Happy Smiles CIC

Happy Smiles CIC Multi-award-winning social enterprise, led by disabled people. See our work in action at www.happysmilestraining.co.uk.
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We ‘Do Disability Differently’, delivering training, access audits, advocacy and more, led by lived experience experts.

Happy Birthday to us, Happy Birthday to us, Happy Birthday to Happy Smiles… Happy Birthday to us! 🥳7 years. How has that...
04/09/2026

Happy Birthday to us, Happy Birthday to us, Happy Birthday to Happy Smiles… Happy Birthday to us! 🥳

7 years.

How has that happened already?!

This photo is from our 5th birthday celebration, and somehow another 2 years have flown by since then.

From a small idea started in the centre of the universe, otherwise known as Wigan, to a disabled people’s-led organisation creating employment opportunities, supporting wellbeing, challenging stigma and helping tens of thousands of people to do disability differently across the North West… there is a lot to celebrate!

But the best bit has always been and will always be our people.

Our team, our Experts by Experience, our partners, supporters, families and everyone who has backed what we’re trying to achieve.

Thank you for being part of the journey so far.

Here’s to everything still to come as we keep doing disability differently! 💛

Image description: A large group of Happy Smiles team members celebrating the organisation’s 5th birthday together inside Hollywood Bowl Wigan.

One final pre-race push before Team Happy Smiles gears up for the Wigan 10K this Sunday! 👟A huge thank you to everyone w...
03/09/2026

One final pre-race push before Team Happy Smiles gears up for the Wigan 10K this Sunday! 👟

A huge thank you to everyone who has already donated, offered to support us on the day or signed up to help our team get around the course.

We’re still very much open to both!

If you’d like to support our fundraising towards employment and wellbeing opportunities for local disabled people, you can donate here:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/happysmiles-cic-wigan10k2026

We’re nearly ready… See you Sunday! 💛

Image description: A large group of Happy Smiles team members gathered together in the park at a previous Wigan 10K.

02/09/2026

Let's take a look at the reality of how different pathways can effect wheelchair users when out & about… 🎥

What might seem like a fairly smooth pathway to some, can cause great feelings of anxiety for others.

Small bumps that some may not even notice, may be a hindrance and a hazard.

We hope that by sharing these videos, as part of our accessibility series ahead of National Inclusion Week, we can enlighten future developers to really think about how design can impact everyone!

Thankyou for watching & being a part of our journey here at Happy Smiles CIC!

Video description: Members of the Happy Smiles CIC Team, wearing their Happy Smiles uniform, in their wheelchairs, showing us the impact of pathways out and about in Wigan Town centre.

01/09/2026

Looking for a gentle way to talk to children about a loved one's dementia?

"What Are Lewy Bodies?" breaks down Lewy body dementia in a warm, accessible way that children can actually understand. It takes away the fear and focuses on empathy, love, and connection.

Order yours directly from The Lewy Body Society:
https://www.lewybody.org/product/childrens-book/



Image Description:
The image shows the cover of the children's book "What are Lewy bodies?" by Alex Winstanley, illustrated by Yogesh Mahajan. It features an illustration of a child, a mother, and an older woman with glasses sharing a warm embrace against a colourful, textured background, with an "Approved by: The Lewy Body Society" badge in the upper right corner.

There is no better feeling than this… 🎉This Sunday, 6th September, Team Happy Smiles will be taking on the Wigan 10K tog...
01/09/2026

There is no better feeling than this… 🎉

This Sunday, 6th September, Team Happy Smiles will be taking on the Wigan 10K together!

Everyone completes the race at their own speed, supporting each other along the way and showing what teamwork, inclusion and community can look like.

It’s about starting together, finishing together and celebrating what we’ve achieved as a team!

If you’d like to join us on the day and help members of our team complete the race, we’d love to hear from you!

You can also support our work providing employment opportunities and wellbeing support for local disabled people by donating here:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/happysmiles-cic-wigan10k2026

We can’t wait to cross that finish line together again this year! 👟

Image description: A large group of Happy Smiles team members celebrating together after taking part in a previous Wigan 10k, in front of a red Joining Jack gazebo.

28/08/2026

Do you use Makaton?

Do you know where the name Makaton came from?

Did you know Makaton has been supporting communication for more than 50 years?

It began in the UK in the early 1970’s when speech and language therapist Margaret Walker carried out research at Botleys Park Hospital in Surrey, working alongside Kathy Johnston and Tony Cornforth.

In fact, the name Makaton comes from MArgaret, KAthy and TONy!

Today, Makaton is a communication programme that uses speech alongside signs and symbols to support understanding and expression.

More than 100,000 children and adults use Makaton signs and symbols, helping people to communicate, make choices, express themselves and connect with those around them.

As we celebrate Makaton International Awareness Day and this year’s theme of Together, a huge thank you to Lisa, one of our Learning Disability Experts by Experience, for helping us to think differently about how we communicate! 🙌

Video description: Lisa is sitting on a chair in a community space, explaining what Makaton is and how we use it to support communication at Happy Smiles CIC.

25/08/2026

Welcome to the latest video in our accessibility series, in preparation for National Inclusion Week next month!

Today’s video from James showcases a great example of making your place accessible and inclusive, particularly for wheelchair users.

Even though the radar key wasn't helpful with this toilet, we can appreciate the effort to keeping this amazing space safe for the people who truly need it.

We hope you've enjoyed watching this mini vlog by our James! 🎥

We hope it can influence positive changes to accessibility across the Borough and nationwide

Video description: James and his support worker showing a great accessible toilet and using the hoist & nursing bed to show us how it works.

The Wigan 10K is nearly here! 👟Next Sunday, 6th September, Team Happy Smiles will be taking it on together once again!He...
24/08/2026

The Wigan 10K is nearly here! 👟

Next Sunday, 6th September, Team Happy Smiles will be taking it on together once again!

Here are a few shots from previous years, showings our team supporting each other and proving what inclusive community events can look like.

Want to help us keep creating employment opportunities and wellbeing support for local disabled people?

You can support our work by donating here:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/happysmiles-cic-wigan10k2026

Every donation helps us continue doing disability differently across Wigan and the North West.

And if you fancy helping us out on the day, we would love you to get in touch.

We can’t wait to see everyone on the start line!

Image description: A collage of photographs on a yellow background showing Happy Smiles team members taking part in the Wigan 10K in previous years. Happy Smiles branding is also visible.

21/08/2026

Following on from this week’s video on accessibility for the National Inclusion Week series, here is the lovely Ella, explaining what good accessibility means for her!

Sometimes a person’s disability isn't obvious, but making simple changes, like larger wording on signs and hand rails at steps, can make everyone’s lives easier.

We'd love to know what positive changes you've made at your workplace or local building, to create a more inclusive environment?

Let us know in the comments!

Video description: Ella, wearing her Happy Smiles CIC zip up black hoodie with the yellow smiley face logo on, in an office setting, sat at a table, explaining about what makes a place accessible for her.

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Wigan

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 3:30pm
Thursday 9am - 3:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 3:30pm

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