Active Travel Wigan is brought to you by Ashton, Leigh and Wigan NHS in co-operation with Wigan Council.
It has been designed to enable you to plan walking, cycling and public transport journeys in your local area. By helping you to walk and cycle as part of your daily routine, we hope to help you to lead a healthier lifestyle without having to embark on an expensive exercise programme.
This is an innovative and evidence-based approach to tackling the high levels of obesity seen in Wigan Borough, where around one in two adults are either overweight or obese. LWFG was launched in January 2009 supported by a Borough-wide Social Marketing campaign and includes a variety of multi-component interventions to support up to 11,000 patients per annum to achieve a healthy weight. Services are delivered by NHS Health Trainers, Community Weight Management Programme (Slimming World and Wigan Leisure Culture Trust), Specialist Weight Management providers and Dietary Advice Direct (DAD).
Access to all service is via the central telephone line 01942 496 496, which is open 7 days a week.
SHAPE is a partnership between Wigan Council and it’s partners in the health, voluntary and cultural sectors, and aims to get the people of Wigan Borough more active.
Our target is to increase the number of people participating in physical activity by 3000 each year until 2010. To do this, we need you to get involved! Log on to the SHAPE website or call 01942 488 481 for signposting to activities and sessions near you.
Adult Activities
The borough's adult population has lots of opportunities to get active everyday.
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This scheme is aimed specifically at working aged adults. Low-cost sessions in sport, dance and fitness are available across the borough, as well as free one-to-one sessions to get you motivated and find activities to suit your lifestyle. Beginners are welcome at all sessions.
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This team provides programmes to support people in becoming more physically active to improve their health and quality of life. Amongst other things is a community activity programme of outdoor activities including health walks, cycling, bowls, pilates and tai-chi. There are also targeted programmes for various groups of adults: older adults, learning disabilities, sedentary adults and a mental health and wellbeing project. The team also provides activities for the under fives and parents / carers.
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The borough boasts five centres and pools open to everyone. The centres provide gyms, swimming and fitness classes and a range of membership and pay-as-you options are available.
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The Wigan FANS scheme helps the borough’s elite athletes gain access to training facilities and opportunities to develop to their full potential.
Young People
Wigan is a great place to grow up - especially when there is so much to do!
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WSDU offers a wide range of sporting opportunities for children and young people. During summer and half terms there are ‘Get Active’ multi skills camps (external link) in venues across the borough. The full day camps are a great way to try lots of different activities and make new friends.
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Throughout the year, the Sports Development Unit offers community activity sessions in schools and other community venues which are often free – or very low cost and open to all. There are also disability sessions each week. There is lots more available through the Sports Development Unit, so get in touch and see what they can do for you.
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Wigan Council’s Outdoor Education team provides young people with the opportunity to take part in outdoor activities such as sailing and archery. For those wanting to take their skills further the team can help with information on the national Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
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The LINC website should be a first stop for teenagers. The site has updates on events and facilities for young people, not just in the borough but around the North West.
Families
As well as specific activities for adults and young people, there is so much that families can do together.
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There are parks and countryside dotted about the borough- great places for exploring your local environment and best of all, walking is free! As well as enjoying the natural habitat, there is a programme of events in the parks throughout the year.
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There are cycling schemes in place through the Active Living programme, specifically for families. Bikes, trikes and helmets can be hired free of charge, and the rides are all free and take place on traffic free routes.
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Active Living’s Food & Physical Activity project is aimed at under 5s and their parents/carers. As well as fun activities such as physibodies, pram pushes and toddle-walks, there are useful courses on healthy eating and meal preparation.
