Two new members have joined the Newton-le-Willows Neighbourhood Board, bringing specialist expertise in education and health to help shape how £20 million of Government funding is spent in the town over the coming decade.
Catherine Twist and Claire Glover have been appointed following an open recruitment process, taking up roles as Education and Opportunity Representative and Health and Wellbeing Representative respectively. The appointments fill the two vacancies advertised earlier this year, as the Board drives forward its Pride in Place Regeneration Plan – a 10-year strategy backed by the Government’s Long-Term Plan for Towns funding.
The Regeneration Plan and its four-year investment priorities were developed following extensive community consultation, with funding allocated across four areas: Regeneration, High Streets and Heritage; Education and Opportunity; Health and Wellbeing; and Cohesion. The plan was submitted to Government in November 2025 and approved in March 2026, with the first three projects already given the go-ahead – a new playground at St Johns Park in Earlestown, audio-visual and lighting upgrades at Earlestown Town Hall, and an Arts on Prescription programme at Newton Library.
Catherine is a Newton-le-Willows resident whose teaching career began in 1991 at St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic High School. She later joined St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School in Parr as Science Department Leader before becoming head teacher in 2015, a role she held until her retirement in 2024. She now serves as an independent member for admissions and exclusion appeals in St Helens.
Catherine said: “We have a duty to encourage everyone in our community to aspire to be the best they can, to be inspired and to inspire others. I hope that by being involved in this exciting project, I will be able to offer my knowledge and support to all stakeholders in the Newton-le-Willows community.”
Claire lives and works in Newton-le-Willows and brings more than 25 years of experience in health and wellbeing prevention and promotion services. She is currently Operations Manager at St Helens Wellbeing Service, where her work focuses on improving health outcomes and helping people make sustainable long-term lifestyle changes.
Claire said: “Living and working in Newton-le-Willows, I’m deeply committed to its future, championing inclusion, empowering communities, and fostering long-term healthy lifestyle changes. I look forward to contributing my expertise and supporting positive, sustainable outcomes for our town.”
Chris Hickey, Chair of the Newton-le-Willows Neighbourhood Board, said: “We are delighted to welcome Catherine and Claire to the Board. Their knowledge and expertise, alongside their passion for the town, will help us to drive forward change in areas that really matter to local people.”