We've tried to list as many groups and associations in the Lancaster & Morecambe Bay Area as we can find. We'll add more groups/details here as the information becomes available.

The categories are a bit arbitrary - if you think your group is wrongly classified, just let us know.

Animal Welfare, Interest, Protection Art & Drama Cultural Disability Eco-, Sustainability & Conservation Health Heritage Overseas Aid Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trangender Literary

Music (Bands, Choirs, Centres, Promoters etc) Photography, film, video, multimedia Political Parties Pressure Groups Social & / or Philanthropic Special Interest Spirit / Religion / Meditation Sport / Activity Support Groups (for illness-related / carers see 'Health') Trades Unions Youth Organisations

ANIMAL WELFARE / INTEREST / PROTECTION
See also our environmental sustainability groups page

Lost or stray dogs can be reported to the Lancaster City Council Dog Warden Service. f you have lost your dog during normal office hours, report it to the Dog Warden Service on 01524 582935. Outside these hours, contact the strays kennels on 07931 220 094.
The Dog Warden service regrets that it CANNOT help with stray cats or other animals.

Animal Care
Blea Tarn Road, Scotforth, Lancaster, LA2 0RD
(Between 11am-3pm)
Animal Care takes in, cares for, and finds new homes for a large number of dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals, large and small, as well as undertaking a conservation programme with their land involving tree planting and care. The organisation promotes respect for all forms of life.
The Blea Tarn Kennels are usually open 365 days each year from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, focussing on finding new homes for stray dogs and cats and miscellaneous small animals. They are always looking to recruit dog walkers and volunteers - get fit and make some four legged friends who will never laugh at your clothes or chat up your best friend (unless your best friend is an attractive Labrador)

Animal Rights Group (Lancaster & S. Lakes)
Email: lancasteranimalrights[at]hotmail.co.uk
Postal address: c/o Larc, The Basement, 78a Penny Street, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1XN
Tel: 07928488610
LARG are a group of concerned people who are campaigning towards a better world for animals. They argue that animal exploitation is unnecessary for sustainable human existence, and are taking a pro-active approach to creating a society where cruelty is no longer commonplace. They do this through peaceful activities such as letter writing, educating, signature collecting and attending demonstrations. They meet informally once a month to plan activities, contemplate the state of the world and socialise with like-minded people. Newcomers are always welcome!

Birdwatching Society (Lancaster & District)
The prevalence of wild birds and other wildlife is a key indicator of environmental sustainability. The society rganises indoor meetings and field trips, collecting records of birds seen, and organising surveys with the BTO and others.

Cats Protection League (Lancaster & Morecambe)
P.O. Box 179, Morecambe, LA3 1WL
Cats Protection houses cats and welcomes volunteers.

Creepy Crawly Roadshow
Email: carrievale@hotmail.com
Tel: 0781 380 6460
Website: www.creepycrawlyroadshows.co.uk
We are an exciting, interactive mini-beast roadshow.
We can come to your school, nursery, workplace, Brownie and Scout group, youth club or child's party.
Professional experienced presenters who are CRB cleared.
Fun, affordable and educational.

Heysham Hedgehogs Wildlife Watch monthly group
(3rd Saturday each month). Come along and investigate how small mammals live at Heysham Nature Reserve, learn how they survive and what they feed on.
Fee: £1. Booking is ESSENTIAL.
For more information and to book a place contact:
Emma Garston Tel: 01524
855030. Mobile: 07717366812. Email: egarston@lancswt.org.uk. Website:
http://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/

The Oldies Club
A charity dedicated to finding older dogs new homes. Everyone who works in the Oldies Club is a volunteer. We live all over the country to provide national cover. The Oldies Club does not have kennels or offices - we all work from home to help dogs find foster homes until they are adopted. We make sure the dogs in our care receive full vet treatment and assessment in foster homes before we adopt them out. As we are volunteers, donations made to the charity really do go to help the dogs and not to pay for offices and overheads. So please support our Vet Fund Appeal with a donation.

RSPB Lancaster Local Group
The group's aim is to support actively the work of the RSPB in the local community and to involve RSPB members and the wider public in the Society's conservation, public affairs, education, fundraising and other activities. Regular field outings are held in a variety of locations in the Lancaster area, some jointly with the Lancaster and District Birdwatching Society. So, if you would like to have fun and meet like-minded people, contact us and help make a difference for birds and wildlife. tel: Tel: 015395 63280
See also Leighton Moss RSPB Nature Reserve in Silverdale.

