6.4 C
Manchester
Friday, April 25, 2025
CommunityWigan and Leigh Community Charity celebrates 25 years of impact

Wigan and Leigh Community Charity celebrates 25 years of impact

Wigan and Leigh Community Charity (WLCC) is celebrating 25 years of contributing to the education, employment and enterprise provision in the area.
The journey began in 1999 when a small group secured a pot of lottery funding to transform a disused block of flats on Ribble Road into a vital community resource: the Platt Bridge Youth Zone.
The vision was to create a space that would serve as a youth zone but also house business start units, a nursery, a café, and a dedicated space for local residents.
By 2001, the project – Platt Bridge Community Zone – had gained enough momentum to come under the ownership of Wigan Council but in 2012, it announced plans to close the facility.
It was saved by a successful application to Wigan Council’s Community Investment Fund in 2013, whereby Abram Ward Community Cooperative was first established.
In 2017, the organisation relaunched Platt Bridge Community Zone as a community business hub.
In the same year, it introduced the “Made in Wigan” brand, a bold initiative aimed at reducing inequality through the growth of community businesses. But today, now known as Wigan and Leigh Community Charity, the team is committed to serving the area with ambitious plans on the horizon..
Founder, David Baxter (pictured front), said: “Looking ahead, we don’t want to lose the grassroots of where we started, such as developing a neighbourhood plan in Abram Ward which is due to go to referendum.
“We want to continue to grow the local Social Enterprise Network and ultimately start to see more places and hubs pop up in other neighbourhoods that might not be as fully engaged yet in this sector, so we’d like to support those.
“We want to do more community organising, get more people into work, increase our school offer working with young people. We led Wigan borough into being registered as a Social Enterprise Town, but there’s still a lot of work to do in the sector.
“Wigan borough just has that entrepreneurial spirit! There’s something special about us, we have passion for our neighbourhoods. We saw that really come out during the pandemic and it continues to grow every year.”
Eunice Smethurst, councillor of Abram Ward, said: “I have been part of the Platt Bridge community building since its conception. Over the years I have seen the building change, many groups, offering different opportunities to the community have been part of the building. I am so proud of being part of the Platt Bridge Community Zone.”
Helen Greaney
Helen Greaney
I'm a journalist with more than 18 years' experience on local, regional and national newspapers, as well as PR and digital marketing. Crime and the courts is my specialist area but I'm also keen to hear your stories concerning Manchester and the greater North West region.
Latest

Switch Roles Unveiled: The Job Board Changing How Retail Recruits

Retail and hospitality recruitment is being reimagined with the arrival of Switch Roles, a next-generation platform built by those who know the industry inside...

Free Middlewood Locks Fest returns for a second year

The second annual canal-side festival at the award-winning Middlewood Locks neighbourhood in Salford is returning next month with fun-packed programme for all the family. From...

Cellcycle and Kerry Logistics Partner to Strengthen Sustainable Battery Supply Chain in the UK

UK-based battery recycling expert Cellcycle, part of the SER Group, has signed a Mutual Cooperation Agreement with Kerry Logistics (UK), a member of the...

FREESMO Rallies to Support Ex-Smokers Ahead of the Disposable Vape Ban with Golden Ticket Campaign

As the UK prepares for the nationwide ban on disposable vapes coming into force on 1st June 2025, FREESMO is stepping up to support...
Subscribe to our newsletter
Business Manchester will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.
Don't miss

Free Middlewood Locks Fest returns for a second year

The second annual canal-side festival at the award-winning Middlewood Locks neighbourhood in Salford is returning next month with fun-packed programme for all the family. From...

Street Eat festival returns to Rochdale in June

Street Eat - the food and drink festival that attracts thousands of visitors every year - is returning to Rochdale Town Hall Square for...

Cellcycle and Kerry Logistics Partner to Strengthen Sustainable Battery Supply Chain in the UK

UK-based battery recycling expert Cellcycle, part of the SER Group, has signed a Mutual Cooperation Agreement with Kerry Logistics (UK), a member of the...

FREESMO Rallies to Support Ex-Smokers Ahead of the Disposable Vape Ban with Golden Ticket Campaign

As the UK prepares for the nationwide ban on disposable vapes coming into force on 1st June 2025, FREESMO is stepping up to support...

More News

Multi-million pound cash injection for vacant brownfield site in Rochdale

Long-awaited redevelopment of a vacant brownfield site in Rochdale has moved a step closer, following a £15 million grant from the government’s community regeneration...

Preservation plans revealed for Ramsbottom’s Peel Tower thanks to grant

A £57,000 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant will enable a condition survey to be carried out at Ramsbottom's Peel Tower, with a view to...

Greater Manchester residents rallied for a ‘repair revolution’

Community groups and retailers across Greater Manchester have signed up to take part in this year’s Repair Week 2025 to rally residents around a...