About Us

Ensuring young people are safe, secure and that everyone is treated equally.

Whilst this is a collaborative effort, we try to ensure that all young people projects are youth led. This allows us to prioritise the needs of children and young people whilst fulfilling their expectations and aspirations.

Who we are

Our culture and values are at the core of everything we do. For us, it is not just about what we achieve as an organisation but how we do it.

Our values:

  • Community & Partnerships
  • Inclusivity
  • Teamwork
  • Accessibility

Our story

Plans for Leigh Youth Hub began in May 2021, when 400 young people responded to a council survey and described what they most wanted from a potential new youth facility. Leigh Youth Hub opened its doors to young people at the end of 2022, offering informal activities including arts and crafts, table tennis, pool, and an Xbox, as well as a computer room, where young people can catch up on their homework in a quiet space.

Local young people have continued to have their say and help shape the development of Leigh Youth Hub.

Meet the team

Mandy

Operations Manager
I’m Mandy, Operational Manager of Leigh Sports Village.

I have a wealth of experience in the Leisure industry having started in my first job 32 years ago as Lifeguard and in the years to follow I adopted many different roles such as Children’s Activity Instructor, Swimming Teacher, Aqua Aerobics Instructor, Receptionist and Fitness instructor. After I graduated, I found a keen interest in management and embarked on several management courses. I was soon offered the job of an Assistant Manager at Ashton Leisure Centre. A few years later I progressed into the position of General Manager of three fantastic Leisure Facilities in Wigan.

In 2022 I was offered the opportunity to take on a new role with Leigh Sports Village as Operations manager, the role still included managing Leigh Leisure Centre however also involved management responsibility for Pennington Flash, The Arena, and Leigh Youth Hub. Since taking on this new challenge I have loved so many aspects including building amazing staff teams, developing fantastic assets, forming new and productive partnerships, meeting so many wonderful people and endeavouring to make a difference.

The Youth Hub is such an amazing facility, and I love everything about it, including the support it is providing to the whole community – what is there not to love!

Fun Facts about me: I played Hockey for Greater Manchester; I can juggle, and my Favourite Food is Italian.

Suzanne

Duty Manager
I’m Suzanne, one of the Duty Managers & Fitness Instructors at Leigh Youth Hub.

I have over 10 years’ experience in the fitness and leisure industry, which has helped to shape my career into what it is today. I have a foundation degree in sports coaching, and I am also a trained fitness instructor & personal trainer, which has deepened my knowledge and passion for fitness and leisure. My love for sport started at a young age, my favourite being football which led me to play for a Hindley & Wigan Athletic Ladies.

As my passion grew, I qualified in and became a multi-sports coach as well as being a personal trainer.

I joined the Leigh Youth Hub team in 2023 and in my role I ‘wear many hats’. As a full time Duty Manager, I deal with bookings, manage risk assessments and budgets, whilst also overseeing the LinkedIn account along with other marketing duties. My biggest role is ensuring the building is safe for everyone at all times. In addition to my regular duties, I am also a fitness instructor and Duke of Edinburgh Verifier. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the hub; the sky is the limit here!

A fun fact about me: I am a huge marvel comics fan; my favourite character being Iron Man because he is a self-made hero.

Ross

Duty Manager
I’m Ross Ashton, a Duty Manager at Leigh Youth Hub.

I joined Leigh Sports Village in 2020, when I accepted a position at the Arena. Covid was a strange time in which the whole world came to a standstill, but as the saying goes, “The show must go on” and as a team, we embraced the challenge. I then transitioned to be a Personal Trainer at Leigh Leisure Centre because of my passion for fitness. This came at the perfect time for me as after covid, my no.1 goal was to help others with their mental health through fitness. It was during my time at Leigh Leisure Centre where a new and exciting opportunity arose at the Leigh Youth Hub opposite, where I now hold the position of Duty Manager.

Rugby has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I have also been fortunate enough to play for Bolton Wanderers in 2012 on a two-year scholarship, which sparked my passion for fitness and leisure. This is why working with our partners Leigh Leopards and Manchester United is my favourite aspect of my role at the Hub, it’s amazing to love what you do whilst occasionally seeing some famous faces- the icing on the cake! My role is also rewarding as we work with local colleges and schools for educational aspects too.

If you are interested in hiring a space at the Hub, give me a call or drop me an email and we can have a brew and a chat over what we have to offer. You could be the next part of our amazing journey!

A fun fact about me: I am a huge Wigan Warriors Rugby fan (they are by far the best team the world has ever seen, if you ask me!)

Karen

Senior Youth & Community Worker
I am Karen Campbell; Senior Youth Worker at Leigh Youth Hub.

I take on the roles of deputy safeguarding lead and Duke of Edinburgh Manager. I started working with children and young people as a young leader at Brownies aged 14 (big up young volunteers) and then went on to volunteer with Wigan Council’s Youth Service as part of my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and never left!

I have worked as a youth worker for over 20 years and gained my degree in Youth and Childhood studies supported by the Council. My experience ranges from 1:1 sessions with young people, case work, detached youth work, universal sessions and targeted groups based on ethnic background, looked after children, sexuality and gender. When coming to Leigh Youth Hub I wanted to work alongside young people in developing the hub into an inclusive, safe, fun, space which provides various opportunities to young people and that keeps young people at the heart of the decision-making process.

A couple of facts about me: I have met Eddie Eagle (google him for the glasses) and I love attending concerts and spending time with my family on adventures.

Hannah

Youth & Community Worker
I’m Hannah, a Youth and Community worker at Leigh Youth Hub.
I wear many hats at The Hub including Mental Health first aider, coordinating our SEN provision and you’ll often see me behind a camera running our social media accounts (young people willing to be in photos, you are legends). I started working with young people as a Cub Scout leader at 19 and had far too much fun! This led me to chase paid youth work opportunities.

For over 13 years, I’ve organised residentials and camps, ran targeted projects for young women, looked after children and SEN specific, mentored young people on a 1:1 basis, detached youth work and virtual youth work during Covid (doing karaoke in my stationary car on my drive on Instagram live was not on my 2020 bucket list). At The Hub, you’ll often find me putting my textiles degree to good use engaging young people in arts & crafts and challenging young people to try new things, make new friends and explore their passions.

Two fun facts about me: I’ve climbed an active volcano and have a new obsession each month, at the minute it’s crochet, last month it was puzzles who knows what’s next!