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester & N. Merseyside.
Local group is the North Lancashire Naturalists' Group. Contact: John Holding (Secretary). Tel: 01524 852482.
Activities include indoor evening meetings at the Unitarian Church Hall, Scotforth, Lancaster and Outdoor Meetings, and Working parties (weather permitting).

Wolfwood Animal Sanctuary
Set up in 2007 in donated accommodation south of Lancaster just off the A6. Since then it has cared for a steady flow of unwanted and lost dogs, urgently needing new homes.
Rescued wildlife is housed, from hurt and injured hedgehogs and orphaned baby hedgehogs, and injured birds and other animals.
In separate fields are the eight rescue horses and ponies that Wolfwood is permanent home to, and where volunteers have built a new stable, to their own design.
Charity shop at Bowerham Road, Lancaster LA1 4BN tel 07971 518 335 during opening hours.
Info, volunteering, donations (please) etc , contact Wolfwood by email at wildlife[AT]wolfwood.co.uk, tel: 07931 220 094 web: www.wolfwood.co.uk.

ARTS & DRAMA

See our gallery for all arts and performance listings.

CULTURAL

Lancaster International Twinning Society
Lancaster's Twin Towns are: Aalborg (Denmark), Lublin (Poland), Perpignan (France), Rendsburg (Germany) and Vaxjo (Sweden). Lancaster also has contacts with Viano Do Castelo (Portugal) and Almere (Holland). These links create contacts between businesses, schools, sports clubs, choirs, bands and other organisations. To find out about meeting visitors from our twin towns or more info on related activities tel: 01524 67889.

Lancaster Islamic Society
Fenton Street, Lancaster LA1 1LA.
Tel: 01524 64131

Lancaster & Morecambe Bay Chinese Community Association
LMBCCA helps to promote and advance the education of Chinese history, art, culture and traditions to the community.
Kim Leong, Chairman,
Heysham Youth, Community & Children's Centre
Emmaus Road, Middleton Way, Heysham,
Lancashire LA3 2LL
Tel.: 07737958804

Hua Xian Society
First Floor, 58 Queen Street, Morecambe LA4 5EP
Tel: 01524 400161
Aims to provide opportunities for the Chinese community in and around the Lancaster District, to get involved in the wider community and positively contribute to local life.
A volunteer led group encouraging people from all backgrounds to engage in voluntary work and community activities.

OVERSEAS AID

Double Joy
Double Joy is a home and school for children orphaned by Aids in Kenya.
It is supported by a UK charity, Friends of Double Joy, which has strong connections to Lancaster, and holds regular events in the city.

Stepping Stones Nigeria
Educational charity founded by two local teachers which has created and maintains a school focussing on the needs of destitute children in Nigeria.

HERITAGE

The Freemen & Freewomen of the City of Lancaster
Founded in 1900 when the Marsh was drained and the land sold. The commoners who thus lost grazing rights had, in exchange, their names entered on a Roll of Freemen and received an annual rent called 'Marsh Grass'. They were also exempt from certain tolls which are no longer levied. Today, only a limited number of names higher on the Roll receive Marsh Grass (about £13). To qualify to become a Freeman you must be male and satisfy one of the following conditions:
1. Be the son of a Freeman or Freewoman
2. Be a native, born within the 1900 Lancaster boundaries.
3. Have lived in Lancaster for seven years continuously
4. Have served a seven-year apprenticeship under a Freeman or Freewoman.
To qualify to become a Freewoman (only possible since 2011) you must be the daughter of a Freeman or Freewoman.
Lancaster City Council plans to legislate to eradicate the gender discriminatory criteria in 2011/2012.
Admission takes place annually, at the Court of Admissions in June/July. Application forms from Lancaster City Council

Friends of Carnforth Station

Friends of Real Lancashire
1 Belvidere Park, Great Crosby, Lancashire L23 0SP
Tel. 0151 928 2770 Email: csd@forl.co.uk
"The Friends of Real Lancashire are concerned to promote the true identity of our county which has been extremely confused in the minds of some people, especially those working in the broadcasting and newspaper industries, since the local government reorganisation of 1974."

