Since November 2023, our main home has been CommUnity Corner
Thanks to trusted funding from Greater Manchester System Changers, who believed in our need to have a permanent space in the community where people could connect. We have been able to pay rent and associated costs to keep this going thanks to additional support from Wigan Council’s Adult Social Care, Necessity and support from local Councillors Sheila RaMsdale and Dave Woods.
Life at CommUnity Corner
We have been intentional in our approach to this space, welcoming people to use it how they see fit and encouraging participation and the hosting of spaces within it. This approach has enabled the vast majority of spaces to grow with a very light touch from ourselves. People have taken ownership, and its growth has been incredible to see.
Whilst we have continued to ensure Addiction and English classes were maintained, the rest has pretty much grown itself via invitation. We are proud to be the home of Wigan Cult Film Club, Art with Julie, mainly men, a bereavement group, wellbeing for older people and many more self-organised groups.
Alongside these, we are a Camerados Public Living Room – a space to just be, chat to people and find connection. Offering an open door, warm smile and free brew and biscuits to anyone who walks through the door. We’ve been treated to amazing art exhibitions, poetry recitals, as well as hosting festive markets, an incredible food festival and events for everyone to enjoy.
It’s important to us that we don’t become insular and our work continues throughout the community using other well-loved spaces such as the wellbeing group, Afternoon teas and family craft at St Anne’s Community Centre, Play and craft events at St Andrew’s Church Hall, SEN play days at the local scout hut and alongside the SBHG organising group with parties in the park and the yearly dog show. The Playbox at Beech Hill Park now has its own organising group. And Give it a Grow Wigan, which is growing from strength to strength, becoming The Community Patch CIC, and we are proud to be allies with the newest local CIC to be born, Juggernauts.
Unfortunately, we are now outgrowing CommUnity Corner, and 2026 sees the launch of the dream into community ownership. To move into the next phase of community wealth building and take assets for the long-term, sustainable future of the community.