Chowbent Primary School
Chowbent Primary school in Atherton had a wish to engage parents and carers in the school library, alongside their children.
To date, through support from the Community Investment Fund, they have provided more storage for books, increased the range of titles available to children (including pre-school) and developed a collection for adults to borrow. They also offer a book exchange scheme which is freely accessible in their reception area.
The school library is run by a group of retired volunteers from the local community and parent helpers. All pupils are enthusiastic members which has a positive impact on their attitudes to reading and ultimately their attainment. They have developed a successful pre-school reading group and offer parents and carers the opportunity to borrow books from the library.
Beehive Community Centre, Mosley Common
The Beehive centre is a successful example of a Community Asset Transfer which has worked in partnership with Wigan Council in transforming services. The main aim was to transform a much under-used, old-fashioned facility into a bright, vibrant centre providing affordable entertainment, classes and a meeting point for local residents.
This project built upon the digital facilities the community centre already had, such as Wi-Fi, laptops and iPad’s, to provide computer classes for the community. From discussions with visitors to the café, they had noted that while many were aware of social media and online services, they lacked the confidence to fully engage with them. It was felt that in addition to helping community members with digital inclusion, the project would lead to an increased footfall that would help with the sustainability of the community centre.
The investment was used to purchase lightweight tables that could be quickly and safely moved for use during the lessons. These replaced the old, heavy tables which were difficult for volunteers to move and would only seat 2 people with laptops comfortably. The new tables allow 6 people to work together and support each other during the computer lessons. The tables have also made the centre more attractive to people wishing to hire the hall for parties and conferences, which helps them to remain self-sufficient.
Furthermore, as the centre had received complaints about the location not being easy to spot from the road, the rest of the money was spent on a large sign to make it more visible to service users.
Leigh Community Garden Project
Leigh Community Garden Project received £480 from the fund and turned a deserted walkway between Taunton Avenue and Westleigh Lane into a beautiful garden.
The group spent the money to refresh the walkway, on compost, bedding plants, top soil and weedkiller. They have also stored 10 bags of compost for next spring and are saving some of the funding for spring bulbs in 2016. As well as creating a lovely place to live, the project has also brought the community closer.
Winston's Wish - Wigan Schools Project
This project involved mailing books that included information for adults supporting bereaved children as well as stories and activity books for bereaved children to schools in Wigan. A grant of £1,718.05 from Deal for Communities Investment Fund was used to pay for the printing, packing and posting of the books. Volunteers helped to complete the project and extra funding was added with income from the community fundraising in the region.
Believe Sport Talent Fund
Since the launch of the Believe Sport Talent Fund in 2015 we have now seen over 26 young people receive up to £500 each from the ‘Deal for Communities’ Investment Fund, helping them pay for travel, accommodation, competitions or training fees and equipment.
Emily Borthwick, 18 year-old Athlete, was one of the first recipients of the fund and has put it to good use. She’s progressed to representing team GB and English Athletics in both the High Jump and 400m. Emily commented:
“The grant has made a huge difference to my training as it has allowed me to travel to Italy for two weeks of training before the summer season began. From this solid foundation, my performances within competition have improved leading to my first senior championship medal...”
Other recipients include national athlete Reece Pollitt, 17, an English and Team GB Cycle Speedway rider, who has had huge success on the track this year, participating in a number of national and international competitions since receiving his funding.
Jennie Myler, age 16, has signed a contract at Everton Ladies Football Club since receiving her funding. It’s helped her purchase equipment to help develop her fitness, technique and skills.
Nicole Haines has focussed her funding on her coaches at ‘Why Aint you Jibbin’ and on a 3 week stint of training in the Austrian Alps this winter season, helping her secure a 2nd place finish in the under 16 age category for the Junior Jam.
Wildlife Garden at the Three Sisters, Ashton
The Friends of Three Sisters received £3000 from The Deal for Communities Investment Fund to create a wildlife garden from a plot of land untouched for the last twelve years.
This funding and many hours of hard work have helped turn this area into a place for quiet contemplation, with a pond, Bug Hotel, compost heaps and bird feeders. A variety of birds visit the feeders and those wildest creatures of all, children, like to jump along the stepping stone path.
The Wildlife Garden is also part of Wigan Council’s volunteer scheme, with staff donating their time to dig, weed and plant bulbs.
TMKA Wigan Kickboxing
TMKA Wigan Kickboxing received £2,000 in funding and used it to buy new equipment. They open 7 days a week and have twice taken their team to compete in Germany to end up winning the tournament.
Daisy Chain Stitchers
Over £500 was awarded to the Daisy Chain Stitchers, helping them work with Wigan in Bloom in their 2016 bid to make Wigan beautiful through flowers and planting.