Community Award finalists

Bolton Hospice

AN organisation which plays a vital role in supporting all local people during some of their most difficult times has been shortlisted for the Community Award 2019.

Bolton Hospice has a number of diverse interactions to help people have a positive experience with them, even under the most trying personal circumstances.

It works closely with all communities, ages, religions and sexuality throughout the town to spread its message that it is there to help. Now, it is about to unveil plans for “Your Wellbeing Hub at Bolton Hospice” – a new multi-purpose community space designed to offer even more services than its current Day Therapy programme.

Commented Hospice Vice-Chairman Grace Hopps: “Being shortlisted is just such great recognition of the approach we take very day to working closely with everyone in our diverse community.

“We will always be a welcoming, caring, loving, supportive and safe environment for the people of Bolton.”

Bolton International Film Festival

THE Bolton International Film Festival has grown over the past three years to become a significant cultural and educational asset to the town.

Now, it’s also a finalist for the Community Award 2019.

The festival was recently voted a Top 12 UK Festival by Film Daily magazine alongside some of the biggest names in the industry like Raindance.

In October it will screen more than 100 short films across three days and five venues. It has also partnered with Northern Docs in a documentary commissioning initiative in partnership with the BBC.

Commented Festival Director Adrian Barber: “It’s fantastic that we’ve been recognised by the Business Awards.

“The Film Festival has community at its heart. We have a community of film-makers join us from across the UK and from around the world but we also see regular faces in our audience, volunteers and sponsors that make the event grow each year.”

Bolton Pride

BOLTON Pride offers the town its only LGBT+ festival run by volunteers and with sponsorship funding and now it is a finalist for the Community Award 2019.

Bolton Pride is a hate crime awareness initiative that promotes a zero tolerance approach to hate crime, supporting various projects and community groups throughout the year and safe spaces for LGBT+ community members.

Bolton Pride runs an annual festival that is now in its fifth year that allows a celebration of LGBT+ rights and gains massive community support.

Commented Festival Director James Edgington: “We have been working hard to deliver a safe all-inclusive festival while raising awareness of hate crime in Bolton against the LGBT+ community.

“Offering support and environments where people feel safe is of the utmost importance and, as we are now in our fifth year, it is brilliant to have been recognised by being shortlisted at the Bolton Business Awards.”

Market Place, Bolton

BOLTON’s Market Place has become a town centre “community hub” and is now a finalist for the Community Award 2019.

One of the biggest challenges to the new owners in 2013 was changing public perceptions of the centre. This involved persuading older generations hankering after the old traditional Market Hall to convincing fashion-loving teens and twenty somethings that it had everything they wanted and was more convenient than larger destinations like the Trafford Centre.

Today, Market Place is a contemporary vibrant shopping centre and leisure destination with a planned events’ calendar with broad appeal. Its events often involve local businesses and organisations and local community groups regularly use its promotional space.

Commented Centre Manager Nikki Wilson-Cook: “Creating somewhere in the heart of Bolton where young and cold can meet, shop, socialise and enjoy leisure time is central to everything we do and we’re proud of what Market Place has become.”

Sanber Ltd

A LABORATORY installation and refurbishment company which is a strong part of the local community is a finalist for the Community Award 2019.

Sanber Ltd is based in Astley Bridge. In 2016, it moved from its old workplace to the former Hutchinson & Howcroft cash and carry premises in Newnham Street.

It’s originally St Paul’s School and is in an iconic part of Astley Bridge. Sanber not only carefully refurbished the building, keeping many of the original features, but also employed local firms where possible.

Sanber supports local initiatives, regularly litter picks and weeds and uses its CCTV to help fight crime locally. It offers car parking for the nearby church and encourages local people to call in and share memories of the building and view its changes.

Commented Managing Director Bernard Coates: “I am extremely pleased that all the hard work Sanber puts into the community has been recognised.”