In 2024, the town was identified as part of the Government’s long-term plan to regenerate towns and cities.

The Farnworth Board was set up to oversee the project.

They established The Farnworth Fund to provide grants of up to £10k for 12 months to voluntary, community and social enterprise groups and organisations to support accessible, community-led activities.

The awarding is managed by Bolton CVS and Bolton u3a was successful in its application for a new project called Fun and Fitness in Farnworth.

This will be based at The Well centre on Trafford Street.

The idea is to improve the wellbeing and social connections of residents, improve access to services and support, increase skills, learning and employment readiness and to strengthen local communities through resilient neighbourhoods.

Bolton u3a – formerly University of the Third Age – is the local group of a national organisation helping people learn, share knowledge, socialise or just have fun.

It already runs a variety of weekly events across the borough.

Now, its work with The Farnworth Project will provide free weekly, one-hour keep-fit sessions every Thursday at 11.15am and 12.30pm, which started on Thursday, September 24.

As Steve Brown, u3a vice-chair and groups’ coordinator explained: “The sessions will be around improving the strength and balance of participants and will be tailored to residents’ capabilities.

“Subsequently, the aim is to add sessions on Tai Chi and Pilates to those individuals capable of doing more advanced activities.”

There will also be a games afternoon at 2pm at The Well on the third Monday of each month to encourage people to socialise, play familiar board games and meet other people.

The first session is on October 19.

Each month there will be a session on the last Wednesday of the month at 2pm providing information on topics to help development and employment readiness.

Initially, u3a will also be providing sessions to offer information about IT and AI to improve understanding of technology and computer usage, with the first session on October 28.

Although it usually costs £25 a year to become a member of Bolton u3a, residents enrolling in the programme receive free membership from September 2026 to July 2027 to enable taking part in u3a’s full programme.

For more information contact Steve Brown on 07902271323.