Latest news

Amazing news for Wigan Museum! 🎊

We start this week's packed edition with some brilliant news from Wigan Museum, who've just secured £249,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund! 

The team will be using the funding to create 'Our Northern Soul: A New Vision for Wigan Museum', which will transform the ground floor of the Library Street building.

Plans include a new activity zone, new interactive content, and display areas inspired by the personality traits of Wiganers – each featuring stories and objects linked to the town's rich heritage. Excitingly, residents will have the chance to help shape the finished results!

Listen up! Our new podcast is out now 🎙️

We've just dropped the latest episode of our BoroughLife Podcast... and this time Hayley and Lucy take a trip to Pennington Flash to chat with Dionne from Complete Kindness CIC and Imelda from Mindful By Nature.

They explore the brilliant sessions happening at the reserve, share practical tips on being more mindful, and talk about the benefits of getting out into nature. 🌿

Meanwhile, the team also delve into a fascinating time capsule recovered from the Galleries site during demolition. Expect throwbacks, surprises, and nostalgic vibes!

Win a £200 restaurant voucher! 😋

Don't forget the Spring issue of BoroughLife magazine is also out now, featuring cover star Tom Stocks (aka The Chubby Northerner) who was recently at Wigan's Makinson's Arcade for World Poetry Day to create on-the-spot personalised poems for passers-by (check out the video below). 🪶

Free copies of the mag are available from libraries, life centres, leisure centres and community venues, or you can read the digitial edition online. Either way, don't miss the chance to win a £200 voucher for Juniper Restaurant in Shevington!

Anti-knife crime scheme success 🤝

Anti-knife crime initiatives are going to be rolled out across Greater Manchester following some real success here in Wigan Borough.

More than 2,700 knives have been handed in at knife disposal bins since they were installed across the borough last year. Part of the Community Safety Partnership, the disposal bins - along with 'Stop the Bleed’ training sessions - have formed part of many initiatives to bring down local knife crime rates.

The partnership is also continuing its support of Let’s Be Blunt CIC - set up by Leanne Lucas, a survivor of the Southport attack - to encourage residents to make the switch to blunt-ended knives. Through this work, Greater Manchester Police has recorded a 15.2 per cent reduction in crimes involving weapons across the Wigan Borough.

In other news...

🚫 Wigan Council has successfully secured a closure order for land in Bickershaw, following the announcement of the government’s Waste Crime Action Plan last week which committed to clearing the waste site at Bolton House Road. This will prevent access to any unauthorised individuals at the waste site, as assessments and preparations to remove the waste get underway. Full details of the closure order can be find on the council website.

🚗 Funding has been secured for a new link road connecting the A49 in Wigan to the A58 in Hindley. The Department for Transport has committed £127.8m to the project with the GM Good Growth Fund contributing an additional £25.7. An east-west link road between Wigan and Bolton is something that's been discussed for decades, witn the aim of reducing congestion and unlocking future developments, so the funding of this phase of the project is a significant step forward.

🎾 Six new padel courts will be opening at Robin Park Leisure Centre later this year thanks to a link-up between Be Well and Soul Padel. The exciting partnership will also trigger investment in tennis – with four new courts at Wigan’s Mesnes Park and a new Head of Racquets leading promotion of the game in schools and the wider community. Read the full story here.

💪 The new-look gym at Wigan Life Centre opens on Monday (30 March) with a fresh new look and all the latest fitness equipment from Technogym. To celebrate, new members can currently get one month free when they join using the code BEWELLSPRING. Memberships include unlimited gym, group ex classes, swimming and sports sessions across all 7 Be Well leisure centres. Find out more on the Be Well website.

💼 Wigan Council has been awarded nearly £12m of government funding to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping across the borough over the next three years. Funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will be put towards initiatives to reduce homelessness and rough sleeping, support those affected by domestic abuse who are at risk of homelessness and manage the local impact of the Renters Right’s Act. Read more on the council website.

🏠 A new development supporting young people with learning disabilities and autism has welcomed its first residents in Ashton‑in‑Makerfield. Stubshaw Gardens, which includes 14 purpose‑built one‑bedroom apartments with 24‑hour on‑site support, is already transforming lives. You can find out more about the development here. 

