, they’re counsellors, support workers, psychologists. They’re there to listen. They’re just there for you. When I first started with the project I was a mess and one of the workers took me under his wing and looked after me. Another member of staff sat with me through the night and listened to my story." Around 10,000 young people leave care each year and we know that: Children in care are four times more likely to have mental health problems Children in care are less likely to do well at school than their peers and only 15% of young people in care get five GCSE passes at grade A to C. We want to work with care leavers who need our support to gain the skills and confidence to live independently and get into employment or training. They will be learning what makes a good employee, taking on work placements, learning how to budget and cook for themselves and taking their first steps to being independent adults.