Latest News

About Banner

Pelican Centre helps local people get work-ready with government-funded Ambition project

Published on: March 4th 2026

Tyldesley’s community-led health, wellbeing and leisure facility the Pelican Centre has launched Ambition, a new project that helps local people in Tyldesley, Atherton and Leigh get ready for work.

Funded by the government and run in partnership with Wigan Council and the Department for Work and Pensions, Ambition’s unique programme is free for 16 weeks to anyone living in Wigan Borough who is looking to return to work after a break, who’s been out of work due to injury or illness, or who is long-term unemployed for any reason.

Ambition boosts mental and physical health, confidence and wellbeing with free access to classes, gym support and swimming at the popular Pelican Centre in the heart of Tyldesley.

Ambition participants benefit from:   

  • Exclusive Ambition classes and small group training
  • Personalised training programmes designed by professional PTs
  • Guided Gym sessions to keep programmes on track
  • Meet The Trainer sessions for 1-2-1 advice
  • Regular swimming and gym sessions

The Pelican Centre’s Business Manager Natalia Stothard said: “We recognise that for many people who are unemployed and out of work, poor mental and physical wellbeing can be a significant barrier to getting back into the workplace.

“Ambition is a brand new, free-to-access project designed by the Pelican Centre to help people in our local community get work-ready, giving our participants a much-needed boost of confidence, motivation and social connection to help them take that next step.”

Participants are aged 16+ and come from a range of backgrounds, including those who’ve left education, those who’ve been out of work after having a family, those who are long-term unemployed following redundancy, and unpaid carers who are looking to return to the workplace.”

Sign up to Ambition’s unique health & wellbeing programme

People living in Wigan Borough can sign up to the Pelican Centre’s Ambition programme if you’re:

Currently out of work (or working part-time and receiving Universal Credit)

Receiving Universal Credit

Aged 16+

Find out more about Ambition and sign up: https://www.pelicancentre.org/ambition/

Participants who sign up before the end of March are in with a chance of winning a Garmin smart watch. Receipt of Universal Credit or other benefits is not affected by participation in Ambition.

Ends