CLIP

25/06/2026

💙 Supporting Carers in Hartlepool 💙
We're pleased to share a new service from our buddies over at Hartlepool Carers that offers additional support for unpaid carers across our community 😁

The new BRIDGIT online platform is available 24/7 and has been designed to complement the fantastic support already provided by the Hartlepool Carers team – not replace it.

👉 https://carers.bridgit.care/app/hplc/ca

Whether you have a question late at night, need information when services are closed, or simply prefer accessing support online, this service could be a useful extra tool to have at your fingertips.

Through the platform you can:
✨ Access information, advice and guidance ✨ Complete a Carers Assessment at a time that suits you
✨ Get answers to carer-related questions through the online support system
✨ Find help and resources whenever you need them

Of course, face-to-face and direct support from the Hartlepool Carers team remains available as always. 01429 283095

Why not give it a try and let Hartlepool Carers know what you think?

👉 https://carers.bridgit.care/app/hplc/ca

25/06/2026

🍓🌞 A Lovely Day at Our Outdoor Space 🌞🍓

Today some of our CLIP members spent time at our outdoor space 😊

With the sun shining, we enjoyed some delicious strawberries freshly picked from our allotment! Served with scones, jam and cream kindly brought along by Tracie.

There was something really special about sitting together and enjoying produce that we have grown in our space. Just look at those strawberries! 🍓😍

There was also some gardening taking place, with members helping to look after the space and seeing first-hand the progress being made. Thank you!!

It was lovely to catch up with Sophie B, Community Cohesion & Resilience Officer from Hartlepool Borough Council, who joined us for part of the day.

Sami Y was working with members as part of our Grow Together Project, supporting people to get involved and make the most of the outdoor space.

We also celebrated Sam's belated birthday with a Happy Birthday singalong and birthday cake! 🎂

There was lots of fun, sun and zen as everyone relaxed, chatted, laughed and enjoyed being outdoors together.

It was fantastic to see so many people there, including some of our younger members visiting for the first time 💙

We got to read the latest Hartlepool Life CIC newspaper outdoors and check out the special The PFC Trust Hartlepool Heroes 2026 pullout too! ✨✨✨

Thank you to everyone who came along, grafted and had a lovely day!

Team CLIP 😊
💚🍓🌱

25/06/2026

Men Together Hartlepool is a group focused on bringing men together, building community, and creating lasting friendships.
They organise a wide range of activities open to men aged 18+

Amazing work you guys!!

All the best 💙

Team CLIP

Another Wednesday Wellbeing Walk with some new faces.💙💚 we have decided to keep these going for the foreseeable future due to the popularity. Thank you to everyone to date for coming along, sharing and support. Keep a lookout 👀 for upcoming events we are planning.

24/06/2026

Hi everyone 😊 If you feel our little charity CLIP is worth your vote, please vote for us here for a chance to receive £5000 from Movement for Good 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼😊

All funding we receive goes directly to support our disabled community in Hartlepool 😁

If you need any help filling it in, let us know and we can help you 😊.

Thank you for your support 🌞

Team CLIP

We could receive a £5,000 donation with your help through the Movement for Good Draw.

24/06/2026

💠 Appreciation Post 💠
We are incredibly proud of our Chair, Hartlepool Heroes Lifetime Achievement Award Winner - Michael Anthony Booth.

Michael has dedicated years to supporting disabled people and helping make our communities more inclusive, but alongside this he has also become a powerful voice for people living with dementia.

After caring for his mother through her battle with young-onset Alzheimer's, Michael himself was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at just 46 years old. Rather than letting his diagnosis define him, he chose to use his lived experience to help others understand that they are not alone.

Since then, Michael has become a respected dementia advocate, giving talks, working with organisations, helping to improve services, and raising awareness to challenge stigma surrounding dementia.

In 2024, Michael published his book, Dementia, You Are Not Alone!, sharing his experiences as both a former carer and a person living with dementia. The book offers support, guidance and hope to people affected by dementia and their families.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dementia-You-Are-Not-Alone/dp/1917367244

More recently, Michael achieved something amazing, writing and publishing a crime novel while living with dementia, demonstrating that a diagnosis does not mean the end of ambition, creativity or achievement. Forget Me Not: The Letter in the Headboard is believed to be one of the first murder mystery novels written by someone living with dementia. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Forget-Me-Not-Headboard-Mysteries/dp/1036971422

Michael continues to inspire people across Hartlepool and far beyond through his determination, honesty and commitment to helping others.

If you're wanting to contact Michael about any of the above, please email [email protected] and we will pass the information on to Michael. 😊

From all of us at CLIP, thank you Michael for everything you do. We are honoured to have you at our charity and proud to call you our Chair. 💙

The PFC Trust Hartlepool Borough Council Hartlepool Carers The Teesside Charity Hartlepool Young Onset Dementia Club Hartlepool College of Further Education Hartlepool Life CIC Hartlepool Opportunities Partnership - HOP Hartlepool Community Hubs

23/06/2026

🌞🥵CLIP's Tips🥵🌞
Summer Sun Safety ☀️

As temperatures rise, it's important to stay safe in the sun and look after yourself and others.

💧 Drink Plenty of Water Stay hydrated throughout the day, even if you don't feel thirsty.
🧢 Protect Yourself from the Sun
Wear a hat
Choose lightweight clothing
Use sunscreen
🤝 Look out for others. Check in on family, friends, neighbours, and anyone who may be vulnerable in hot weather.
🌳 Take Regular Breaks Rest in shaded or cool areas whenever possible.
⏰ Avoid the Strongest Sun During midday hours (11am–3pm), try to stay in the shade.
⚠️ Know the Signs of Heat Exhaustion Symptoms can include:
Dizziness
Headache
Excessive sweating
Feeling weak or tired
Nausea
🚨 Heatstroke is an Emergency Signs include:
Confusion
Loss of consciousness
Hot, dry skin
Very high body temperature
📞 Call 999 immediately if you suspect heatstroke.