Friends of The Victoria Pavilion /
aka Morecambe Winter Gardens

Lancaster Archaeological & Historical Society
The LAHS is over 25 years old. During the winter the society runs a lecture programme at St. Paul's Hala Hall in Scotforth, Lancaster. See our events section for information. Tel. 01524 412445

Lancaster Civic Society
The Civic Society plays a major part in preserving Lancaster's old buildings. Through the Lancaster Design Award scheme it promotes public awareness of good design. The Society offers a lecture program (2nd Weds of the month from Oct - April 7.30pm Lancaster Town Hall), summer outing to a North-west town and Country House, evening guided walks around local villages, regular newsletter, "Good" and "Ugly" Walks and is involved in the National Heritage Open Days scheme every September (see what's on).
Membership secretary tel: 01524 33411

Lancaster Family History Group
Strong local organisation founded in 1990. Aims to promote family history research, compile indexes of local monumental inscriptions in gratitude for all the other splendid indexes that we use and to develop resources, so members can benefit by using them at the regular Group meetings.

Mourholme Local History Group
Covers the area of the old parish of Warton, which included Warton-with-Lindeth, Borwick, Carnforth, Priest Hutton, Silverdale, Yealand Conyers and Yealand Redmayne.
There are eight evening meetings between September and April, at which people knowledgeable about our local history talk and answer questions. There is a summer outing, led by a specialist in a particular field of local history. Research is encouraged. No prior experience of research is needed, only enthusiasm.
The Society meets in Yealand Village Hall at 7.30 pm on the fourth Wednesday of the month (except the December meeting which is on the second Thursday) from September to April.

Slyne with Hest Local History Group
Meets regularly during the Autumn and Winter to hear talks and have discussions on all matters relevant to the history of the village and the district. The group also organizes guided walks around the village to visit places and buildings of historical interest. They currently curate the Hest Bank Wharf Exhibition

MUSIC
Links to our Music Gallery
(Bands, choirs, classes, promoters etc)

LOCAL POLITICAL PARTIES

Lancaster Anarchists Group

Conservatives
• Lancaster and Fleetwood Conservative Association

The Green Party
• Green Party (Lancaster)

Liberal Democrats
• Lancaster & Fleetwood Liberal Democrats

Labour Party
Learn more about Labour in Lancaster
and Scotforth West.
See: www.lancasterlabour.com & www.scotforthwestlabour.com

LOCAL PRESSURE GROUPS

See our sustainability page for environmental, transport and animal welfare organisations.

Amnesty International - Lancaster
The local Amnesty International group in Lancaster has relauched in early 2008. It meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in the upstairs meeting room in the Gregson Arts & Community Centre on Moorgate, Lancaster.
Annual membership is £10 (£5 unwaged). The group is currently focusing its campaigning on the human rights situation in China.
Contact lancaster.amnesty[AT]googlemail.com for more details, or visit http://www.amnesty.org.uk/lancaster

It's Our City
Campaign group formed in response the city council's decision to deal exclusively on the Canal Corridor Development with clone town developers Centros Miller, without any tendering process and in opposition to the results of the consultation by the Real Planning for Lancaster team.

Lancaster and Morecambe Trades Union Council
(L&M TUC)
Umbrella group for trade union branches to discuss and campaign on political and employment issues. Also operates resource centre for trade unions and public groups.
178A Lancaster Road, Morecambe LA4 5QP.
Tel: (01524) 413600
Email: lmtuc@pop3.poptel.org.uk

Lancaster District Access Group
Tel: 01524 410571
Charity campaigning for dropped kerbs, wheelchair accessible toilets, etc etc etc. Meets 1st Thurs of month from 12-2pm at the Queen Victoria Centre, Morecambe. New members welcome.

