Throughout Covid-19, Lancaster City Council has made strong links with community groups, businesses and residents in response to the many negative impacts the pandemic has had on people’s wellbeing. Feelings of social isolation, loneliness, and disconnection have all dramatically increased.
To combat the effects of the pandemic, the council and its partners are launching a Connecting Communities programme to bring people back together and provide support through the recovery from Covid-19.
The programme will kick off on Thursday November 25 with a Community Conversation from 6.30pm-8pm. It will reflect back over the pandemic and the actions which have taken place to date, along with a discussion on the next steps.
Join the event to hear from the following speakers:
- Yak Patel – Supporting diversity, inclusion and social justice
- Sarah Baines – Our wellbeing district and supporting wellbeing and mental health
- Councillor Caroline Jackson – Ending homelessness and fair work and wellbeing
- Rachel Tyrell Smith – Supporting action on food insecurity and community power and resilience
You can sign up for the event by visiting www.lancaster.gov.uk/community-conversation.
Councillor Caroline Jackson, leader of Lancaster City Council, explained: “Although the pandemic has been devastating for many, one of the positives to come out of it is the way communities have worked together to support each other. There have been some truly inspiring examples of people and organisations going the extra mile to provide a glimmer of hope among the darkness.
“We want to build on and use that energy to make positive changes across a range of public services as we continue the recovery from Covid and I would urge anyone who wants to help make a difference to join us at our next Community Conversation.”
The Connecting Communities programme covers three strands:
• Community Conversations
Hosted by Lancaster City Council and its partners in health and the voluntary/community sector, these monthly discussions aim to support wellbeing and community building in our district.
• Community Support Network calls
Monthly online meetings that provide the opportunity for communities to connect with the council and with each other to discuss matters that are important to them and to hear their thoughts about the area and what needs to be improved.
• Communities Together
An opportunity for people from different faiths and the community to come together with representatives of key agencies to build relationships and share experiences and knowledge to improve community cohesion.
If you would like to get involved or just find out more, visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/connecting-communities.


Praise for Lancaster and Morecambe youngsters who took part in 'tongue movement' project
Clinic where students offer free legal advice to reopen at Lancaster University
Lines reopen after train derailment on Scotland-London line
Police arrest two and seize illegal bike in Morecambe
ITV commissions sixth series of Morecambe crime drama The Bay
E-bike shop moves from Lancaster to new Carnforth showroom
Lancaster workshop to tackle the issue of drink and needle spiking
Morecambe raw feeds shop up for three 'Animal Star' awards
Two new festivals proposed for Morecambe entertainment venue the Platform
Second day of disruption as work continues after train derails in Cumbria
Morecambe lifeboat crew’s swift response rescues swimmer ‘being swept dangerously out to sea’
'Street Meets' announced to answer your questions amid new wheelie bin roll-out
Campaign group welcomes new "life changing" bus service to Morecambe
Lancaster prison worker jailed for drug offences
Major disruption as train derails on West Coast Main Line
Talks begin for events to mark Eric Morecambe's 100th birthday
Lancaster music venue due to shut will now stay open "well into 2026"
Halloween What's On Guide
LISTEN: Launch of new group in Morecambe to help with gambling addiction
LISTEN: New centre for people with disabilities to open in historic Lancaster location
