Age
Age - 'the length of time that a person has lived or a thing has existed'
In 2001, the Census recorded 301,415 people living in the Borough of Wigan, although mid-year estimates for 2006 suggest this has increased to 305,500 (Office for National Statistics 2006) Of this 301415:-
- 24.6% of the population in 2006 was under 19 years of age
- 60.4% of the population in 2006 was aged between 20 and 64
- 15.4% of the population over 65 years of age.
But we know this picture is changing. Please see WISDOM (Wigan's Information System of Dynamic Online Maps) for further statistics.
The UK in general has an ageing population and Wigan’s population projections reflect this fact. There is expected to be an increase in the population of over 65’s of 27200 (5.67%) by 2025.
In addition to an ageing population, there is expected to be a decrease of 6400 in the under 19’s age group by 2025.
Wigan Council has various initiatives and support groups for people of all ages:
- The linc (External Link)(run by Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust) offers is a website for young people in Wigan Borough, packed full of views, news, reviews, entertainment and loads more including youth clubs in most areas
- A Youth Service which includes Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, ByoU Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Youth Work Project, Outdoor Education Activities and the rafiki/motswako project
- Connexions - Connexions is the information, advice, guidance and support service for young people aged 13 to 19* (* up to 25 if young people have a learning difficulty or disability) and their parents and carers.
- Brook Advisory Centres(External Link) - commonly known just as Brook - are the only national voluntary sector providers of free and confidential sexual health advice and services specifically for young people under 25. Brook is a registered charity, and has 40 years experience of providing professional advice through specially trained doctors, nurses, counsellors, and outreach and information workers to over 100,000 young people each year.
- Bus pass service
- Older People's Advice
- Older People's Housing Service
- An older persons best value review was undertaken in 2005 to set in motion improvements to the way in which Wigan Council offers it's services to older people. Click here to read the full report
- Older People's Directory - The directory contains services, agencies and community groups aimed at older people
- Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust offer services for people of all ages. Please click here to see 'whats on?' in the borough
Please follow this link to find out more about your legal rights and what to do if you think you are being discriminated against on the grounds of age
