Latest news

Listen to our latest podcast! 🎧

The brand-new episode of our fabulous BoroughLife Podcast is out now!

Join hosts Hayley and Lucy for sneak-peek audio tour of the new exhibition at Wigan Museum, which explores the borough’s past, what it looks like today, and what the future could hold.

Plus James gives you the lowdown on the new edition of the BoroughLife magazine - now available to pick up for free from libraries, community buildings and leisure centres across the borough. You can also read it online here.

It's perfect weekend listening... so make sure to check it out!

Spring arrives at Norley Hall! 🤩🛝

We were at the amazing Norley Hall Adventure Playground on Monday for the launch of the first ever 'Live Well Spring Festival' across Greater Manchester.

The celebration was the first of 270 community-led events scheduled across the region over the next couple of weeks, with the Norley Hall play area chosen as the perfect venue to kick things off because of its deep connection to residents in the area.

Following its closure in 2020, the playground was brought back to life thanks to a £450,000 investment from Wigan Council - with the local community having a big say on what they wanted.

Local children were at the launch to explain what the playground means to them, while GM Mayor Andy Burnham and council representatives emphasised how community assets are vital to helping people of all ages live well.

Local women give to gain for IWD 💜

There has been lots going on across the borough to mark International Women’s Day and Women's History Month over this past week, with community-led events in Wigan and Leigh.

Young women from some of Wigan Council’s youth groups and work placement students called into Wigan Town Hall to meet with the council’s chief executive Alison McKenzie-Folan, director of children’s services Colette Dutton and lead member for equalities and youth -opportunities Councillor Laura Flynn, who shared their career journeys and passed on advice as part of this year's IWD theme #GiveToGain. 

Follow the council’s Facebook or Instagram pages to find coverage of local celebrations and stories and messages from just some of the borough’s inspirational female leaders throughout March.

In other news...

🚴 Dates have been announced for this year’s Cycle Three Sisters events. Be Well’s free family fun day will return to Ashton-in-Makerfield’s Three Sisters Circuit on Wednesday 6 May and Tuesday 4 August 2026. As always there’ll be bikes available to borrow and ride around the course, plus balance bikes and cycle skills for children, adapted cycles for people with a range of disabilities, and other attractions such as a climbing wall, archery, giant bubbles and stalls. Find out more about this year’s events on the Be Well website.

💚 Even more Wigan Borough residents will be able to get active at Be Well Wigan leisure centres following the launch of a new concession scheme. ‘Be Well For Less’ offers a third off the price of fitness memberships, children’s swimming lessons and other leisure activities for those eligible for Pension Credit, Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Universal Credit and other benefits. Discounts will also be available at Be Well Outdoors activity centres Scotman's Flash and Haigh High Ropes & Adventure. Read more on the council website.

♻️ A brand new Recycling A–Z Guide has been launched that's designed to help Wigan Borough residents find the correct waste and recycling information quickly and easily. The easy-to-use website has all the info you need on which bin to use for what, and lets you know if products need depositing at recycling centres or elsewhere. Check it out to find out where various products should be binned or recycled.

What's on

A cracking idea for Easter... 🐣

Looking for a fun-filled activity to keep the whole family 'hoppy' this Easter? 🐰 Join Be Well for their FREE Easter Trail event at Pennington Flash on Wednesday 1 April!

You can come along any time between 4pm-6pm, explore the scenic route and keep your eyes peeled for a secret Easter message hidden amongst the trees! Once you've found it, take your completed map back for an Easter treat.

Places are limited, so you better hop to it and book your free spot via the ticket link below! (Can't make it? Don't worry! Maps will be available to pick up from the The Hide Coffee House for just £2 from Thursday 2 April - Sunday 19 April).

More of what's on...

☘️ St Patrick’s Day celebrations are back at the Brian Boru Club - EST 1889. One of the UK’s oldest Irish clubs and a fantastic community hub in the heart of Ashton, it's running a packed programme of events until Tuesday 17 March including a St Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday (15 March). Join the community, enjoy the craic, and celebrate Irish heritage all week long! Follow their Facebook page or email secretary@brianboruclub.com to find out more.

🌍 You’re Invited to the Progress with Unity Community Belonging Event! Come along and be part of a friendly, relaxed event all about bringing people together, celebrating what makes us unique, and helping everyone feel like they truly belong in Wigan Borough. It's taking place at The Brick Community Stadium on 26 March 2026 at 1pm. Please register to the event by emailing participate@wigan.gov.uk.

⚽ Wigan Athletic Community Trust have an afternoon of free family activities and games at Robin Park Leisure Centre tomorrow (Saturday 14 March, 12pm-2.30pm. There's prizes to be won... and you can meet everyone's favourite pastry-based mascot - Crusty the Pie! Find out more on the Latics Community website.

🧔‍♂️ There’s a men’s health and wellbeing event at St Peter’s Pavilion in Hindley this Tuesday (3pm-7pm), with free NHS health checks and lots of advice and information from a full range of stalls including Andy’s Man Club, Diabetes UK, First Contact Physio and advice on prostate cancer, lung cancer and bowel cancer screening. Hot pasties and peas will be served from 5.30pm.