Lancaster District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND)
Aims: As a member group of National CND, we work for nuclear disarmament worldwide, by promoting and organising campaign activity, by issuing regular newsletters, and by building relationships with like-minded organisations.
Activities: We organise events to inform ourselves and the public on issues related to nuclear weapons. We also participate in local, regional and national campaigning activities and demonstrations. We hold regular meetings to discuss and prepare campaign activities. These are announced in the website and newsletter and are open to all members.
See website for more info.
Email: contact@lancaster-district-cnd.org

NO2ID
A National campaign opposing proposals for compulsory imposition of ID cards in the UK.
Lancaster branch contact email: lancaster@no2id.net

SOCIAL +/or PHILANTHROPIC GROUPS

Heysham Townswomen's Guild
Tel: 01524 850015
Meets regularly to hear speakers and other activities.

Hua Xian Society
First Floor, 58 Queen Street, Morecambe LA4 5EP
Tel: 01524 400161
Aims to provide opportunities for the Chinese community in and around the Lancaster District, to get involved in the wider community and positively contribute to local life.
A volunteer led group encouraging people from all backgrounds to engage in voluntary work and community activities.

Lancaster Muslim Welfare Society
71 Blades Street, Lancaster LA1 1TS
Tel: 01524 35124

Lancaster & Morecambe Lions Club
Prime aim is fundraising for local charities and community projects, including helping individuals. The club also has a strong social side.

Lancaster Round Table
Fundraising for community projects - organises the annual Beer Festival in March among many other events. Email: Table@wyresoft.co.uk

Morecambe Bay Credit Union Ltd
Credit Union Information Centre, 38 Poulton Rd, Morecambe.
Tel: 01524 411240
Saving together for a better future. Member benefits include: flexible savings, low-cost loans, no hidden charges, free life insurance. Save for 13 weeks and you can apply for a loan. Loans are low-cost, have no hidden charges, hassle-free and ther is no penalty charge for early repayment. All services are regulated & authorised by the Financial Services Authority. Collection points are located at local community centres throughout Lancaster & Morecambe. New volunteers are welcome.

Morecambe + Heysham Rotoract Club
Meets alt. Weds at the Hest Bank Hotel.
Develop new interests, sports or activities, help others, make friends.
Tel: 01524 847350 or 07790 676373 or 01524 736900 or E-mail: morecambe@rotaract.org

Proud Youth aRe Out (PYRO)
This group for lesbian, gay and bisexual young people in the Lancaster & Morecambe area, meets weekly at a confidential venue. Activities include discussing relevant issues, nights out as a group, trips to other youth groups, arts projects, video making and more. For further information telephone or text Lenny on 07717 301821 between 7.00 and 9.00 pm on Tuesdays.

Lancaster & Morecambe Realm Exchange
Creating a Real Economy At Lancaster & Morecambe
http://realmexchange.co.uk/
Now we don't need to wait until we have £££'s to be able to trade our time, our skills, our resources and our knowledge. We don't need to visit banks or holes in the wall in order to trade goods or services with other members of our local community. We don't need to pay interest on loans to ask for others to give us a helping hand. All we need is an unlimited supply of realms to record our transactions and help us to keep track of what our community members are exchanging with each other - which we have waiting here for you to start making use of.

Soroptimist International of Lancaster
We are like-minded women with a social conscience working globally to make a difference.  Local charities which we are currently working with include Life Education Centres for Lancashire and Lancaster and District Homeless Action Service.  We have been making Story Sacks for schools in Lancaster for a number of years. We are a very active and friendly club, meeting twice a month on Thursdays at Central Lancaster High School.  Please visit our website for further information.

Women at the Gregson (WAGs)
Although International Women's Day has been an annual celebration for almost 100 years, in recent years little has taken place in the Lancaster and Morecambe district to mark this event.
On 8th March 2009 six women got together at The Gregson to informally mark the day. As a result of this, it was agreed to meet on a monthly basis and make the group open to any woman in the district who wished to attend. Initially, the group met to discuss a range of issues and topics but, after meeting 2-3 times, and more women becoming involved, it was decided to also organise an event for International Women's Day 2010.
The group meets on the second Sunday of each month to discuss topics, issues and ideas. Additionally, further meetings take place to organise the International Women's Day event for 2010.

Lancaster & District YMCA
Heart of the City", Fleet Square, Lancaster LA1 1HA
Tel: 01524 32737
Information Shop: 01524 389696
Email: ymcalancaster@btconnect.com
Online shopping portal: http://www.buy.at/lancasterymca
Young Peoples Nightclub; Y Information Shop for young people; Healthy Lifestyles Education project; "United" Anti-racist Football Project; Floating Tenancy/Housing Support for Young people inc Deposit Guarantee Scheme; Family Mediation Service; Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme; Yz Up Young offenders Project; plus the Heart of the City Project which will incorporate a number of community schemes, including Community Radio Lancaster.

