A community mental health programme is set to expand after a successful pilot.

The Game Changing Community Programme (TGCCP), designed by Wigan Borough Living Well, Wigan Athletic Community Trust (WACT), and Be-Well Wigan, will now benefit from secured funding to continue the initiative.

The funding will cover another six programmes, each running over 12 weeks, for a two-year period.

The TGCCP pilot, which began on April 11, 2024, was initially targeted at the borough's residents experiencing mental health challenges that significantly impacted their quality of life.

The programme comprises a personalised training plan and a variety of activities such as yoga, circuits, boxing, wellbeing walks, rock climbing, archery, and spin classes.

Participants also have access to weekly peer support groups, ranging from informal chats over hot drinks to workshops on coping mechanisms and nutrition advice delivered by experts.

Health assessments, progress reports, and goal setting for physical and mental health are also part of the programme.

Peer mentors Kieran, Megan and Chris (left to right) (Image: Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust) Jamie Cook, health engagement manager at Wigan Athletic Community Trust, said: "The Game Changing Community Programme (TGCCP) has brought together three outstanding local services, which when teamed together have been able to create an innovative programme to support the mental health and overall wellbeing of Wigan local residents.

"Each session has aimed to improve the confidence of our people to access movement in many forms rather than just attending the gym and feeling alone.

"The future is looking bright for the TGCCP."

Participants have shared their positive experiences from the pilot programme.

Hannah Unsworth said: "Before joining this programme, I felt extremely anxious about interacting with others.

"Over the past 12 weeks, I have pushed myself to attend all classes and sessions as well as interacting frequently with other participants and mentors.

"My confidence has grown massively, and I find it so much easier to be in public spaces and speak to people I don’t know."

The Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) is also exploring funding options to roll out the programme to staff, following a successful staff wellbeing pilot.