🗑️ From 1 April you'll be able to recycle more items in your brown bin. It follows the appointment of H.W. Martin Waste Ltd as the borough's new operator to recycle our packaging. As well as glass, cans and plastic bottles, you can now throw in plastic bags and wrappings, cartons, toothpaste tubes and tomato puree tubes – although most of these products must be clean, dry, and free of food residue to be recycled, and put in the bin loose. Read more on the council website.

♻️ Wigan Borough’s three recycling centres are now operating on Summer opening hours (8am till 7.45pm). If you're considering a trip to the tip soon, the council and FCC Environment are advising people to plan ahead to help avoid queues during busy periods.

What's on

FREE Easter water sports! 🚣

Wigan water sports centre Scotman’s Flash is celebrating the arrival of its new changing rooms and showers with a free event over the Easter holidays.

They're giving away more than 100 FREE taster sessions for ages 11+ on Tuesday 7 April – with a choice of stand up paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, sailing and bell boating. You can book via the Be Well app or online booking site (select 'Be Well Outdoors' from the menu).

The open evening follows a £445,000 investment in the activity centre, which is part of the council’s Be Well Outdoors brand alongside Haigh High Ropes & Adventure and Low Bank Ground in the Lake District.

More what's on...

🛶 Book now for Scotman Flash’s half term Easter Activity Camps! These full-day adventures are perfect for kids ages 8-14 who love exploring, teamwork and trying new challenges. Activities include: •  Kayaking • Canoeing • Paddleboarding • Outdoor adventure challenges. Dates: 6–10 April & 13–17 April. Times: 9am-4.30pm. Price: £30 per day. Book via the Be Well app or the online booking site (select ‘Be Well Outdoors’ and ‘Scotman’s Flash Activity Camps’).

🏊 Inflatable Pool Sessions are back at Hindley Pool for half term! Jump, scramble, slide and race across the wobbliest inflatable obstacle course… if you dare! Perfect for energetic swimmers aged 8–14. Dates: Wed 8 & 15 April / Fri 10 & 17 April. Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm. Price: £5.30 per child. Note: Children must be able to swim. Book now via the Be Well app or online booking site to avoid disappointment!

🐣 Hit the Easter Trail at Pennington Flash for some cracking half term fun this April! Simply pick up a map from The Hide Coffee House and explore the surroundings to find a secret Easter message. Once you’ve cracked the code, return your completed map for an Easter treat! Running Thursday 2 April to Sunday 19 April. Maps available for just £2.

🚲 Want to teach your child to ride a bike this half term? Be Well’s brilliant Learn to Ride sessions are available to book now for just £1! Choose from different time slots at Leigh Sports Village (Sat 4 Apr), Leyland Park (Thu 9 Apr) or Firs Park (Thu 16 Apr). Places are extremely limited so book now via the Be Well app or online booking site to avoid disappointment!

🎈 Pedal Parties are a fun way to ride together as a family and grow your little one’s confidence on two wheels… and Be Well has added extra dates at Pennington Flash for the Easter holidays. Events are traffic-free and have fun activities for children to develop their skills on a bike. Book your free spot now for Saturday 4 April (10am-12noon), Wednesday 8 April (10am-12noon) or Wednesday 15 April (10am-12noon).

🎵 You can dance, you can jive... at an ABBA tribute night at Leigh Sports Village! Get ready to have the time of your life on Saturday 4 July at 7pm with tribute duo Chick‑A‑Cheeta, plus a live DJ spinning hits. Tickets are £29.95pp and include a Greek buffet and arrival drink. Email events@leighsportsvillage.co.uk or call 01942 487819 to book your place.

🎾 Anyone for tennis? It's the Bellingham Tennis Club Open Day this Saturday (28 March) from 12pm-3pm. Whether you're a complete beginner, a seasoned player or just curious to give tennis a try, you're welcome to head to Bellingham Lawn Tennis Club, Bellingham Drive, Wigan, WN1 2NF.

Our communities

Show pride in your place! 🌟

Do you have strong ties to Marsh Green & Laithwaite, or Platt Bridge & Spring View?   If so, you can help shape how major investment is used to support your community!