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

Campaign for Real Ale - Lunesdale branch
We are the only group in this area trying to speak up for the beer-drinker and pub-goer (and not just campaigning for real ale, despite the name).
We do this mainly by producing publications, holding publicity events and lobbying the people who can do things.
Lunesdale CAMRA is one of some 200 branches of the Campaign for Real Ale which works throughout the UK and is in turn linked with similar organisations in other countries.
Like all the other CAMRA branches, Lunesdale is entirely voluntary, run by and for the members who turn up to make it work.
All CAMRA members are welcome to come to our meetings. Anyone, member or not, is invited to our social events.

Lancaster & Morecambe Computer Club
Started in 2000. Meets first and third Wednesdays of the month, 7.30pm at the Lansil Social Club. Small friendly club with a good mix of experience.
Info tel: 01524 421621 or 855166 or
email: davidhayleyhaigh@hotmail.com

Lancaster Eurodance
Traditional dance and music, French, Kletzmer, Balkan and more. First Tuesday of the month, 8pm. £2 per session. Contact jess.abrahams@googlemail.com or call 01524 383940.
See whatson for session information.

Forces Chatter
Website for friends and families of members of the Armed Forces set up by local mum Judith Bray.

Friends of Lancaster Library
Meetings are held monthly on a Wednesday evening.
This group aims to promote Lancaster Library in the local community and to proved a forum to help develop facilities and activities in the Library. Members welcome! Please leave contact details at the Library if you are interested in getting involved.

Lancaster Chess Club
The club meets at the Reform Club, at the bottom of Moor Lane in Lancaster, from 7.30 onwards, every Tuesday and Friday, from the end of September until the beginning of May. All players of any ability are welcome. We organise a variety of competitions and have teams in the local league.
To contact the Club Secretary, email dick.collins@btinternet.com or call 01524 60242.

Lancaster & Morecambe Fuchsia Society
Meets monthly at Lansil Sports & Social Club with a speaker on topical fuchsia-related issues. Also organises an Annual Show and other activities. Info tel: 01524 65940

Lancaster & Morecambe RC Lasers
11am (nearly) every Sunday. Lakeland Leisure Village, Nr Carnforth. Free.
Quarter scale Laser sailing boats do battle around an Olympic style course. New participants very welcome.
Model boats restricted to RC Lasers only.

Lancaster Linux Users Group.
meets primarily at 7pm, on the first Tuesday of the month at the Lancaster Resource Centre (LaRC) and is also currently meeting on the third Tuesday of the month in the Yorkshire House also beginning arround 7-8pm. See site to subscribe to the mail list (also any updated meeting arrangements).

Lancaster and Morecambe Model Aircraft Club

Lancaster & Morecambe Rail Users Group
Tel: 01524 33077
Pressure group that meets regularly and represents users' concerns to rail service providers.

Lancaster Photographic Society
Lancaster Photographic Society is for anyone with an interest in photography. Everyone is welcome! We meet on Wednesday evenings from October to May at Lancaster Methodist Church at 7:30pm.
Meetings are a mixture of talks, portfolios, show and tell evenings and competitions.
Website: lancasterphotographicsociety.org.uk

Morecambe Bay Amateur Radio Society
We meet at the Trimpell Sports and Leisure Club, Out Moss Lane, Morecambe every Tuesday evening from 19.30. The Trimpell Club is also licenced as our training center and we are licenced to provide all levels of amateur radio licencing and training courses. Even if you're not from the area or club and would like to take an exam please feel free to enquire about our exams and courses
We hold a variety of events, from Video nights, talks, competitions and social evenings. We also have field days and other activities going on through the summer, have a look at the events page. for further details.
MBARS will happily take donations of offered radio equipment, masts and the like, which can help the club not only with training new members but also to enhance our small station. Should any local charities or businesses like to offer aid in this way we would all be very thankful.

Morecambe Bay Naturists.

