BoroughLife Podcast

PLEASE NOTE: This episode contains conversations around mental health and suicide, which may be distressing for some listeners. For help and support, visit wigan.gov.uk/MentalHealth

It’s Month of Hope, and Hayley and Lucy are chatting to Tracy from Be Well and Hazel from Public Health to find out more about what’s happening across the borough.

They hear about the 2000 Flowers of Hope that have been hand crocheted by community organisations, the Hub of Hope, a free mental health support directory by Chasing the Stigma, and how Be Well’s walking programme is changing lives and boosting mental health for Wigan Borough residents.

Useful links:
Access the Hub of Hope here: Mental Health Support Network provided by Chasing the Stigma | Hub of hope

The Box of Hope will be heading out to community venues across the month, you can find it at:
HF Works week commencing 28 September
All Ears MHA week commencing 5 October
Craft Hive CIC week commencing 12 October
Tudor House Hindley week commencing 19 October

Find out more about Be Well’s free walks across the borough here: Walking | Be Well

Join Be Well’s Community Rail Trail walk on Saturday 10 October! Book your free spot here (you’ll just need to create a free account): Activity Slot Details - Book | GladstoneGo
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It’s festival season! To celebrate, Hayley and Lucy catch up with their office neighbours, Sam and Zoe, from the Council’s Digital Wigan team. They chat about Digital Wigan’s exciting work across the borough, before Sam and Zoe tell Hayley and Lucy all about their upcoming Digi Fest events. Move over Glastonbury!
In the second half of the episode, Hayley and Lucy give James a special gift for their ‘halfiversary’, thanks to friend of the pod, The Chubby Northerner.

Useful links:
Find out more about Digital Wigan and watch Christine and Irena’s story here: Digital Wigan
Follow Digital Wigan on Facebook: Digital Wigan, Instagram: @digitalwigan and LinkedIn: Digital Wigan
You can find us on TikTok on @boroughlife
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We're back with our July episode (recorded back in May before the team was plunged into the midst of a high-profile by-election!)

Join James, Lucy and Hayley for a special outdoor bumper edition as they visit Haigh to hear the latest updates from the team behind the estate's transformation programme. Discover how work is progressing in the Walled Gardens and Bothy Yard.

In the second half of the episode, the team heads down the road to meet FAWNS (Forum for Aspull, Whelley and New Springs).

Once an abandoned allotment, the site has been transformed into a thriving haven for wildlife, nature and local people.
Hayley and Lucy speak to volunteer Neil about the group's inspiring journey and the impact it is having on the local environment and surrounding community.

For more info on Haigh, visit: Haigh Woodland Park
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The 2026 local elections are just around the corner so we caught up with Oliver and Katie from the elections team.

We talk through what you need to know in the build-up and what it's like for the team throughout their big day on Thursday, May 7.

Along with the serious stuff, we also talk coffee strategy and snack availability for the overnight count.

Remember, the voter registration and postal voting deadlines are on the horizon so please check out www.wigan.gov.uk/elections for all the important information.

You'll also find all the details there for Voter ID and where to find your polling station.

Check out Wigan Council's social media channels on election night for all the results.

See you next month!
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Hayley and Lucy head to Pennington Flash to talk to Dionne, from Complete Kindness CIC, and Imelda, from Mindful by Nature CIC, to hear all about the sessions they are delivering as part of The Field at Pennington Flash, as well as some tips and tricks on how we can all be more mindful, and the benefits of getting out in nature!

In the second half of the episode, Hayley brings along the Galleries time capsule, recovered from the Fettlers site during demolition, for a deep‑dive with Lucy and James. Expect throwbacks, surprises, and all the nostalgic 1986 vibes! If you helped with the time capsule, or would like to be involved in the 2026 version in Fettlers, please get in touch!


Useful links:

Find out more about The Field, e-mail info@the-field.org.uk
You can find us on TikTok on @boroughlife
Have a story about The Galleries time capsule? Email: fettlers@wigan.gov.uk
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