2021

Health and Happiness

Recent findings in cognitive psychology have corroborated the same synapses of the brain fire whether you are remembering your own experiences, recalling a scene that you once read in a book or saw in a film, or dreaming of some future happiness. This research is especially significant in relation to art and Culture and the power it contains to transform our collective spirit and the quality of our lives. Everybody should be able to enjoy the pleasure, the opportunity for personal expression and the insightful, life-changing journey it can take us on. Through culture, the individual and communities are enriched with vitality to live healthy and happy lives.

In 2021 Wigan will begin a programme of cultural events, actions and happenings which will invite our citizens to imagine, visualise, build concepts and images which will begin a process of cultural transformation in our towns, parks, streets and homes. This stirring of the creative Fire Within is integral to building a vital path to health and happiness.

In 2021 The Fire Within will...

• 💥Evolve and expand Wellfest, Wigan's health and wellbeing festival, as a showcase for rejuvenation and creativity in our Borough.
• 💥 Collaborate with Public Health and Clinical Commissioners Group activity to focus on cultural activity that explores mental health, encouraging open dialogue and expression, giving voice which creates more understanding and eradicates stigma.
• 💥 Galvanise the 15 Libraries in our towns across the borough, to work closely with our communities, and highlight exciting new scientific research, literature and publications focused on health and happiness.
• 💥Mobilise and explore Wigan's exceptional green spaces to stage cultural events and community activity. Haigh Hall has the largest area of ancient woodland in Greater Manchester. Wigan's Central Park (now Mesnes Park) was once host to an annual Carnival with 1500 performers and attracted 40,000 visitors.
• 💥Activate and promote Wigan's exceptional green network of canals through the borough, in partnership with The Canal and River Trust, highlighting the 23 locks of the Wigan Flight Canal Route, which according to World Heritage Expert John Hinchcliffe is 'one of the most impressive ensembles of canal infrastructure in the country'.