On a wet Tuesday in October, Platt Bridge Community Centre, near Wigan, is alive with the music of Shania Twain. About 30 women and one man are line dancing to her hit Man! I Feel Like a Woman! The class is so popular that the centre has recently introduced an extra session to meet demand.
The community centre is in the heart of Andy Burnham’s constituency, Makerfield, and they know all about budgeting here. It is run entirely by volunteers and has recently had to raise thousands of pounds for a new roof.
Norman Smith is one of the trustees. He says running the centre comes with tremendous financial challenges.
“It’s a very old building, and sometimes the trustees feel like they’re trying to keep all the plates spinning, it’s very hard at times.”
As well as line dancing, the centre is home to Wigan table tennis club. It also offers a food bank and a warm space.
Smith says the centre is an essential part of the Platt Bridge community.
“No one gets paid for working here. We have around 500 people using the centre. Financially it couldn’t run without the volunteers.”
Platt Bridge is one of the most deprived parts of Wigan.
When Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election, he said the constituency would not be a “stepping stone” to No 10, although he went on to become prime minister.
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