Communities Together

Lancaster District Communities Together

Bringing together diverse communities to share news, information and activities

Communities Together provides a forum where community members and representatives of key agencies can come together, build relationships and share experiences and knowledge with a view to improving community cohesion, a sense of belonging and taking part.

The purpose is to encourage and promote positive relationships between diverse and emerging communities and groups in the district and to organise and support events that celebrate diversity, welcome newcomers and promote positive relationships between communities.

The group also act as a link between local communities and statutory agencies including Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire Fire and Rescue and Health.

Group/Organisation Name	Contact details	About	Events/ Meeting Times
	Email: lancslakesjc@gmail.com Website here	We are a small, inclusive community of Jewish people, those of Jewish heritage and friends, open to all. We hold services for the High Holy Days and some other festivals at Lancaster University’s Jewish Rooms, plus numerous other cultural and social events throughout the year.	-
Christ Church Lancaster	Rev'd Carol Backhouse Phone:01524 942 105 Email: www.christchurchlancaster.org.uk	A vibrant, inclusive worshipping community (Church of England). Wyresdale Road, LA1 3EA	-
	Phone: 01524 587069 Email: lancaster@firstlighttrust.co.uk Website here Facebook group here Address: FirstLight Trust 63-65 Market Street Lancaster LA1 1JG	Community Charity providing on the ground support for veterans of the Blue Light Services and Armed Forces. Our Café hub is open to Veterans and the public and provides a safe place for socialisation and activities plus a door to accessing supporting for those that need it	Wednesday – Coffee & Chat- 10am-12pm Every Wednesday we host our Coffee and Chat at the hub to offer a space for Veterans to meet and discuss matters with our support workers
Lancaster Serene Reflection Meditation Group (Soto Zen)	Visit website here Contacts: Kathryn Shirra Gibb on 01524 39918 Paul Taylor on 07963 369076	A long-established Zen meditation group with links to Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey, and affiliated to the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives (OBC) Zen lineage.	Meetings on Monday evenings 7.30pm - 9pm. Most Mondays introductory meditation instruction is offered at 6.30pm, free of charge. Newcomers very welcome. Some meetings are in-person at the Friends Meeting House and some online. See webpage.
	Visit website here Email: societyhelp@lancastersu.co.uk	Every Lancaster University student automatically becomes a member of the union and we’re here to support our student led clubs and societies, provide recreational and competitive sporting opportunities, co-ordinate volunteering projects, run environmental and sustainability projects and offer advice and guidance in all aspects of life. We also run student facing social enterprises in Lancaster; ‘Central’ shop on campus, ‘SU Living’ student accommodation provider and ‘The Sugarhouse’ nightclub.	There are currently circa 50 cultural and faith societies established on campus, reflecting the diverse and global nature of the student body. Each year these groups host hundreds of events and activities for their student and wider communities. These include events for Holi, Christmas, Eid and Chinese New Year. Keep an eye on the events listings on the Students’ Union website for forthcoming events. Events are planned and organised by the elected student leaders from respective groups, and are planned at the start of each academic year. If you’re interested in collaborating with any groups please email societyhelp@lancastersu.co.uk
Lancaster Integrated Care Community (ICC) part of Morecambe Bay Hospital Trust	Visit Facebook group here	Integrated Care Communities bring together partners (organisations, services, community groups, community leaders, charities) locally to work Better Together, to help improve the health and wellbeing of our community. We look to fill gaps in health care provision by facilitating set up of support groups where there is an identified need; we provide groups and organisations the opportunity to network, collaborate and draw on each others skills, knowledge and strengths and we also have a team of care coordinators who can visit people to support them fulfil any unmet health or social care needs.	Lancaster ICC hosts a Community Wellbeing Competition every year and this year, the 4th, is a collage competition depicting iconic Morecambe Bay scenes. 120 templates have been given out, the biggest competition to date and the aim is for children, young people, community groups and residents of care homes to come together to work on a project that promotes and stimulates meaningful conversations whilst having fun.

Groups that are supported in the Lancaster District

• Hindu
• Lancaster University and University of Cumbria academic and student community
• LGBT+
• Jewish
• Baha’i
• Chinese
• Traveller
• Polish
• African
• Huaxian Chinese
• Muslim
• Interfaith group

To find out more about becoming part of Communities Together please email communitiestogether@lancaster.gov.uk