Rachel, Author at Active Lancashire

NewsOctober 16, 2025October 16, 2025byRachel

Pendle YES Hub showcases its services to Burnley MP

Staff from local youth employment service, Pendle YES Hub, recently welcomed Burnley MP, Oliver Ryan, to learn more about the services and opportunities they provide for young people in the area.

The visit provided a first-hand insight into the Hub’s impactful initiatives for local youth who are seeking employment and support, whilst allowing the MP to meet young people who have benefited directly from the Hub’s services.

During his tour, Oliver explored several of the Hub’s key facilities that play a vital role in supporting local young people. He began in the Boxing Gym, where the Box Champions programme, from Empire Fighting Chance, helps participants to build confidence and resilience through sport, before visiting the Games Room – a relaxed space used for both recreation and one-to-one sessions that help new participants feel more comfortable engaging with staff. The tour concluded with the Bike Hire Library, an initiative funded by Pendle Borough Council in partnership with Active Cycles, and offers free bike hire for up to one month, encouraging physical activity and providing a sustainable travel option for work, training, or leisure.

Oliver also met with several young people who are currently using the YES Hub, hearing first-hand how the support provided has transformed their lives. One such individual is Aaron Hipgrave-Lewis, who began to access the YES Hub in October 2023 following a referral from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Since joining, Aaron has launched a career as a musician and recently released his first EP. He now volunteers twice a week at the YES Hub, giving back by teaching guitar lessons to other young attendees.

‘Pendle YES Hub shows the real difference local investment can make for young people. From building confidence through sport to helping them take their first steps into work, the team are transforming lives. It’s exactly the kind of community-led support this Labour government is determined to back – creating opportunity and hope across our towns.’
Burnley MP, Oliver Ryan on visiting Pendle YES Hub

The tour concluded with Oliver meeting DWP staff based at the Hub to learn more about its holistic support model – which combines wellbeing activities with practical employment guidance to help young people move closer to education, training, or work.

He also met with Youth Engagement Worker, Mehvish Ashraf, who shared her excitement on the potential of future collaboration with the MP. She said: “It was great to welcome Oliver to the YES Hub and showcase some of the services that we offer. It’s clear that Oliver cares deeply about supporting young people in accessing employment and training opportunities, so we’re really excited to see what the future holds for our relationship with him and look at different ways we can collaborate to achieve our shared mission.”

Pendle YES Hub is a one-stop-shop for Pendle’s young people ran by Active Lancashire. The service is funded by Positive Action in the Community, The Department for Work and Pensions and Pendle Borough Council, alongside a range of local partners who provide free courses, social activities, mental health support and more.

The Hub is designed to build the confidence, health and wellbeing of people aged 16 – 24, and to boost their employability through skills training and work experience. Pendle YES Hub is based at 39-41 Scotland Road, Nelson, BB9 7UT and is open Monday to Friday, 9am – 3.30pm.

More information about Pendle YES Hub can be found at: www.activelancashire.org.uk/projects/pendle-yes-hub

NewsSeptember 16, 2025September 16, 2025byRachel

Active Lancashire welcomes three new independent board members

Active Lancashire is thrilled to announce the appointment of three new professionals to its board as independent members: Zaynab Jogi, Nigel Murray, and Georgina Roby. Each brings a wealth of expertise and passion to help the charity drive positive change in local communities.

Zaynab “Zee” Jogi

Zee Jogi (L) pictured with Active Lancashire Board Member Joanna Robinson (R) and Former High Sheriff of Lancashire Helen Bingley (C)

Zaynab, known to many as Zee, is a Blackburn and Lancashire-based community leader, adventurer, and charity founder. She made history as the first British Muslim woman to achieve two Guinness World Records on Mount Kilimanjaro, conquering both the gruelling trek to Uhuru Peak Basecamp (5,364m) and a demanding obstacle course at 5,644m alongside 45 athletes from 26 countries.

Six years ago, she founded Z’s Defence Academy, a charity focused on breaking down mental health barriers for people of all ages through sport, outdoor pursuits, self-defence, and volunteering. At its heart, the Academy helps vulnerable women build resilience, confidence, and life skills to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

Zee said: “Our aim is to inspire people to achieve through adventure and to conquer their fears. By overcoming obstacles and maximising their potential, they can enrich the perception of generations. The charity’s mission is to engage, educate, and empower.”

