The Next Chapter

22/01/2026

If you're in with me today, or any other appointments in Tyldesley, Please consider traffic when planning your journey today 😊

21/01/2026

Due to staff illness we are unfortunately unable to provide cover at our scheduled outreach session at St Paul's Community Centre from 12.30pm to 2.30pm tomorrow, Thursday 22nd January. As a very last resort, and for the safety of all attendees, we have had to make the decision to cancel the session tomorrow.

We will be back as normal for the upcoming cooking skills session next week, Thursday 29th January from 7pm to 9pm. Full details can be found on the Schedule of Events pinned to the top of this page.

We apologise for any inconvenience this late cancellation may cause.

20/01/2026

👌

19/01/2026

Just in case you were feeling down today, please don't fall for anyone minimising you, or your feelings in order to profit from you.

Blue Monday was nothing more than a marketing tool.

If you're sad, you're sad. January is hard, it's dark and it is 564 days long. Many of us struggle this month. We will manage.

Some of us might need additional support from groups like Andys Man Club in their local area. Samaritans DIAS Domestic Violence Centre. Reaching out can feel difficult, but it can be the best thing we ever do.

I know… we say it every year but we just need to remind you that Blue Monday was in fact made up by a travel company to sell more holidays 🥲 Depression doesn’t care what day it is. If you’re feeling low, we’re here for you 💙

08/01/2026

It's another cold one tonight, I'm pretty sure it's trying to snow once again

Your safety and wellbeing is always priority.

If you're in tomorrow please do take care on your journey, and as always if you need to make any amendments to our plans drop me a message 😊

Stay warm, you know the heating will be on at The Next Chapter 😊

06/01/2026

In November Wigan Council announced they would commission an Independent Audit into the planning application process for the warehouses in Astley.

This Independent Audit was undertaken by the Planning Officers Society who was given a 2 week timescale by the council to have it completed alongside a very short brief.

This Council as again wasted thousands of tax payers money in commissioning a report which they already knew the outcome of because of the brief they gave.

In November I wrote to the Chief Executive and government stating that an Independent Inquiry needs to be done into this planning application and how the process to get it approved was done, including interviewing everyone involved including members of the planning committee.

I will be again writting to both the Chief Executive and Government again outlining this.

Below is details of the brief given to the Auditor by Wigan Council and attached is the final report.

Terms of Reference
1. The purpose of the audit is to establish whether the process followed in dealing with the planning application properly complied with law, regulations and national guidance. It is not a function of the audit to consider the merits of the application, ie whether the decision to grant planning permission was the correct one in planning terms.
2. The review examines the planning history of the site, all aspects of the processing of the application from submission, reporting, committee consideration, decision and approval of conditions. It includes consideration of whether all statutory requirements were met in registering and publicising the application and whether there was any inconsistency or ambiguity in the application plans and documentation. Particular focus has been on consultation both pre-application and post submission.
3. The audit took the form of a desk top review of the documentation, a site visit, meeting the Development Management Officers responsible for processing the application and an on-line meeting with representatives of the Astley Warehouse Action Group. The intention was to have an in-person meeting with members of the Action Group but this could not be arranged within the timescale and commitments of those involved.

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:be697e43-5d8c-48e2-89e0-bf7be3b728c1

06/01/2026

Wow that's the Christmas Break over, back in clinic in the morning.

The weather is set to be exceptionally cold overnight. If you're unsure about travelling and need to move to Zoom, phone or rearrange then get in touch. I'd rather you feel confident with your journey if the roads and pavements are challenging.

Get in touch the usual ways.

As always I'm looking forward to getting back to it, despite the temperatures 🥶🐧

30/12/2025

30/12/2025

REMINDER: All of our groups will be closed on Monday December 29th.

Our groups will be back open on January 5th 2026 7-9PM.

If you need someone to talk to please contact the Samaritans on 116 123

If you need urgent help please contact the emergency services.