Community Engagement
Grassroots Action, Real Change
WLCC puts communities in the driving seat. From neighbourhood planning to enterprise development, we listen, connect and empower local people to shape the places they call home.
OUR APPROACH
How We Work With Communities
Our community engagement model is built on three principles that guide everything we do.
Listen
We start by listening — holding community conversations, running consultations and making space for every voice. Understanding what matters to local people shapes everything we do.
Connect
We bring people, organisations and institutions together — building the relationships and coalitions that turn individual effort into collective power. Communities are stronger when they act as one.
Empower
We give communities the tools, knowledge and confidence to lead. Whether it's a neighbourhood plan, a social enterprise or a community campaign — we back local people to make it happen.
History
The work of Wigan and Leigh Community Charity (formerly Abram Ward Community Cooperative) is built on many years of community projects in Platt Bridge, built by the local community.
These include:
- Platt Bridge Partnership (1990s)
- Platt Bridge Gala Day Committee (2000s)
- Platt Bridge Community Forum / Group (2005 to present)
- Abram Ward Community First Panel (2010 to 2013)
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING
Putting Communities in Charge of Their Future
What Is Neighbourhood Planning?
Neighbourhood Planning is a legal right that gives communities the power to shape development in their local area. A Neighbourhood Plan, once approved by referendum, becomes part of the local planning framework — giving it genuine legal weight.
WLCC's Role
We support communities through every stage of the neighbourhood planning process — from initial consultations and evidence gathering, to writing the plan, preparing for examination and running the referendum. Our work in Abram Ward produced the first approved Neighbourhood Plan in the borough.
Abram Ward Neighbourhood Plan
The Abram Ward Neighbourhood Plan sets a 15-year vision for how Platt Bridge, Abram and surrounding areas should develop — covering housing, green space, local economy and design standards.
POWER TO CHANGE
Empowering Places
In August 2017, Wigan & Leigh Community Charity — then known as Abram Ward Community Co-operative — was chosen by Power to Change as one of six Community Anchor organisations nationally to take part in the Empowering Places programme, an initiative to help reduce inequalities through the growth of community businesses.
A Network of Community-Led Assets
WLCC has developed a network of community-led assets that have been seed funded via Participatory Budgeting and sponsorships through our charity, including:
- Bickershaw Village Club
- Wigan Cosmos
- Abram Community Centre
- Platt Bridge Community Green
- MissPlaces
- Pianos, Pies and Pirouettes
Plus projects that have sadly since closed, including:
- The 617 Youth Project
- Wigan Mens Sheds
- TasteBuds Cafe
- Bicky Lads n Lasses
- Bettys Cafe
WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW
Our Work Strands
An overview of what WLCC is working on right now across Wigan and Leigh.
Abram Ward Neighbourhood Plan
CurrentA community-led planning document giving Abram Ward residents a formal say in how their area develops. Approved by referendum in 2025, the plan sets a 15-year vision for housing, green space and local infrastructure.
Humanity Project Public Assemblies — Platt Bridge Town Centre
CurrentA long-term regeneration and community development initiative focused on improving economic and social outcomes for Platt Bridge residents — connecting local people to employment, training and enterprise opportunities.
For more info click here →High Street Collective
CurrentWe are part of a national movement to change the way our High Streets are community led.
Civic High Street Collective →We're Right Here Now
CurrentBacking the national campaign for a Community Power Act — putting neighbourhood governance and real decision-making power into the hands of local people.
Neighbourhood governance — find out more →Locality — Community Powered Neighbourhoods
CurrentWorking with Locality, the national network for community organisations, on community powered neighbourhoods — strengthening the local organisations that own and run assets for community benefit.
Visit Locality →Community Organisers
CurrentCommunity organising training for local people — building the skills, relationships and confidence to lead change in their own neighbourhoods.
Community organising training →University Partnerships
CurrentWorking with university students and academics to bring fresh thinking, research and design skills to community challenges across the borough.
- Edge Hill University — we worked with their Business School students to help us with an AI adoption strategy for effective content creation.
