Join our digital conversation on Empowering Communities

Join our digital conversation on Empowering Communities

Many of our communities became stronger and closer during the pandemic. But how do we support and keep listening to communities as we recover? - By Cllr Chris Ready, Wigan Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing.

The response of our communities throughout the pandemic has been inspirational.

Many of our voluntary and community organisations responded quickly to support our most vulnerable residents and new groups emerged supporting their local communities.

Residents supported their neighbours, streets and local areas in a range of wonderful ways, with food and shopping for others, moral support and lots more acts of kindness.

I am passionate about helping to support communities to thrive, grow and support each other.

We already have a strong ethos of promoting our communities in the borough.

We are so lucky to have amazing voluntary, community and social enterprises and local people that are passionate about the place where they live and want to see our communities continue to thrive and grow. But how can we all play our part in achieving this?

At Wigan Council we launched our Community Recovery Fund earlier this year providing financial support for our communities, offering amounts of up to £500.  Phase one of the Fund is now closed and I am really pleased that we have been able to support 121 projects with a total funding amount of £57,305.68.  A list of the successful groups can be found here.

Phase two of our funding will launch on 5th July.  If you would like more information, please contact thedealforcommunities@wigan.gov.uk. There will be two further rounds of funding in October and January.

It is vital that the momentum of community action and mutual aid in our neighbourhoods continues to grow as we move into a recovery phase and I hope our Community Recovery fund will be welcome by organisations across the borough.

It is also important that we continue to talk to one another and understand our shared opportunities as well as challenges.

That is why we are running a Big Listening Festival throughout the summer to understand people’s hopes and ambitions as we recover from the pandemic.

I’m keen to hear from individuals and community groups about what we can do to continue to support you and help you to thrive.

By taking part in our Big Listening Festival, it will help the council, partners and local communities to continue to work in partnership and make a positive difference in the borough.

Join our digital conversation on Empowering Communities on Thursday 1st July 6.30pm – 8pm by registering online or contact us via email biglisteningfestival@wigan.gov.uk.