🏃🏃‍♀️ I'm sure you will join us in wishing good luck to all of our runners taking part in the Wigan Run Festival on Sunday 15 March, with a half marathon, 5k, and family mile taking place.

Our communities

Believing in their future! 🎓

A wide mix of universities, employers and industry experts helped to deliver vital careers advice to hundreds of young people in Wigan Borough this week.

The third Believe in Your Future event was held at The Edge, Wigan on Tuesday to offer students invaluable insights into higher education options and promote the diverse opportunities available after college. 

The mix of stallholders were kept extremely busy as more than 1,000 students calling in throughout the day from Wigan and Leigh College, Winstanley College, St. John Rigby, and The Deanery and St Mary’s Sixth Form.

Litter-pickers of the world unite! 🚮

It’s time to roll up those sleeves and dust off those litter pickers for the Great British Spring Clean 2026!

Running from Friday 13 March to Sunday 29 March, the annual national campaign to clean up our communities goes hand-in-hand with our own ‘Keep it Clean’ efforts here in Wigan Borough and the tireless work that hundreds of volunteers carry out all year round to show their love and pride for where they live.

There was a council-organised community litter pick at Kitt Green Road to kick things off on Friday, and there'll be another at Howe Bridge Leisure Centre from 10am to 12noon on Friday 27 March.

Litter-picking equipment will be available, and can be provided for any litter-picks that residents or groups wish to organise in their communities.

Supporting smokers to quit for good 🫶

It was national No Smoking Day on Wednesday and the Be Well Stop Smoking Service team was out and about across the borough, letting people know all about the support that’s available to help them quit smoking for good.

The service provides free access to nicotine replacement therapy (such as patches, gums and inhalators) plus ongoing advice and guidance to support residents on their smoke-free journey.

There’s also a new ‘Quit Coach’ virtual assistant that can send tips and encouragement direct to your phone via WhatsApp.

🚬 Are you a smoker? You could get a £50 shopping voucher for sharing your honest views and experiences at one of Heathier Wigan’s upcoming focus groups. Your insights will play a vital role in improving local support and services. All you have to do is answer a few simple questions and, if selected to take part in one of our online focus groups, you can claim a voucher as a thank you! (T&Cs apply). Follow this link to complete the survey.

More from communities...

💜 As part of the International Women’s Day activities in March, women from Soroptimist International Leigh and District are supporting a new campaign to encourage all women in the borough to share their experiences of women’s gynaecological health services. You can fill in this short survey or join women from the Soroptimists for tea and cakes to take the survey in person and share your experiences at Tea Junction Café, Railway Road, Leigh, WN7 4AD, on Thursday 19 March (1.30pm-2.30pm) or Tuesday 24 March (10am-11am).

🌈 If you’re a talented local performer from the North West’s LGBTQ+ community, you’re now invited to apply to perform on the main Unity Stage at Wigan Pride on Saturday 8 August! To apply please send your stage name, any relevant social media links, and a YouTube link or any video footage from your recent live performances to info@wiganpride.com with the email subject 'Entertainment Wigan Pride 2026'. 

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Wigan Council is looking to create better day services and opportunities that help you live a good life... and they want to hear from you! There are tailored surveys for young people, adults and older people with long-term conditions or disabilities, and their families, parents and carers. Find out more and complete the survey to enter a prize draw here or email MyDayMyWay@wigan.gov.uk.

🌐 The council has launched a new virtual assistant to help residents find information and advice around adult social care. Available 24/7 and designed to make reliable information instantly available, the online tool will help people feel informed, supported, and empowered to understand what support is available. Find out more on the council website.

🏠 Renting is changing... and if you're a landlord, you'll need to understand how, as the changes will affect how you manage your tenancies. Find out more on the government website.

🗳️ Do you know of anyone who could represent our borough as a local councillor? Nomination packs are now available to collect from Wigan Town Hall. Find out what councillors do, how to stand, and the support available to you here. Whether it’s your first time or you’re standing again, we’re here to help.

🚫Scam warning - If you're a council tenant please remain vigilant when answering your door to anyone who claims to be a council staff member or contractor. Council staff and approved contractors will never ask you to pay for repairs, checks or improvement works at your door. Ask to see the official council or contractor ID badge, take your time and don’t feel pressured. If you’re not sure the visit is genuine, you can verify it quickly on Wigan Council General Verification 01942 827474. For more information on scams, visit the Greater Manchester Police website. 

Here For You

Support for when times are hard 💛

We know recent news may be causing some concern about energy bills and the cost of living, but please don't forget you're not alone.

Support is available from Here for You, whether it's help to access benefits, how to save energy, or advice to protect your mental health if money worries are getting you down.

The Here for You campaign has already resulted in £16million of previously, unclaimed financial support, finding its way into the pockets of local residents, so it's definitely worth checking if you're eligible for support too