I was pleased this week to be invited by Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership to share my thanks for the efforts of care workers across Fylde. Of course I jumped at the opportunity.
There is no doubt in my mind about the crucial role social care workers play in our local communities and the incredible work they do. Care is not merely about providing basic support. It is about empowering individuals, giving them independence and ensuring families are able to spend precious time together. I know care workers have faced some astonishing challenges over the past two years. They deserve our gratitude, certainly more so than can be expressed in a 30 second video or 350 words. They also deserve our support, to ensure they are able to continue to go about their work with vulnerable people across Fylde.
I recently met with the managing director of a local care provider and heard about the challenges she faces meeting growing demand. Recruiting and retaining staff was perhaps the biggest single issue we discussed and we agreed on the need to change the perception of social care as a career. It is, after all, far more than just a job, it is a vocation and an opportunity to change lives for the better.
On Friday I met up with Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden to officially re-open the front counter at Kirkham Police Station. In doing so Andrew has met a key pledge he made in his campaign and has answered the calls I have made on behalf of people in Fylde. The front counter re-opening is a landmark moment but just one piece of a jigsaw which ensures we have more visible and accessible policing here in Fylde. With more officers based locally and a more flexible approach to deployment, people living in Fylde can have more confidence in the police to protect our communities.
I took the opportunity to discuss with Andrew and his senior officers the issue of speeding and road safety in Wrea Green. On Friday morning I visited the village primary school to see the artwork pupils have prepared to highlight road safety and challenge drivers. The posters they have produced will soon be going on display on local roads and I hope drivers will listen to these young voices and take that little bit more care to prevent further accidents.
Projects like the Preston West Distributor and new Moss Road should help reduce the volumes of traffic through the village at peak times in the future. In the meantime please do listen to the children of Ribby with Wrea CE Primary and drive safely as you pass.