Ey Up (How are you?)

Ey Up – It’s Wigan West Community News has almost reached every letterbox in the ward of Wigan West. 

Once we know it’s landed on everyone’s door mat we’ll post a copy online.

We weren’t sure how we’d deliver it and talked about a number of options. We’d set aside a bit of a budget to help get it out, but nothing that the delivery contractors would be interested in. We’d purchased the electoral roll from the Council to help with planning rounds and in our minds eye we had an idea of 7 rounds of approx 1000 homes. 

As we were grappling with the how we heard that a local gym that many young people dance at was at risk of closure. They were campaigning and fundraising to save it and reached out via the online community for ideas and support. It felt like an obvious solution – why not deliver the newsletter in return for an agreed donation? They jumped at the invitation. 

I imagine that’s how we’ll deliver the next edition too, as Awards for All have contributed to the cost of the next one. Given the great reception the first one is receiving we know that neighbours will love an Autumn edition and we hope more neighbours will come forward to share stories about what’s happening on their streets. 

We might link it to our participatory budgeting events and offer local groups the chance to pitch for a donation or an activity or piece of equipment. 

We love how solutions just emerge from within community life.

Once you start to connect the dots – the path reveals itself!💕🥰💕