TalkFIRST

08/09/2026

Family mediation isn't complicated. Its a great way of 'pressing reset' on separated family life. Future focussed, child centred and the opportunity to say - and hear what's important. Check out this 2 minute video: https://youtu.be/zYhWdwazCZA?si=18gR7NiZR_tJaH54

08/09/2026

Today Claire and Tracy popped along to the amazing and inspirational HF Works to see Liz and Chloe about our work with families... and theirs.. with everyone! A wee chat about how we might do more together too.

Forgot the pic, as usual.. but lovely to see you both.. ❤️

View the full image in ChatGPT.

08/09/2026

Can anyone help?

🎄 Sorry to mention Christmas already… but we’re getting organised! 🎄

We’re starting to organise our Christmas party for residents and we’d love to make sure everyone has a Christmas jumper to wear! ❤️

We’re looking for new or good-quality pre-loved Christmas jumpers for both adults and young people.

If you have a Christmas jumper tucked away in the wardrobe that you no longer need, please consider donating it to The Brick. Your jumper could help someone feel included, festive and part of the celebrations. 🎅✨

🎁 Can you help us give our residents a little extra Christmas cheer?

📍 Drop-off point:
The Brickworks
4 Hodson Street
Wigan
WN3 4EN

We know it feels VERY early to be talking about Christmas… but we want to make sure we have enough jumpers for everyone! 🎄

Thank you for helping us spread some festive kindness. ❤️

07/09/2026

School avoidance is something that lots of the families who work with TalkFIRST experience. The impact on the whole family, and how they communicate and support each other can't be underestimated.

Great that so many have had their voices heard and included in this report.

𝟭,𝟭𝟬𝟯 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦. 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗗 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘.

We asked families experiencing school avoidance and school non-attendance to tell us what was really happening.

And more than 1,100 of you did.

You told us what was happening before attendance became difficult, what you believed was contributing to it, what happened when you asked for help and what the impact had been on your whole family.

Today, we’re publishing what you told us.

And when 1,103 family experiences are brought together, some of the findings are incredibly difficult to ignore.

This research only exists because so many of you came together and trusted us with your experiences. So a HUGE thank you to every single person who completed the survey, shared it or encouraged someone else to take part. 💛

You shared your voices. Our job now is to make sure they’re heard.

The full School Avoidance & Non-Attendance Research Report 2026 is now available:

https://www.schoolavoidance.co.uk/research

Please read it. Please share it. And please help us get these findings in front of the people who need to see them.

05/09/2026

Today is the International Day of Charity.. a day for celebrating every Charity everywhere... their amazing staff, volunteers and trustees all doing amazing things.

So big it up today for your local charities.. pop 50p in a tub, buy a tee shirt.. sponsor someone raising funds.. 🩵💙💚💛🧡 ... ot just say "THANK YOU" 😍

Sharing the love with some of our local charity and charitable partners
TalkFIRST Wigan Borough Community First Think Ahead Stroke Cat's Guidance Rescue Action Station NW CIC The Brick Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre Sunshine House Wigan Wigan & Leigh Hospice Your Housing Group Ince Community Centre DIAS Domestic Violence Centre Well Women Centre Leigh Ataraxia All Ears MHA Boxing For Better Complete Kindness CIC Cranfield Trust Embrace Wigan and Leigh Emotional Wellbeing Group Empathy North West CIC Familykind CIC Get Grants HF Works Healthwatch Wigan & Leigh Ince Rose Bridge Sports and Community Club Mayor of Wigan Borough National Family Mediation Re-loved at The Connect Centre Orrell Steps CIC Tou-Can @

04/09/2026

And happy weekending from TalkFIRST! The sun looks like putting in an appearance. Lets make the most of it!

02/09/2026

02/09/2026

Our friends at Think Ahead Stroke offering support advice and information in the community.

WE HAVE EXCITING NEWS!

Think Ahead will be a regular presence at Leigh Library from September 7th, not only can you receive advice, support and guidance but we will have access to a room to create "The leigh peer support group".

You can access this provision twice a month, the first set of dates have been outlined on the poster.

Residents of Leigh, we cant wait to welcome you to the charity.

01/09/2026

1st September... when everything seems to shift.

No longer is it 'proper' summer, the new school terms is almost upon us, and children everywhere starting a new chapter; mums, dads and others hold their breath, hoping it all goes well.

The flip flops are going away for next year and being replaced with something that needs socks, and Christmas starts to creep into the shops.

For separated families, it can be an unsettling time. If you need help navigating the changes, don't wait for crisis to hit, get in touch... Talk FIRST.

We're on 01942 243620

31/08/2026

🎒 **Back to school. Back to routine. But is your child being heard?**

As children head back to school, the start of a new term can bring excitement, new routines and fresh opportunities — but it can also bring worries and uncertainty, especially when family life is changing.

For children whose parents are separating, going back to school can highlight the things they may be finding difficult: moving between homes, changes to routines, missing a parent, or simply feeling caught in the middle.

💬 **Child Inclusive Mediation (CIM)** gives children and young people an opportunity to have their voice heard.

They aren’t asked to choose between parents or make adult decisions. Instead, they can share their thoughts, feelings and experiences with a specially trained professional, who can help bring their perspective into the mediation process.

Because sometimes, what a child needs most at the start of a new school year is simply to know that **someone is listening.** ❤️

At **TalkFIRST**, we believe children should have a voice in decisions that affect their lives — without having to carry the responsibility for making those decisions.

🎒 **This September, make sure their voice is part of the conversation.**