Community Led Inclusion Partnership is committed to keeping staff, volunteers, service users, and visitors safe during periods of extreme heat.

Stay Cool • Stay Hydrated • Stay Safe 💙

For more information on CLIP please contact: 📧 [email protected] 📞 01429 226567

23/06/2026

Action Deafness will be joining the Hartlepool Carers Coffee Afternoon, tomorrow - Wed 24th June - at the Community Hub Central (Town Centre Library) 1-2 pm.
There will be free tea and coffee 😊☕

Action Deafness - Support for Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing

Empowering Lives in Hartlepool

Action Deafness offers vital specialist services for Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing people in Hartlepool, designed to enhance independence and improve quality of life.

Their services:
Local Hubs Connect
Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG)
BSL translation and telephone support
Care Act Assessments
Specialist Equipment
AD360 BSL Customer Service
Deaf Awareness Training

Connect With Action Deafness:
📧 [email protected]
📱 WhatsApp BSL video call or text:
Kirsty: 07398 212571
Deanna: 07506 787093

🤟 Call Action Deafness in BSL with AD360 on our website
🌐 actiondeafness.org.uk

Action Deafness is a deaf-led charity providing specialist support and services to help Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing people live independently and stay connected within their communities.

22/06/2026

Tracie Bestford CEO of CLIP on today's opening of Hartlepool's Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub:

“We have consulted with the team from day one looking at accessibility of the building and working with groups of people with disabilities such as Hartlepool Young Onset Dementia Group, Hartlepool Deaf Centre, Hartlepool Vision Support and Hartlepool Carers to look at the plans and give real lived experience co-production.

It's been a pleasure to work with our local authority on this impressive building, they have included us throughout the whole process, including meeting with us regularly and regular visits to the development during the building phase.

We are proud to have been involved and we are looking forward to our community enjoying this fantastic development”

🏊🏼‍♂️🏋🏼‍♂️💪🏼🦵🏼🤸🏼‍♂️👯👨🏼‍🦽👩🏾‍🦼🧑🏿‍🦽👩🏼‍⚕️🧠

CLIP - Supporting Hartlepool's Disabled Community

Hartlepool Borough Council Hartlepool Life CIC Hartlepool Community Trust Hartlepool Opportunities Partnership - HOP Michael Booth Dawn Robinson Tracie Bestford Pool Together

22/06/2026

Hartlepool Heroes 2026 🌟💙

Saturday was special, celebrating the people who make Hartlepool such a special place.

While Tracie didn't take home the Community Impact Award this year, she'll always be a winner in our eyes. 💙
From leading CLIP, championing inclusion, supporting disabled people and carers, developing new community projects, and working tirelessly behind the scenes, she makes a positive difference every single day.
We're incredibly proud of you, Tracie. 💙

We want to say a huge congratulations also goes to Lisa Openshaw, who won the category that our CEO Tracie was nominated in. Lisa does incredible work at The Reflection Room Therapy supporting individuals and families across Hartlepool by providing free counselling services at Greenbank, and the award is thoroughly deserved. How fantastic is that!! 💕https://www.facebook.com/share/1D84eWwNCu/

We were proud to see our very own Sam presenting the Creativity in the Arts Award to the wonderful Silent Steppers - Wellness, Lifestyle and Learning Academy Adult Band. As an autistic person, Sam can sometimes find social situations challenging, so standing on stage in front of a room full of people and presenting an award was a huge achievement. Well done, Sam. 💙

A big congratulations to CLIP'S chair Michael Booth who won the Lifetime Achievement Award! Through his lived experience he has seen a need for change both mentally and emotionally and has taken up the challenge to use his lived experience and voice to try and make those changes – to make living with dementia better for the next person.
We are extremely proud of you, Michael, very well deserved!! 💙

It was also lovely to catch up with our friends from Hartlepool Carers we love you guys! 🤩

Congratulations to every nominee, finalist and winner. Hartlepool is full of heroes, and Saturday night was a wonderful reminder of the incredible people who make our community stronger every day. 💙✨

The PFC Trust
Hartlepool College of Further Education
Hartlepool Borough Council
Hartlepool Life CIC

22/06/2026

🎨✨ Free Diamond Art & Craft Sessions at our CLIP offices ✨🎨

BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL This helps us make sure we have enough space, craft materials, refreshments and support available for everyone attending 😊

Here is the link if you need any help with booking, let us know 😊 https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/108401 or you can scan the QR code in the image 💙

Are you disabled, neurodivergent, living with a long-term health condition?

Why not join us for our FREE Tuesday Diamond Art Sessions, based at The Arches? 💎

Come along for a cuppa, biscuits and some creativity in a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment.
All diamond art resources are provided, so you can simply turn up and get started.

Not able to do diamond art or already working on a project? That's absolutely fine!
Feel free to bring along your own craft, whether it's knitting, crochet, colouring, card making or anything else you enjoy.

💙 Free to attend
💎 Diamond art materials provided
☕ Tea, coffee and biscuits available
🎨 Bring your own craft project if you prefer
🤝 Meet new people and enjoy a friendly safe atmosphere

Our sessions are designed for people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, those living with long-term health conditions, and anyone who may benefit from a supportive and inclusive community space.
We'd love to welcome you along at The Arches! 😊

Team CLIP 💙