Thrive In Five

On The Path To Purpose

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 this work and Edge Hill University, who will support the evaluation of the project’s impact.

Thrive in Five will enable community health creation in two interconnected ways.

Awards of £20,000, for VCFSE ‘Wellbeing’ focused work
A Wellbeing Circle to gather sector insight and strengthen collaboration.

The fund invited voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations to develop activity that supports wellbeing for people of all ages and backgrounds, while also strengthening collaboration and shared learning across the sector. Alongside delivering local activity, awarded groups will take part in the Wellbeing Circle, a space for organisations to work together, share insight, reflect on what is working, and contribute to a wider understanding of effective community-led wellbeing support. Through this approach, the fund aims to invest not only in services and activities, but also in the relationships, learning and capacity needed to build long-term, sustainable wellbeing support in communities.

‘Good mental wellbeing is fundamental to living a healthy, fulfilling life, and we know that some of the most effective support is created within our communities. Thrive in Five is an exciting opportunity to empower voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations to develop innovative, community-led approaches that help people connect, build resilience and improve their wellbeing.

By combining investment in local activity with opportunities for shared learning and collaboration through the Wellbeing Circle, this programme will help us better understand what works, strengthen partnerships across the borough, and build sustainable support that reflects the needs and strengths of our communities. We are delighted to be working alongside Wigan Borough Community First and Edge Hill University to make this vision a reality.’

Laura Wharton Assistant Director of Public Health at Wigan Council

Who Did We Fund?

From 31 total applicants – we brought together a to decide who would be accepted for funding, with a cap of £20,000 for any individual organisation who applied.