Morecambe Grammar School Former Pupils.
MGS1970 is a site dedicated to tracing former pupils
Email: mgs1970@mail.com

Sewing Cafe
Transition City Lancaster's Arts group are holding Sewing Cafes at Lancaster library (back meetings room) from 2-5pm every Monday afternoon. This is a skills swap group: bring your sewing or textile project and finish it with the support of a friendly group or come and be inspired to start something new. No charge.
www.transitioncitylancaster.org

St John Ambulance Lancaster City Unit
Meets every Tuesday in St Peters Cathedral Community Centre between 7:30 and 9:30 pm. The members carry out first aid cover at community  and sporting events. If you are interested in joining us, come along to one of our meetings and see if St John Ambulance is for you.

The War Den
Meets Sunday (6-10pm) for Games Workshop players; and Thursdays from 7-10pm for roleplayers and board gamers, at the Gregson Centre, Lancaster

Lancaster & Morecambe University of the 3rd Age (U3A)
The Lancaster & Morecambe U3A is a thriving organisation, currently with over 500 members. Membership is open to all those no longer in full-time employment, and people of all backgrounds, ethnicity or beliefs are equally welcome to join. Although affiliated to the national Third Age Trust, the Lancaster & Morecambe U3A is run on an entirely independent basis with a Committee drawn from within the membership itself.
While the aim of the U3A is to provide a learning experience for those in the “Third Age” of life, this is done in a very relaxed setting. There are over 60 groups meeting regularly (mostly at the Friends Meeting House), covering a wide variety of interests, including history, music, science, languages, art – and there are a number of walking groups, too.
There is a low annual subscription (at present £15 for a single person, £28 for a couple) with a charge of 50p being made for each indoor group meeting, and £1 for the monthly meeting held at the Dukes Theatre (and the prices include refreshments!).
Want to know more? Then visit: www.lancasterandmorecambeu3a.org.uk.
Or contact: John Harman, 01995 603232, email j.harman[AT]virgin.net

SPORT/ACTIVITY
See our sports associations page

Galloway's Society for the Blind
NW Lancs charity supporting blind and partially-sighted people. Est. 1867. Equipment, centres (Lancaster, Morecambe, Carnforth, Preston etc), weekly social activities, classes, talking newsletter, holidays, outings. Galloway's Society for the Blind, Howick House, Howick Park Ave, Preston PR1 0LS Tel: 01772 744148

Lancaster District Children's Integration Group
Supporting families of children with educational, behavioural and physical special needs. Speciality: assisted support during school holiday periods, accessing activities and organising outings.
Contact: secretary Ian Birkill, 29, Longlands Avenue, Heysham, Lancs. LA3 2NU.
Tel: 01524 859725
Email: ldcig@hotmail.co.uk

Lancaster District CVS
Lancaster District CVS provides support for a wide range of voluntary organisations in the Lancaster District.
Lancaster District CVS produces a monthly bulletin (featuring the latest news, funding opportunities, jobs and more) and a Directory of Voluntary Organisations in the Lancaster District.
Lancaster District CVS organises a celebration of volunteers through the annual Volunteer Achievement Awards ceremony.
More information about all of the above is available from the website: www.lancastercvs.org.uk

National Childbirth Trust, Lancaster, Morecambe & District Branch
The NCT Lancaster, Morecambe & District Branch is one of the NCT's network of over 300 local branches in the UK, run by volunteers and dedicated to supporting parents via a range of services including antenatal courses, breastfeeding support, bumps and babies and crawlers groups, coffee mornings, Nearly New Sales, a resuable Nappy Library to borrow and try out and much, much more.
We want to help parents-to-be and new parents get together to form a friendly and accessible support network as well as local antenatal and breastfeeding support. We welcome new ideas and more volunteers, so please do come along to our next meeting, give us your suggestions and let us know if you would like to get involved in any way.
Find us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/NCTLancs
http://www.facebook.com/CrawlersAndCruisers

Lancaster & District Women's Aid (LDWA)
(Living and Dealing with Abuse)
Reg Charity No 1012353
PO Box 669, Lancaster, LA1 2ZP
Lancaster and District Women’s Aid operate a range of support services including HelpLine, outreach, tenancy support, drop-in advice, counselling, children’s outreach and access to Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy.
We can provide specialist training to groups, agencies and professionals working with domestic abuse. We also provide a Polish speaking advice and support drop-in service.
Help Line:
Monday - Friday 10am - 2pm and 24 hour ansaphone.
Tel: 01524 38 36 36 or Freephone: 0800 612 1507.
Donations / office line 01524 389637
Email: helpline[AT]ldwa-support.org

