Key Points
- New Women-only Space: A wellbeing hub named 'Space' will soon open up on Chorley New Road in Horwich, giving women a dedicated place to relax and attend to their wellbeing needs.
- Personal History of the Founder: The establishment has been built through the efforts of Wendi Hyland-Smith, after a journey of self-discovery and recovery which lasted for six years following two decades of caring for other people.
- Career History: Mrs Hyland-Smith worked for 20 years in local authorities, working in children and family services, safeguarding, and the education sector before switching her profession to that of holistic and alternative therapies.
- What to Expect at the Venue: The hub will organize various workshops, therapies, activities, and opportunities for creating networks of connections and friendships among women.
- Mantra of the Project: The space follows the personal mantra, "Be you. Do you. For you." Mrs Hyland-Smith used to share this phrase with her daughter, encouraging her to practice self-care without feeling guilty about it.
- Timetable: Currently, cosmetic changes are being made at the Chorley New Road venue, with the opening scheduled for September.
Horwich (Bolton Today) August 31, 2026 — A new dedicated space designed exclusively for women is being established in Horwich to provide local residents with a peaceful retreat from the pressures of daily life, allowing them to focus on personal self-care and build strong community connections. Named 'Space' and situated on Chorley New Road, the upcoming wellbeing hub will feature a wide range of holistic therapies, interactive workshops, creative sessions, and informal social gatherings intended to help women prioritize their mental and physical health without judgment.
What Is the Concept Behind the New Horwich Wellbeing Hub?
As reported by Maddie Avery, Trainee Reporter for The Bolton News, the brand-new venue is tailored to offer local women an environment where they can switch off from modern daily responsibilities, meet like-minded individuals, and be "unapologetically themselves."
The hub aims to combine structured activities with informal drop-in visits, ensuring that local women have access to both formal wellness sessions and quiet recreational corners. Whether visitors choose to enroll in specialized creative workshops or simply sit quietly with a book, the environment has been structured to accommodate every individual’s personal preference.
Speaking to The Bolton News, founder Wendi Hyland-Smith expressed her enthusiasm for launching the initiative, emphasizing that such a dedicated environment is genuinely required within the local community. Mrs Hyland-Smith stated:
"I'm very excited because I think it's somewhere that's needed. I feel as though sometimes women need permission to step away from the roles, and I just want people to be able to just walk in and feel completely comfortable stepping in on their own whether or not they're accessing a session or they just want to sit in a corner and read a book. A whole mix of experiences is what I want to bring."
Why Was 'Space' Created on Chorley New Road?
According to reporting by Maddie Avery of The Bolton News, the core philosophy of the facility is encapsulated in its central slogan and mantra: "Be you. Do you. For you."
Mrs Hyland-Smith revealed that the phrase originated as a personal family rule that she regularly shared with her young daughter during everyday moments. Over time, it developed into the guiding principle behind establishing a physical sanctuary for women throughout the local district.
Elaborating on the importance of this message, Mrs Hyland-Smith told The Bolton News:
"It's a mantra that I've said to my little girl since she was little, it's something that we always come back to because it's really important that you do what you want to do for you and be able to create something that enables women to access and support their wellbeing without them even realising."
Explore More Local Businesses News
NCP Fines Bolton Business Owner £500 at Ashburner Street 2026
Bolton News Business Awards 2026 Shortlist Revealed | Bolton 2026
What Inspired Founder Wendi Hyland-Smith to Launch the Project?
The creation of 'Space' comes directly out of Mrs Hyland-Smith’s personal six-year journey of reflection, recovery, and self-discovery. Prior to founding the initiative, she spent two decades serving in local authority roles that covered safeguarding, education, and children and family services.
Although she found her two-decade career in public service deeply rewarding, Mrs Hyland-Smith acknowledged that continuously addressing the complex needs of others led her to neglect her own health and emotional balance.
As detailed by journalist Maddie Avery in The Bolton News, Mrs Hyland-Smith explained her experience of working while battling burn-out and stress:
"I worked in Children and Families, Safeguarding, and Education and although I absolutely loved it, I wasn't looking after myself, I was running on autopilot and had lots of ups and downs."
Overcoming Personal Challenges and Overcoming Pride
Beyond her demanding professional history, Mrs Hyland-Smith encountered significant personal challenges that shaped her perspective on mental health and community support. She believes many women face similar burdens, often hiding their internal struggles due to societal expectations or personal pride.
Addressing the importance of breaking down barriers around mental health support, Mrs Hyland-Smith shared with The Bolton News:
"Everybody's got a story, everybody's got a journey that we're going on and quite a lot of the time we hide behind our own pride and I wanted it to be clear that it's OK to access the support. I think I resisted for such a long time."
How Did Holistic Therapies Aid in Her Personal Recovery?
During her personal period of recovery, Mrs Hyland-Smith began researching alternative and holistic wellness practices to manage stress. This exploration led her to formally retrain in several distinct therapeutic disciplines, helping her regain a clear sense of identity beyond her roles as a mother and employee.
Reflecting on her transition, Mrs Hyland-Smith recounted to The Bolton News:
"I had to find myself again, I had to find out who I was because I've always been mum and I've always worked but I didn't actually know who I was. That's why I want to try and emulate in this space, that you are a person too and your needs are really important to give yourself this little bit of time to support your wellbeing is a priority."
Addressing the Impact of Modern Daily Pressures
Mrs Hyland-Smith highlighted how modern digital lifestyle factors, constant screen notifications, and everyday stressors routinely overload the nervous system. Without adequate intervention, this continuous strain negatively impacts workplace performance, personal relationships, and parenting dynamics.
As reported by Maddie Avery in The Bolton News, Mrs Hyland-Smith observed:
"We're waking up with stress every single day, on the screen, we've got things being thrown at us and demanding us and they're going to impact how we perform and how we respond and how we behave as a parent and show up to work."
When Will the Horwich Wellbeing Centre Open to the Public?
Cosmetic alterations and interior renovation work are currently progressing at the Chorley New Road property in Horwich. Mrs Hyland-Smith aims to complete the building work in time to officially open the doors to visitors in September.
To keep the local community updated on the site's transformation, Mrs Hyland-Smith has been sharing regular video updates, photos, and behind-the-scenes developments across her social media channels as the venue nears completion.