With 17 years of volunteering experience, Zee is also a qualified fitness instructor, boxing coach, mixed martial artist, and the only British female self-defence course instructor in the North West.

Nigel Murray

Nigel is the Managing Director of Booths, the Northern family-owned retailer with 25 stores and over 175 years of history. Since joining in 2015, he has played a pivotal role on the Booths Board and Executive team, while also contributing nationally as a member of DEFRA’s Food & Drink Sector Council and Chair of the Food Resilience Industry Roundtable.

A Blackburn native and proud Northerner, Nigel began his career in food retailing with Safeway, Tetley, Asda, and Greggs. He is also a Trustee of The Creative Health Trust UK, a Commissioner for Yorkshire’s Fix Our Food Commission, and an Ambassador for Lancashire.

Outside his professional career, Nigel is a passionate cyclist and fundraiser. In 2021, he completed the full Tour de France route as part of a team of amateur riders raising over £100,000 for Cure Leukaemia, and under his leadership Booths has committed more than £400,000 to blood cancer research at Blackpool Teaching Hospital.

Georgina Roby

Georgina is a highly experienced strategic senior manager with over 25 years in marketing, communications, and cultural development across the public, private, and charity sectors. A Chartered Marketer with a BA (Hons) in Public Relations, her career began with Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, where she championed sport, leisure, and culture.

Her later work with Wigan Council included leading award-winning digital strategies and securing £36m in external cultural funding within five years. More recently, she helped deliver a £1.3m arts and cultural programme for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 across ten UK host cities.

In June 2025, Georgina joined Lancashire County Council as Head of Cultural Services, and she is one of two nominated officers from LCC on the Active Lancashire Board.

Outside work, Georgina lives in rural West Lancashire with her family. A dedicated yogi with over 20 years’ practice, she is also a member of the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, reflecting her commitment to wellbeing and the natural environment.

Adrian Leather, Chief Executive of Active Lancashire expressed his delight at the new additions, stating: “We are thrilled to welcome Zaynab, Nigel, and Georgina to our Board. They each bring unique skills, experiences, and perspectives that will be invaluable as we continue our mission to reduce inequalities and improve health and wellbeing across Lancashire.

“Their leadership and passion for community will help us continue our mission of embedding movement, sport, and physical activity in the lives of people across our county.”

Find out more about Active Lancashire’s Board and the work they do to support Lancashire

Guest BlogSeptember 16, 2025September 16, 2025byRachel

Spencer Clarke Group Donates School Uniforms to a UK Leading Charity

This year marks the second time specialist education recruitment agency, Spencer Clarke Group have teamed up with Home-Start Blackpool, Fylde, and Wyre to provide school uniforms to help low-income families in need. Spencer Clarke Group is an award-winning recruitment agency that operates nationwide. They help schools find experienced teaching and support staff on a daily, temporary, temp-perm and permanent basis.

Launched in 1973, Home-Start Blackpool, Fylde, and Wyre is a UK leading charity which provides support to families with young children. They offer tailored, in-home assistance to help parents build the skills, confidence and strength they need to nurture their children.

Spencer Clarke Group has donated 190 pieces of school uniforms including 76 shirts, 12 skirts, 12 pairs of trousers, 45 pairs of socks, 4 school bags, 11 pinnafores and 30 jumpers. They have also donated 46 stationary packs to ensure children have the equipment they need to succeed in the classroom.

By working with Home-Start Blackpool, Fylde, and Wyre, Spencer Clarke Group knows that the uniforms and stationery will reach those in the local community who need them most.

Data from the Department for Education shows that a complete uniform and PE kit costs families an average of £442 for secondary pupils and £343 for those in primary school. Despite statutory guidelines that were brought in two years ago to say schools in England should keep branded clothing to a minimum, parents still find it challenging to pay for school uniforms.

Education Managing Consultant, Paul Best said “As an ex-Teacher myself, I saw firsthand the struggles families faced with school uniforms so working as part of a business that always do what they can to help schools, students and parents is so rewarding.”

