Top honours for Wigan leisure scheme for all the family

The charitable trust which operates leisure and health programmes for Wigan Council has won national honours for its work with young people and families at Howe Bridge Leisure Centre.

Inspiring healthy lifestyles landed the Demonstrating Social Impact prize at the prestigious Community Leisure UK Awards for an engagement programme which delivers affordable access to play and adventure facilities to young people and families in Wigan and Leigh.

It has grown year on year and now offers several sessions a week for children and families with a variety of needs.

The programme uses the Adventure Zone and hosts skate, climbing and play area sessions at a low cost three nights a week. Included in this is GoGa Rush, (Go Out Get Active) on Fridays which is aimed at providing inclusive sessions for disabled and non-disabled people of all ages to get active together.

A Tuesday GoGa Rush session, which is designed for young people with autism or sensory processing difficulties, provides a safe space for families to enjoy activities they may not otherwise have access to.

IHL manageing director Pete Burt said: “This award really means a great deal to us. It is recognition of the hard work our staff put into projects and testament to the value they have to the communities they support.

“The Howe Bridge Community Engagement Programme, which has been greatly supported by Wigan Council, has been key in us developing our wider community offering and has seen massive benefits to those that attend”

“News of winning this award has come at a difficult time for our industry as we and many other charitable trusts across the country await a reopening date and news on vital government funding to support and build on the great work we do and the wonderful communities we serve.”

Coun Jim Moodie, lead member for leisure at Wigan Council said: “It is wonderful to see projects developed in the borough receiving national recognition and leading the way in supporting communities.”

Over the past year attendees of the Thursday session have held several Skate Lock Ins which have included participants taking part in all night skate-a-thons to raise money for local charities.

The programme, which is held at Howe Bridge Leisure centre, has been put on hold during the Covid-19 response but looks forward to reopening when government guidance allows.