ABOUT
US
OUR MISSION
& VISION.
MISSION: To support people to improve their lives and wellbeing, and to work alongside communities to build resilience, opportunity, and lasting positive change.
VISION: Thriving, inclusive communities where people feel supported, empowered, and connected, and where everyone has the opportunity to reach their potential.
OUR VALUES.
People first
We listen, respect, and respond to what people need.
Community strength
We build on local strengths and work together.
Empowerment
We help people gain confidence, skills, and independence.
Inclusion
We welcome and value everyone.
Integrity
We act openly, responsibly, and with purpose.
OUR CORE TEAM.
Our Core Team provides the leadership, coordination, and support that keep Community First moving forward. They oversee our organisation’s strategy, operations, and partnerships, ensuring we deliver high-quality, community-led services across all projects.
You can meet the wider Community First family — including the dedicated staff behind each project — by visiting the individual project pages.
Lynn Saggerson
CEO
Emma Whitty- Haddock
Operations Director/Deputy CEO
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Barbara Harcombe
Finance Manager
Rebecca Wells
Business Support Manager
Crisi Hall
Office & Facilities Manager
Jane Pigott
Quality Co-Ordinator
OUR HISTORY.
Over the past 20 years, Volunteer Centre Blackpool Wyre & Fylde has grown, adapted, and evolved in response to the needs of our communities.
As we look back on this journey, we are proud to celebrate two decades of supporting volunteers and strengthening local communities across the area. This milestone year marks not only our 20th anniversary, but also an important moment of change. As our work has expanded beyond volunteering alone, we have evolved into Community First Blackpool Wyre & Fylde.
Today, while volunteering remains at the heart of everything we do, Community First reflects our wider vision: delivering a growing range of services, projects, and support that reach further across Blackpool, Wyre, and Fylde—helping to create opportunities, build connections, and make a lasting difference for everyone we serve.
Below, you can explore our journey in more detail, with key milestones that highlight how far we’ve come.
2006.
Volunteer Centre Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde becomes incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee, evolving from a project of Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde CVS.
2007.
Relocated to North Lodge, Stanley Park. Launched early projects including Health Trainers and Community Learning (later Heritage Champions).
2008.
Registered as a charity.
Volunteer services continue to grow, supporting more people into volunteering.
2010.
Expansion to South Lodge, Stanley Park.
Health Trainers programme evolves into the Blackpool Wellness Service.
2012.
Achieved Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation.
First Blackpool’s Big Thank You event held, celebrating volunteers.
2013.
Achieved first Investing in Volunteers accreditation.
2014.
Winner of the Royal Society for Public Health Health & Wellbeing Award.
2015 -16.
Wellness Service expands to multiple projects, supporting community health and wellbeing at scale.
2016
Faced major funding challenges.
Closure of key services including Wellness and Heritage projects.
Organisation reduced significantly but remained resilient.
2017 -19.
Rebuilt through new programmes including Building Better Opportunities.
Continued delivering volunteering support and community services.
2020.
Relocated to 95 Abingdon Street, Blackpool. Responded to COVID-19 with emergency support including Corona Kindness.
2021.
Continued recovery and adaptation following the pandemic.
Strengthened partnerships and community outreach.
2022.
Expanded into Wyre.
Fleetwood Youth Hub launched with new premises opened in Fleetwood.
2023.
Blackpool CAN launched, strengthening community networks.
Borrow IT Blackpool launched, promoting reuse and sustainability.
2024.
Continued growth of projects and partnerships across Blackpool and Wyre.
Focus on long-term sustainability and community-led support.
2025.
Registered as a charity.
Volunteer services continue to grow, supporting more people into volunteering.
2026.
Celebrating 20 years of impact.
Launch of Community First – a new chapter building on two decades of community work.
New location coming soon…
