M&S Bolton Middlebrook

Harmony was founded in 2001 with the goal to assist young people aged 8-18, especially those who are disadvantaged, in realising their true potential through the creative arts. We provide activities focused around music production, photography, cooking, keeping fit, CV writing and interview skills for young people not in education or employment. Over the last 3 years we have seen an increase in the effect the pandemic and the cost of living crisis has had on these young people and their families. With this we have started running a food parcel pick-up and aiming more workshops and aid towards the families in our community who need more direct help.

Our goal is to support families in any way we can, physically , practically, spiritually and emotionally. We have a barnabas fund in place to help those in our local communities who need assistance and we aim to help those in need primarily through this fund. We have set up the Trading Post at our Hindley Green Church . It’s situated at the Bethel on Atherton road , Hindley Green. We are open Friday from 10-11 am and give away fresh food ( fruit / veg/ baked goods) plus cupboard staples. We are also open Saturday 10-11 am for fresh food only . We are thankful to neighbourly stores ( Aldi, M&S, Lidl) for their continued support, to Slimming World, Hindley Green and Daisy Daycare for their generous donations. We feed between 30-60 families a week from the community. Our aim is to take the pressure off ordinary families and as such we do not ask for referrals , it’s a ‘whosever will may come ‘ organisation . We want families in our community to live life to the full and we help in any way we can .

The Brick is a small charity that delivers big results for the community it serves. As its name suggests, it provides a safe, solid building block for people in crisis to begin to construct a new life and become valuable members of society. Since it began life in 2008, The Brick has become a real force for social change in Wigan Borough. The charity’s original aim was to support homeless people and help them make the transition from the streets back into independent living. The Brick’s remit has developed and evolved significantly over the years and it adopts an holistic approach to supporting people in need. The organisation seeks not just to help get people out of crisis but to transforms lives through training and work-experience opportunities that lead to real independence. In a typical week The Brick sees nearly 200 people who need help with issues such as financial hardship, fuel poverty, homelessness and domestic violence. It speaks to more than twice this number over the phone. It delivers 150 food parcels, serves 50 hot lunches and provides training opportunities for more than 30 people. The Brick is seen as an honest broker between its clients and the statutory service providers both in the borough and beyond. Working closely with other public services, The Brick has become a fundamental part of the care and enablement pathway for people in crisis in the borough. The organisation has attracted a diverse range of volunteers who know that in order for the community to thrive, each individual member of that community must thrive. Ultimately, The Brick provides the fresh hope of a brighter future to those who are, for a variety of reasons, struggling with their current circumstances.