About the Town: An Update from Your Creative Community Hub

At About the Town, our mission is simple but powerful: to promote positive mental wellbeing by connecting people – with each other, with services, and with creative experiences that nourish the soul. Through our creative hub and coffee shop, About the Town Central, we’ve created a warm, welcoming space in the heart of the Concourse where conversation, creativity, and community thrive.

But like many grassroots organisations, we’re facing challenges. Recently, we received news that our business rates (similar to council tax, but for businesses) have risen significantly. This increase has put immense pressure on our finances and threatens the vital work we do every day. Thankfully, the Concourse Shopping Centre has stepped up to support us through this difficult time, and we’re doing all we can, including appealing the rise and fundraising creatively to keep our doors open.

Community Spirit in Action

Our recent fundraising efforts are a testament to the power of community. Andy, one of our team, recently completed a 40,000 metre SkiErg and row challenge – a symbolic follow-up to his epic 20,000 metre effort last year, raising over £1,900! We also threw a feel-good 70s and 80s disco night at ERooms recently, which brought people together over a shared love of music and dancing, raising £707 in the process.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who supported these events, from local businesses like Made in WN8 and Skelmersdale Electrical Distribution, to generous individuals (including some who wish to remain anonymous), and Steve Sax and the team at ERooms, who went above and beyond. Your kindness makes a real difference.

We will be hosting our next fundraiser, our popular community bingo event, on 29^th June! Just £5pp entry will get you 3 games of prize bingo, a free raffle ticket, free hot and cold drinks, free cakes AND free prosecco! 

What’s Happening at ATT Central this Summer

If you haven’t visited About the Town Central yet, come say hello. It’s bright, airy, and always buzzing with friendly faces. Our team is here to listen and chat in a world where too many conversations happen behind screens. We offer a relaxed environment with great coffee and snacks, free games, a pool table, a free library, and, most importantly, a sense of community.

We’re always growing, with exciting new sessions running regularly. NEW to our calendar are:

• Conversational English Classes – Every Friday at 2pm (1 hour), free of charge, designed for adults who speak English as a second language and want a friendly space to practice.
• Portrait Sessions and Life Drawing Sessions – nurturing creativity through guided art.
• Comic Book Club – a fun, social space for comic fans of all ages.

And don’t forget to check out our updated menu, featuring delicious pizzas and new kids’ lunch boxes complete with mini ceramic painting sets – ideal for keeping little hands busy and minds inspired.

Don’t Forget

Every Friday, we host our much-loved Community Cuppa session, a warm and welcoming space where anyone can join us for two hours of free hot drinks, toast, fruit, biscuits, and relaxed arts and crafts activities. It’s a lovely way to connect, unwind, and feel part of something. 

Weekly Calendar:

Wednesday:

FreeFlow Art Session (£5pp)

10am-12pm

Creative Writing Workshop (FREE)

12pm-2pm

Pottery Painting (£6pp)

10am-3pm

Thursday:

Adults Only Arts & Crafts (£5pp)

12pm-2pm

Adults only Figure Drawing (£5pp)

12pm-2pm

Adults Only ‘Cue & Brew’ Pool Challenge (FREE)

2pm-3pm

Pottery Painting (£5pp) 

Adults only 12pm-2pm

All Ages 2pm-6pm – Pre-booking Advisable

Comic Book Club (£5pp)

4pm-6pm 

Friday:

‘Community Cuppa’ (FREE)

10am-12pm

Conversational English Session (FREE)

2pm-3pm

Portraiture Session (£5pp)

2pm-3.30pm

Pottery Painting (£6pp)

10am-3pm

Saturday:

Pottery Painting (£6pp)

10am-3pm – Pre-booking Advisable.

Other Events at ATT:

Cartoon Drawing Session (£5pp)

1^st Saturday of each month – 10am-12pm  

Dementia Awareness Training (FREE)

TBA – 10am-11.30am – Booking Essential.

ATT Bingo (£5pp Entry + £5pp if you’d like to stay for Cash Bingo)

29^th June – 1pm-3pm (eyes down at 1.30pm) – Booking essential

LGBTQ+ Monthly Meet Up (FREE) 

1^st Wednesday of the Month – 1pm

WLBC Employability Drop in (FREE)

3^rd Wednesday of the month – 1pm-3pm

Ask the Agent – Housing Advice & Support for Tenants and Landlords (FREE)

1^st Friday of each month – 10am-12pm

To learn more about our events, training or sessions, or to book a place on any of the above, please email editor@aboutthetown.co.uk, call 07397 221 436, or drop into the hub. To keep up to date with everything ATT, follow us on Facebook: About the Town Skelmersdale

About the Town Central, Unit 144, Concourse Shopping Centre, Skelmersdale, WN8 6HB.