Firms on board for helping community

The event, created by Sonya Bithell from Business in the Community and Wigan Council, took companies to visit the Community Warehouse, Wigan Steam, Sunshine House and The Real Junk Food Project.

Around 20 firms learned about everything from services provided to get homeless Wiganers off the streets and learning skills to preventing usable food ending up in landfill to using the arts to increase interest in science, technology and engineering.

The group filled two minibuses, one driven by a member of an organisation helping veterans and the other supplied at short notice by Wigan Youth Zone, and the day began at the town hall to learn how the local authority is backing community groups.

Kerry McKenna, business centre manager from Office Bay, said: “We found the bus tour very beneficial to us. As a new local business, it was remarkable to see the type of community that we are a part of. We were able to make new connections, meet council members and see how inspiring and hard working the people of Wigan really are.”

Coun Chris Ready, Wigan Council portfolio holder for communities, said: “It was brilliant to showcase our volunteers and to highlight the work they do to our businesses. It is great to forge relationships between these two strong sectors and see how they can work together in the future.

“It’s a vital part of our strategy to grow a strong economy that we have businesses that thrive and support our volunteers to make Wigan borough a better place.”