Three is the magic number!
Earlier this month, the Standish Care Village came together to visit one of Wigan’s newest attractions.
The Cotton Works is a major regeneration project that is transforming a historic mill complex into a mixed-use neighbourhood.
The phased approach has seen the rejuvenation of the former Eckersley Mill site, a set of Grade II listed industrial buildings that date back to the 19th century.
Lakeside, Langtree and Worthington Lake Care Home came together in the first Standish Care Village outing, with the support of the homes’ new minibuses. It was great for the residents to visit a new environment and create some new friendships.
Residents first headed to Factory Floor, where they got stuck into the venue’s games, including shuffleboard, darts, basketball, pool, and skee ball. There was even time for some karaoke!
The trip was finished off with a visit to The Three Mills pub, where everyone enjoyed tucking into pastries and cakes whilst debriefing about which game was their favourite.
“I’ve really enjoyed my first month at Langtree, it’s been great to get to know all the residents and staff members. I’m looking forward to more trips out in the future and trying new and unique things with the residents.
“It was great mixing with the other homes in the Standish Care Village, and it’s brilliant for staff and residents to meet one another and make new friends. These activities help make it more like a community, more neighbourly so I do like that part.
“The Cotton Works was very inclusive, the staff were really friendly, and they were super hospitable. It’s a really nice place, and it’s been done in good taste.”
For some, the visit was more poignant. Celia, a resident at Langtree Care Home, used to work at the mills, so it was great to hear her stories and let her give her verdict on the development.
“When I left school at 15, I went to work at Eckersley Mill in Mill 2 as a Cotton Winder, or Cheese Winder as we called it. I worked there until I got married at 19. It was a good place to work, it was really alive with people back then.
“It was nice to see what they’ve done with the former mills. It’s not been altered too much, obviously, they don’t have the looms and the machines in there anymore but it’s still very similar.
“I enjoyed seeing the mirror made from the cotton bobbins. I think it’s a really interesting way to keep history alive.”
The overall Cotton Works vision is part of a phased approach that will see long-lasting community impact for Wigan, and homes within the Millennium Care Group are super excited to utilise the facilities with all residents!
For more information on the Standish Care Village, click here.