- Manchester Metropolitan University — MSA Live: in 2026 we worked with students on the MSA Live programme, students undertaking an Architecture degree, to help reimagine how St Nathaniels Church in Platt Bridge could be used for wider youth provision.
- Manchester Metropolitan University — we worked with their Business students to explore digital tools to support community asset mapping and collaboration within Wigan & Leigh Community Charity.
WHAT WE'VE DONE
Archived Projects
Completed programmes that shaped WLCC and the communities we serve.
Empowering Places (Power to Change)
Secured two community buildings; established Platt Bridge Community Zone as a thriving community hub.
Platt Bridge
2021
Abram Ward Community Co-operative
Registered as a charity and CIC; built the organisational foundations still in place today.
Abram Ward
2013
COMMUNITY IN ACTION
Projects & Highlights
A snapshot of community engagement projects and initiatives WLCC has been part of across Wigan and Leigh.
COMMUNITY PROJECT
The Humanity Project
A community initiative highlighting the human stories and connections at the heart of Wigan and Leigh.
NEIGHBOURHOOD ENGAGEMENT
Platt Bridge Community Conversations
Listening to local voices to shape the future of Platt Bridge and the surrounding communities.
ADVOCACY
Wigan to Westminster
Taking community voices from Wigan to a national stage — making the case for community-led change.
RESEARCH & EDUCATION
MSA Live Project
Working with Manchester Metropolitan University to explore and develop community-based solutions across Wigan Borough.
SKILLS & TRAINING
Community Training & Workshops
Building skills and confidence in local people through hands-on learning and peer support at our community venues.
PUBLIC ASSEMBLY
Flyers & Feedback
Flyers from our Public Assemblies, alongside the maps and infographics summarising what local people told us. Select any item to view it full size.
Where it started: the key issues for Platt Bridge Town Centre, as identified by local community leaders in October 2025.
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Our first Public Assembly — a Community Conversation on the town centre at Platt Bridge Community Zone, November 2025.
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What you told us at the first Public Assembly: issues around retail, business and community, mapped across the town centre.
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What you told us at the first Public Assembly: issues around green space, active travel and design.
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And the positives — what residents value about the town centre today, and the potential they see in it.
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Our second Public Assembly at The Pantry, St Nathaniel’s Church, May 2026.
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What you told us at the second Public Assembly: the top themes on retail in the town centre.
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In your own words — what residents said about shops and jobs in the town centre.
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What you told us at the second Public Assembly: the top themes on walking, wheeling, travel and safety.
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In your own words — what residents said about getting around the town centre safely.
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Our third Public Assembly at Wigan Cosmos, St John’s Street Playing Fields, August 2026.
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Our Public Assembly in Platt Bridge Town Centre — hosted by community organisers in the ward, and open to everyone in Abram Ward.
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What you told us: the top themes residents scored for a culture-based youth hub in the town centre.
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In your own words — what residents said about a youth hub and young people’s activities in the town centre.
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PARTNERSHIPS
Wider Partnerships
WLCC works alongside regional and national partners to connect local communities to wider support and opportunity.
Pride in Place
WLCC participates in national Pride in Place networks, connecting with community anchor organisations across England to share learning, influence policy and build a stronger movement for community-led change. We bring the Wigan perspective to national conversations.
Pride in Place in Wigan Borough →ABRAM WARD NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN — SOCIAL ECONOMY VISION
“We aim for Abram Ward to be an ambitious, innovative and prosperous neighbourhood, where current and new residents can find fulfilling and varied employment opportunities. We are keen to attract new residents, businesses and visitors into the area. We actively support the development of new local and community businesses, along with the provision of appropriate premises and work-places in our neighbourhood. We aim to encourage local and regional tourism, and ‘green’ business opportunities which will make the most of our landscapes and green spaces.”
Abram Ward Neighbourhood Plan — approved by referendum, 2025
Get Involved in Your Community
Whether you want to start a social enterprise, shape your neighbourhood plan or simply connect with what's happening locally — we'd love to hear from you.