RESIDENTS can now easily find community groups, volunteer opportunities, events and more at the click of a mouse thanks to a free resource matching people’s profiles to their hobbies.

The new Community Book website, developed by Wigan Council and Inform People, enables people to input their hobbies, interests and locations and instantly be matched to activities and groups to suit them.

Residents were also involved in shaping the website, including Susan Jones, who cares for her 21-year-old son Alexander.

Susan made him a profile and said: “Alexander’s learning disability means I am on the lookout for activities and groups that will improve his skills and give him more opportunity to socialise.

“Before Community Book I relied on a variety of ways to find out what’s on locally, such as word of mouth and social media.

"It was really time consuming so it is great to have this website do the searching for me.

“Alexander loves gigs, music, football, rugby and going to the cinema, among other things, and Community Book can show me activities with these topics, making life easier.

"I am even hoping to use the website as an opportunity to recruit any volunteers who would like to help and work with Alexander.

“I am now looking forward to more providers signing up to the website so there is even more to choose from.”

The free website allows residents to rate activities or events and has a comment feature so that they can leave feedback, giving others an indication of what to expect, while provider profiles can showcase job vacancies, volunteer opportunities and requests for equipment.

Cllr Chris Ready, portfolio holder for communities at the council, said: “The new website will be a fantastic way for residents to find events and groups that they might not even have known about before.

“Wigan Council officers have been working tirelessly with community groups over the past few months to get them signed up to ensure the resource is thriving with as many opportunities as possible.

"I urge both community groups that have not yet signed up and residents borough-wide to take advantage of this free resource.”

Resident and community group profiles can be created at communitybook.org.