TRADES UNIONS

Unison - Morecambe Bay Health Branch
We represent many Health workers in the Bay Area.
Email: contact@mbhb-unison.org.uk
We are very active in equality issues:
email: equality@mbhb-unison.org.uk

YOUTH ORGANISATIONS

Girlguiding Lancaster and Garstang.
For info on Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and Ranger Groups in and around Lancaster please email div.comm@hotmail.com.
Rainbows are the youngest of the Guiding family aged 5-7, they get involved in all kinds of activities in their meeting places every week, in a safe and creative environment they are able to make new friends, meet new challenges and learn positive values for life – it can be the start of an exciting journey to Brownies, Guides, Rangers and beyond!
There are currently 4 Rainbow Groups in Lancaster that have lots of girls that like to have fun, investigate, try new things and take on new challenges, and they need more adult helpers to keep the fun going!
Could you help us out? Are you over 18 with a sense of fun? We can help you learn everything you need to know all you need to bring along is enthusiasm!

Go4it
Lancashire County Council Young People's Service website with lots of local activities, organisations, offers, opportunities, info and other stuff for young people.

Lancashire Association of Boys and Girls Clubs
1 Meeting House Lane, Lancaster, LA1 1TQ.
Tel: 01524 65106.

Lancashire County Council - Child Protection in Education

Lancaster Boys Club
Dallas Rd, Lancaster (opp Dallas Rd Gardens)
Lancaster Boys Club has been providing activities for the young people of Lancaster for over 75 years. Open to boys and girls it provides activities including mountain biking, art, water sports, outdoor pursuits, football, boxing, table tennis, quizzes and much more. Part of the Lancashire Association of Clubs for Young People it is able to tap into a network of member clubs and provide real learning and rewarding opportunities for all young people.
Info Tel: 01524 32020.

Lancaster District Children's Integration Group
Supporting families of children with educational, behavioural and physical special needs. Speciality: assisted support during school holiday periods, accessing activities and organising outings.
Contact: secretary Ian Birkill, 29, Longlands Avenue, Heysham, Lancs. LA3 2NU.
Tel: 01524 859725
Email: ldcig@hotmail.co.uk

Lonsdale Scouts
Boy + girl recruits welcome to take part in scouting activites such as camping, pioneering, badge work, abseiling, climbing, forestry and much, much more. Covers W. Lancs.
Info message line: 0870 197 8182

1st Morecambe and Heysham Boys' Brigade
A Christian uniformed youth group for boys aged between 5 and 18. Varied activities include camping, mountain biking, watersports, climbing, caving, football, table tennis, badminton, quizzes, interest classes, electronics, model making, pool, warhammer, basketball and much more.
Email: info@1stmorecambe.net

PYRO - Proud, Young + Out is a new local group for young lesbians, gays and bi-sexuals. It's backed by the Youth + Community Service.
Tel: 07717 301821. (7-9pm Tues or leave message.)
Email: pyro@ed.lancscc.gov.uk

UK Youth Parliament

Unique
Are you between the ages of 18-30?
Do you have a disability? Do you want to develop new friendships?
Do you feel the need to get out and about more?
Unique is a Social Group for young adults with disabilities and their friends aged between 18 and 30 years of age, predominantly from the Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham areas of Lancashire.
For more information on Unique, please do not hesitate to contact Michelle Senior on 01524 34411 or alternatively e-mail us at one-voice@btconnect.com

YMCA - Lancaster
Contact info above
Yz Up Young offenders Project, "United" Anti Racist Football Project, Y Information Services for young people Y Fitness - gym with saunas, Healthy Lifestyles Education project, Floating Tenancy Support for Young people; Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme plus the Heart of the City project which incorporates training opportunities, Courses for priority groups - young people, the elderly, disabled people, people on low incomes, ex-offenders and Asian women. Services that allow single parents access to YMCA activities, learning opportunities and social interaction. Programmes that bring families together.