BoroughLife Podcast

Wigan Council
  • 1.0 (1)
  • Government
  • Updated Monthly

BoroughLife Podcast takes you behind the scenes of Wigan Council's residents' magazine, Borough Life. Hosts James and Rosie introduce you to some of their great guests - the people who help to make Wigan Borough so brilliant! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Sep 25

    Month of Hope 2026

    PLEASE NOTE: This episode contains conversations around mental health and suicide, which may be distressing for some listeners. For help and support, visit wigan.gov.uk/MentalHealth It’s Month of Hope, and Hayley and Lucy are chatting to Tracy from Be Well and Hazel from Public Health to find out more about what’s happening across the borough. They hear about the 2000 Flowers of Hope that have been hand crocheted by community organisations, the Hub of Hope, a free mental health support directory by Chasing the Stigma, and how Be Well’s walking programme is changing lives and boosting mental health for Wigan Borough residents. Useful links: Access the Hub of Hope here: Mental Health Support Network provided by Chasing the Stigma | Hub of hope The Box of Hope will be heading out to community venues across the month, you can find it at: HF Works week commencing 28 September All Ears MHA week commencing 5 October Craft Hive CIC week commencing 12 October Tudor House Hindley week commencing 19 October Find out more about Be Well’s free walks across the borough here: Walking | Be Well Join Be Well’s Community Rail Trail walk on Saturday 10 October! Book your free spot here (you’ll just need to create a free account): Activity Slot Details - Book | GladstoneGo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Month of Hope 2026

  2. Aug 6

    Digital Wigan, Digi Fest and a half-birthday surprise

    It’s festival season! To celebrate, Hayley and Lucy catch up with their office neighbours, Sam and Zoe, from the Council’s Digital Wigan team. They chat about Digital Wigan’s exciting work across the borough, before Sam and Zoe tell Hayley and Lucy all about their upcoming Digi Fest events. Move over Glastonbury! In the second half of the episode, Hayley and Lucy give James a special gift for their ‘halfiversary’, thanks to friend of the pod, The Chubby Northerner.   Useful links: Find out more about Digital Wigan and watch Christine and Irena’s story here: Digital Wigan Follow Digital Wigan on Facebook: Digital Wigan, Instagram: @digitalwigan and LinkedIn: Digital Wigan You can find us on TikTok on @boroughlife Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Digital Wigan, Digi Fest and a half-birthday surprise

  3. Jul 17

    A wander through Haigh Woodland Park

    We're back with our July episode (recorded back in May before the team was plunged into the midst of a high-profile by-election!) Join James, Lucy and Hayley for a special outdoor bumper edition as they visit Haigh to hear the latest updates from the team behind the estate's transformation programme. Discover how work is progressing in the Walled Gardens and Bothy Yard. In the second half of the episode, the team heads down the road to meet FAWNS (Forum for Aspull, Whelley and New Springs). Once an abandoned allotment, the site has been transformed into a thriving haven for wildlife, nature and local people. Hayley and Lucy speak to volunteer Neil about the group's inspiring journey and the impact it is having on the local environment and surrounding community.  For more info on Haigh, visit: Haigh Woodland Park Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    A wander through Haigh Woodland Park

  4. Apr 17

    Elections 2026

    The 2026 local elections are just around the corner so we caught up with Oliver and Katie from the elections team. We talk through what you need to know in the build-up and what it's like for the team throughout their big day on Thursday, May 7. Along with the serious stuff, we also talk coffee strategy and snack availability for the overnight count. Remember, the voter registration and postal voting deadlines are on the horizon so please check out www.wigan.gov.uk/elections for all the important information. You'll also find all the details there for Voter ID and where to find your polling station. Check out Wigan Council's social media channels on election night for all the results. See you next month! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Elections 2026

  5. Mar 25

    The Field at the Flash and a flashback to 1986

    Hayley and Lucy head to Pennington Flash to talk to Dionne, from Complete Kindness CIC, and Imelda, from Mindful by Nature CIC, to hear all about the sessions they are delivering as part of The Field at Pennington Flash, as well as some tips and tricks on how we can all be more mindful, and the benefits of getting out in nature!    In the second half of the episode, Hayley brings along the Galleries time capsule, recovered from the Fettlers site during demolition, for a deep‑dive with Lucy and James. Expect throwbacks, surprises, and all the nostalgic 1986 vibes! If you helped with the time capsule, or would like to be involved in the 2026 version in Fettlers, please get in touch!     Useful links:    Find out more about The Field, e-mail info@the-field.org.uk  You can find us on TikTok on @boroughlife  Have a story about The Galleries time capsule? Email: fettlers@wigan.gov.uk  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Field at the Flash and a flashback to 1986

  6. Mar 10

    Wigan's Voice & Borough Life Magazine

    Hayley and Lucy have a sneak peek audio tour of the new exhibition at Wigan Museum, exploring the borough’s past, what it looks like today, and what the future could hold. Plus James gives you the lowdown on the new Borough Life magazine! Learn more about the Museum exhibition here: Wigan Museum Read the Borough Life magazine here: Borough Life Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Wigan's Voice & Borough Life Magazine

  7. Feb 6

    Poetry, Filmmaking & Feel Good Local Stories!

    This episode contains conversations about mental health and suicide, which may be distressing for some listeners. For help and support, visit wigan.gov.uk/MentalHealth We’re kicking things off with a catch‑up from Tom Stocks, better known as The Chubby Northerner. You might recognise him from his pavement poetry, uplifting scrolls, or his iconic PO-E-TEA. Tom shares why poetry should be part of everyday life - not just something for the few - and reveals some incredible stories about how his words have made a real difference to people across the borough. In the second half, we sit down with Northern Heart Film to explore the story behind the borough’s brand‑new Filming Fund. A project that reinvests 100% of the councils filming fees straight back into young local creatives… and the first big opportunity? Young people in Leigh will get to create a documentary following chart‑topping band The Lottery Winners ahead of their homecoming stadium show in 2026! Useful links: Learn more about funding opportunities and what's going on in the community: Wigan Borough Communities Teams Learn more about the filming fund - Lights, camera, action: Filming fund set to help creative Leigh youngsters Like Wigan's film-friendly approach? Film in the borough! - Filming in Wigan Borough Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Poetry, Filmmaking & Feel Good Local Stories!

  8. 12/12/2025

    Let's stay safe this Winter and a new Borough Life magazine!

    This month's podcast is all about staying well in winter! With Kevin Parker-Evans, the chief nursing officer from the WWL NHS Trust and Lee Girvan from the Council's Public Health Team sharing advice on how keep yourself, family and friends safe and healthy this winter. The UK Health Security Agency is reporting a increase in cases of flu and RSV in early December, but there is still time to get protected for the rest of winter. Useful links: Get to know where to go | Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership Book, change or cancel a free NHS flu vaccination at a pharmacy - NHS Get help for your symptoms - NHS 111 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Let's stay safe this Winter and a new Borough Life magazine!
See All (39)

Ratings & Reviews

About

BoroughLife Podcast takes you behind the scenes of Wigan Council's residents' magazine, Borough Life. Hosts James and Rosie introduce you to some of their great guests - the people who help to make Wigan Borough so brilliant! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Wigan Council
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Wigan Council
  • Show Website
    BoroughLife Podcast