Grant award will open community library up to more families

Grant award will open community library up to more families

A community library run entirely by volunteers is entering its next chapter thanks to a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund.

Yellow Door Library, based in Clifton Street Community Centre, Poolstock, has welcomed visitors for four days each week since it opened in December 2022.

Now, with support from Wigan Council officers, the library has received a grant from the National Lottery which will allow them to continue running and install a pram store.

The team responsible for running the library hope the store will encourage more parents and carers with young children to benefit from the space.

The idea for Yellow Door Library came from Kathryn Catterall, following the success of her free Ashdale Little Library– a book-sharing box where anyone can take or share a story - which she ran from her front garden.

Kathryn, who lives in Hawkley Hall, said: “We have fantastic support from our volunteers and are thrilled to have been awarded the funding.

“This will make a real difference to our library and we are looking forward to welcoming more visitors over the next year.”

Funded in part by Brighter Borough funding and supported by local businesses and schools, a group of volunteers came together last year to refurbish the space, paint and build shelves ready for its opening.

Councillor Chris Ready, cabinet member for communities at Wigan Council, added: “I’m really pleased that Yellow Door Library has been successful in receiving this boost from the National Lottery Community Fund.

“I’m really proud that our teams at Wigan Council were able to support them in putting in their application and we are committed to helping our voluntary, faith, community and social enterprise sector to continue to thrive.”

Wigan Council’s Deal for Communities team hosts Funding Friday sessions at locations around the borough each week to offer expert advice and support for community organisations.

For details and to stay up to date with the team, visit Deal for Communities webpage or follow the Deal for Communities team on Facebook.