Wyre appoints its new Mayor for 2020/22

At the meeting of full council, putting forward the motion to elect Councillor Kay as Mayor, Councillor Rita Amos commented: “Andrea has previously volunteered to help children and young people from deprived backgrounds in Moss Side, Manchester, to try and improve their lives and did this for 10 years. When moving here, she continued to do this.”

Councillor Amos continued, “She set up summer classes and helped youngsters with their CVs. She has worked to bring the community together, also setting up the Remembrance Tree for lost relatives in Cleveleys.

“Andrea is also the lead member for children and young people and former Armed Forces champion.

“Andrea also completed a charity parachute jump and yes, she is looking for a new challenge!”

Seconding the motion to elect Councillor Kay was Councillor Alan Vincent, who commented: “I can assure the residents of Wyre that they will get a tireless champion of the people who will be as enthusiastic as they are in support of the many causes that they hold dear.”

Councillor Vincent continued: “Not only does she deserve the honour, she is the best suited person, in my view, for the role of Mayor and I have no doubt that she will do it to the best of her ability.”

Councillor Howard Ballard was also elected as Deputy Mayor of Wyre at the meeting of full council.

Proposing Councillor Ballard as Deputy Mayor was Councillor Paul Moon, who commented: “Howard is a co-op pioneer, looking after three charities in the local area. I am sure his fundraising skills will be a great asset to the Mayor.”

Councillor Kay has appointed Doherty’s Destiny as her chosen charity for her term as Mayor.

Doherty's Destiny's objectives are:
• Promoting positive mental health in young people. They have now successfully hosted 2 local music festivals, called ‘#James Fest’ to celebrate mental health awareness week and will continue to run this event annually.
• Establish tower woods as a community park. Doherty’s Destiny has continued to help in reforming the local woodland. If you visit Tower Woods, you will have noticed their signpost which provides crucial information for any vulnerable people in our local community.
• Create a ‘Parents of Suicide Support Group’. Doherty’s Destiny has now opened their much-needed support group for people bereaved by suicide. The group runs monthly and is (unfortunately) attended by many across the Fylde coast. This service is the first in our local community and previously people had to travel to Bolton or Kendal.

Their future initiatives:
Sadly, the numbers of local suicides are increasing year upon year so in addition to maintaining their 3 initial objectives they have decided, with full agreement from the trustees, to include suicide prevention and bereavement. They believe this is where Doherty’s Destiny can most benefit the community. They will continue to support those bereaved by suicide but will also focus on reducing the number of local suicides and will work towards removing the stigma around suicide.

Doherty's Destiny are also working with local high schools actross the fylde coast delivering a programme called 'The Positive Mindset' programme.
It is a 6-week course aimed at improving the mental health and mindset skills of young people to reduce their risk of developing long term mental health problems.The programme involves teaching your people about:
1. How their brain develops and works so that they can gain insight and understanding about how they can control their thinking, feeling and behavioural choices.
2. Mindset strategies for reducing stress, anxiety and worry
3. Mindset strategies to increase their ability to develop optimistic thinking for a successful mindset, that leads them to develop good thinking and behaviour habits.

You can find out more about Doherty's Destiny on their Facebook, Twitter and Intagram: @dohertysdestiny

Councillor Kay also intends to support ‘Men’s Sheds’ and Armed Forces Breakfast Clubs during her time as Mayor.