Pride in Place is a 10‑year programme bringing £20 million to improve local spaces, facilities, opportunities and neighbourhood pride. Each area will have its own neighbourhood board, led by an independent chairperson.

Recruitment is now open for the chairperson roles. So, if you care about the future of your community, this is your chance to get involved and make a real difference!

Say hello to Kenny G's! ☕

A new café and innovative pilot scheme helping people to gain supported work experience has officially opened!

Kenny G’s in the Family Hub at Mornington Road, Hindley offers residents the chance to get real-life work experience in a fully functioning café, helping them build confidence, independence and, ultimately, progress towards paid employment.

If you're after an inclusive community café where you can enjoy freshly prepared food and drink while supporting opportunities that make a real difference, this is it!

Robin Park Café’s new lease of Life 🍵

The new café at Robin Park Leisure Centre opened on Wednesday and it looking amazing!

You’ll find Café Life in the atrium as you enter, offering warm food and drinks. It’s a great spot to catch up with friends, take a timeout from shopping, or chill before or after a workout in the gym. Make sure to pop in soon!

Spotting the signs of meningitis 🧑‍⚕️

Meningitis has been in the news lately, so it's good to know what to look for. Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include:

👉 a high temperature (fever)

👉 being sick

👉 a headache

👉 a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it (but a rash will not always develop)

👉 a stiff neck

👉 a dislike of bright lights

👉 drowsiness or unresponsiveness

👉 seizures (fits)

Remember: If you think you or someone you look after could have meningitis or sepsis, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

More from our communities...

🎖️ A big well done to everybody associated with Armed Forces Community HQ CIC at Molyneux House who've been selected as one of the first regional hubs for the Office for Veterans' Affairs national programme: VALOUR. The initiative is designed to make it easier for veterans, serving personnel, and their families to access the care and support they deserve. You can read more about VALOUR on the gov.uk website.

🎬 Northern Heart Films are giving young creatives in Leigh the chance to gain hands‑on experience in film and production this spring. In association with Wigan Council, 10 spots have been made available for the experience in April and May, with all expenses covered. Those aged 16-30 and based in Leigh can apply and no experience is needed. Northern Heart are also offering two paid runner role positions on 30 May at Leigh Sports Village for those with basic filmmaking or technical knowledge.

🤸 HAF is back for Easter with a full range of fun activities for young people who qualify for benefit-related Free School Meals. There’s lots to choose from – from sports and outdoor adventure experiences to arts, crafts and computing. If you’re eligible, you should have received your e-voucher to choose and book your child’s place at holidayactivities.com. If you haven’t, please speak to your school before the holidays (it’s also worth checking your junk folder just in case). You can find out more about the Holiday Activities and Food programme here.

🚭 Want to stop smoking but life keeps getting in the way? Quit Coach is your digital stop‑smoking assistant, giving you quick, personalised advice whenever you need it via WhatsApp. No appointments. No waiting rooms. Just FREE, practical support, whenever you’re ready. So why not see how Quit Coach can fit around your life? Sign up and start your smoke-free journey now.

Here For You

Important update on support fund

The Household Support Fund ends on 31 March, and from 1 April the Government is providing new funding called the Crisis and Resilience Fund. It'll be administred by local authorities in England to support low‑income households who experience a financial shock, and to strengthen both individual and community financial resilience.

The eligibility criteria and the way the fund can be used will change. It's important to note that Crisis Payments are intended to meet occasional or short‑term needs. They cannot be used as a replacement for regular income or ongoing financial support.

Crisis Payments can be used for:

• Emergency support for food, fuel, water and essential household items
• Costs relating to clothing, including warm winter clothing and footwear
• Support following a disaster, such as serious flood, fire, explosion or leak
• Help with unexpected costs linked to an accident, health emergency or mental health crisis
• Essential items such as white goods, medical equipment or heating equipment
• Essential transport costs, where required to prevent or address crisis
• Assistance where residents have no means to meet basic living costs

Wigan Council's Here for You campaign is approaching £17 million of previously unclaimed financial support finding its way into the pockets of local residents.

Through the Crisis and Resilience Fund, residents will continue to be supported to build long‑term financial resilience via a pathway that includes income maximisation, debt advice and budgeting support.