Research by SecEd found that two in five families still struggle to afford school uniforms, which is why donations from businesses like Spencer Clarke Group can make a huge impact.

Managing Director, Mike Shorrock said “Early childhood experiences have a huge impact on a child’s development and future outcomes. If children don’t have basic essentials – such a clean well-fitted uniform – it could negatively impact them later down the line.”

Mike continued, “Every child deserves to start the school year feeling confident and ready to learn and if we can take away some of the pressure on parents, it’s important for us to do this.”

Please contact Home-Start Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre on 01253 728615 for dates on when and where they can be collected.

Guest BlogSeptember 8, 2025September 16, 2025byRachel

Back to School: Tips for a Strong Start to the Term

The summer holidays are over which means that normality must resume. For teachers, returning to the classroom after a six-week summer break, it can feel overwhelming to get back into the swing of things. However, the start of a new term is a great time to create the right mindset for a successful year ahead. In this guide from education recruitment agency Spencer Clarke Group, you will learn helpful tips to achieve a balanced start to the term, whether you’re an early career teacher or a seasoned pro!

Tips for teachers going back to school

Back to school tips for teachers returning to school, include:

Pace yourself.
Plan and prepare.
Stay positive and enthusiastic.

Pace yourself

As you return to the classroom, you might feel the urge to tackle everything at once. However, it’s important to take your time. Educators who pace themselves effectively are more likely to maintain focus, positivity and resilience throughout the entire term. They are also more likely to avoid burnout.

Teachers manage demanding tasks including lesson planning, meeting parents, marking and teaching the academic syllabus. They need time to stay on top of their workload while fostering a healthy work-life balance and getting to know their students.

Teachers will benefit by establishing a realistic schedule in which to complete responsibilities. By creating a balanced schedule, teachers can maintain the quality of their work, stay organised, and ensure they are giving their best to their students.

Plan and prepare

One of the most important things teachers can do to ensure they start the school year right is to get organised. Educators need to have strong planning and preparation skills to create a structured lesson framework. Effective planning sets clear rules and routines in the classroom, allowing teachers to concentrate on their students and adapt to their needs successfully. It ultimately enhances student understanding and ensures that teachers can create focused and successful learning experiences for all.

For a balanced start to the term, teachers can create their own personal development plans as well as plans for their students.

Effective planning goes beyond classroom strategies and organising supplies. It also involves preparing snacks, lunches, and clothes to wear the night before. This approach allows teachers to avoid the stress of rushing around and start as they mean to go on.

Stay positive and enthusiastic

After a six-week break, teachers are likely feeling refreshed and excited to return to the classroom with renewed motivation. With a positive mindset and enthusiasm for the new term, teachers can inspire their students and create a greater sense of belonging at school.

Being a positive influence and a role model for students at the start of the school year can help create a collaborative culture in this classroom.

Teachers who are positive, supportive and empathetic help pupils feel understood within the classroom. This can enhance performance and foster positive teacher-pupil relationships, resulting in positive outcomes for academic learning, development and wellbeing.

By adopting a positive attitude towards teaching and supporting students, teachers can start the new school year well and create a safe, thriving environment.

What do Teachers need for back to school?

Having a Teacher checklist is crucial to start the new year right. Educators need to feel prepared, and a well-stocked classroom is essential. This includes everything from stationery and supplies to display equipment.

Must-haves classroom supplies for Teachers:

Antibacterial wipes.
Tissues.
Hand sanitiser.
Stationary including pens, pencils and whiteboard markers.
Stickers.
Sticky notes.
Paper clips.
Labels.
Stapler.
Notice or bulletin board.
Blu tack.
Storage bins.
Healthy snacks.
A water bottle.

Who is Spencer Clarke Group?

Spencer Clarke Group is a specialist education recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Operating nationwide, they help schools to find experienced teaching and support staff on a daily, temporary, temp-perm or permanent basis.

After growing exponentially since they launched in 2017, Spencer Clarke Group was named Recruitment Agency of the Year at the 2024 Recruiter Awards.

Author: Rachel