From Abram to Aspull and from Orrell to Scholes, community groups in Wigan have been providing help and support to those impacted by Covid-19.

Through our Community Support Fund, Forever Manchester has supported many groups across Wigan who, through the passion and determination of volunteers, have delivered an unprecedented level of support for their communities.

Volunteers from the Abram Ward Community Cooperative and Bickershaw Village Residents provided food care packages to support vulnerable older people, while Higher Folds Community Centre opened up their nursery to support vulnerable children alongside maintaining provision of their food poverty project.

Atherton & Leigh Foodbank provided support via its four, church based, distribution centres, Fur Clemt volunteers produced cooked meals for the Wigan food distribution network and The Storehouse Project delivered food parcels into local communities across the borough.

The Hindley and Hindley Green Community Action Group set up a Helpers Project involving a coordinated team of volunteers to provide assistance with errands and shopping. The Bowen Rocks community group commenced work on a piece of land to provide outdoor activity to support those struggling with mental health issues as well as providing engagement opportunities for a number of young people.

In Aspull, the One House Community Centre recruited additional volunteers to combat a surge in demand for help and support. The Homeless Support Project in Leigh provided food, advice and support for homeless people and those experiencing extreme poverty, and Everything Human Rights set up online Coffee Mornings to support people from migrant ethnic minorities alongside establishing a video homework club.

Leigh Film Society (pictured above) set up a free DVD delivery service and included popcorn and treats and Umbrella Arts provided packs containing a variety of age appropriate arts materials.

Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre sent out kitbags containing crosswords, pens, tea bags and sweets to help fill time, relieve boredom and stimulate positive mental activity. Wigan & Leigh Young Carers produced 300 packs containing journals, pens, stress balls and sweets and Crossroads Carers provided regular puzzle time magazines to support socially isolated carers.

During these uncertain times, the ability of local community groups and organisations to best help those most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic remains dependant on maintaining support for them.

Forever Manchester has delivered over £2.5 million in funding to support hundreds of community groups and organisations in Greater Manchester that have responded to the impact of Covid-19.

For more information about The Community Support Fund and how you can make a donation to help us continue to support community activity right across Greater Manchester, click the buttons below.

Make a donation Community Support Fund View the list of all groups funded to date

Date added: 23rd November 2020