Written by Charlie Daw
- Amount Funded: £20,000
- Contact: [email protected]
- Areas: Orrell and Billinge
Wigan Borough Community First (WBCF) is pleased to announce that O’Connor Gateway Trust has been awarded funding through the Thrive in Five programme.
O’Connor Gateway Trust has more than 22 years’ experience supporting adults recovering from drug and alcohol dependence, helping people rebuild their lives, reduce the risk of relapse and move towards positive, sustainable futures. Developed from lived experience, the Trust provides peer group work, coaching, recovery communities, healthy activities and aftercare support to help people overcome barriers and build confidence, independence and a stronger sense of belonging.
Through its Thrive in Five-funded project, O’Connor Gateway Trust will deliver an eight-week wilderness therapeutic programme at Greenslate Farm for groups of people accessing recovery services. The programme will combine mindfulness, self-compassion and nature connection with practical outdoor activities including fire lighting, shelter building and outdoor cooking, helping participants to develop resilience, confidence and self-belief.
What is Thrive In Five?
Thrive in Five was created to support new, creative and community-led approaches to improving mental wellbeing across Wigan Borough. WBCF is working closely with Public Health at Wigan Council, who commissioned the programme, and Edge Hill University, who will support the evaluation of its impact.
The programme provides awards of £20,000 to voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations to deliver wellbeing-focused activity for people of all ages and backgrounds. Alongside the funded projects, successful organisations will take part in a Wellbeing Circle, creating an opportunity to share insight, learn from one another and strengthen collaboration across the sector.
Through this approach, Thrive in Five aims to support local well-being activity while building the relationships, knowledge and capacity needed to develop sustainable, community-led support across the Borough.
About O’Connor Gateway Trust
O’Connor Gateway Trust works with people affected by drug and alcohol dependency, providing structured rehabilitation, peer support and aftercare. Its Community Rehab in Wigan offers group and one-to-one support covering areas such as self-esteem, motivation, relapse prevention, triggers, cravings and SMART goal setting.
The Thrive in Five-funded wilderness programme will provide participants with an opportunity to explore mindfulness, self-compassion and connection with nature alongside practical outdoor activities. Across autumn and spring cohorts, 32 people will take part, with four participants progressing to accredited Level 2 Wilderness Therapeutic Interventions training.
The project is being delivered with support from Burton Addiction Centre and Mindful by Nature, with Greenslate Farm providing the setting for the programme. A cabin will also provide a quiet reflective space, support for one-to-one sessions and an indoor alternative during poor weather.
For more information about O’Connor Gateway Trust, contact Wayne McGarrigan at [email protected], Scott Johnston at [email protected] or Jennie Johnston at [email protected], or visit https://oconnorgateway.org.
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