Life in Salford magazine issue 24

Do something amaz ing!

Foster for Salford Read more on page 23

INSIDE Fairer, greener city pg. 8-9

New homes for NHS staff

Community funds

BBC Phil for ÂŁ3

pg. 11

pg. 26

pg. 29

Welcome to LIFE IN Salford. In this issue we’re showcasing local information, activities, news and advice from across the whole of Salford, including a special section with news and activities from the local community.

We hope you enjoy reading LIFE IN Salford and we’d love to hear what you think about the magazine or any ideas you have for future content. Email lettersinlife@salford.gov.uk

In this issue...

Council budget set pg. 3

Stop the rot pg. 10

New name for City West Housing Trust pg. 13

Cover image: Posed by volunteers.

LIFE is managed by an editorial board made up of members of the partners, and is administered and designed by Salford City Council’s Communications Team. This edition will be distributed week commencing 18 March 2019. Printing: Cliffe Enterprise Ltd. Distributed to more than 122,000 households by Royal Mail and other agencies. Contact: Salford Civic Centre, Swinton, Salford, M27 5FJ. Any leaflets or flyers inserted in or distributed with this magazine do not appear with the partners (listed below) endorsement or agreement and we discourage our distributors from putting material inside your copy of LIFE IN Salford.

An electronic copy is available on www.salford.gov.uk/life

Boost for Little Hulton pg. 18

Hostel to social housing pg. 27

ON THE COVER

IN THIS ISSUE

8-9 11 23 26 29

16 17 19 22 22 24 25 28

Fairer, greener city New homes for NHS staff Foster carers Community funds BBC Phil for £3

REGULARS 3 6-7 14-15 20-21

City Mayor's column Salford in short What's on Community pages

BetterOff and jobs Going digital NHS plan Worlsey Leisure Centre Homes to let Reduce your risk Be bowel cancer aware Different highways

All enquiries including large print versions of this magazine – email lettersinlife@salford.gov.uk

This magazine is funded and produced by:

U n i v e r s i t y Te a c h i n g Tr u s t

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 3

Council sets budget It has once again been a challenge to set a balanced budget for the coming financial year. The budget was agreed by full council in February. It represents the best value for money possible for local residents when taking into account the increased demand for services and reduction in funding available to the council.

The council has lost £13.06 million from our budget for services in 2019/20. This takes the cumulative total lost from Salford to £211 million since 2010. This is equivalent to £53,000 being cut from our budget each and every day.

Over 53 per cent of the city’s core funding from central government will have been cut in ten years and this doesn’t come without severe consequences.

Councils and cities in the north have been hit the hardest by austerity, as there is less scope for raising money locally from council tax and business rates. Although there have been improvements and areas of the city are hotspots for new businesses, Salford is still the 22nd most deprived local authority in the country.

Government funding announcements for this year haven’t provided the badly needed additional resources we need for children's and adult social care. We have joined with

other local authorities to demand fairer national funding based on need.

Without fairer funding we are left with the real job of trying to protect services that matter most to local communities.

This means we have have been forced to take the difficult decision to increase council tax bills for residents by 2.99% and add a 1% adult social care precept. Approximately half of this money goes to services for children and young people and the elderly, disabled and vulnerable in our city.

Many of our residents depend on the services Salford City Council provides. Despite the hard choices we have made we have managed to find cuts that have the least impact on frontline services and have maintained a capital budget that can invest in providing more affordable housing, boosting local jobs and increasing the amount of money spent locally to benefit our city.

Our city is growing and we are working hard to make sure everyone benefits from a better and fairer Salford.

Paul Dennett, City Mayor of Salford

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 4

Awards chosen by the public: Citizen of the year:

Ben Andrews

Award winners Unsung heroes celebrated Outstanding Salford volunteers and public servants who have made a real change in their community were recognised at the Spirit of Salford Community Awards 2019.

The winners were announced at a special celebration event at the AJ Bell Stadium.

City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “Our award winners should feel immensely proud. Their achievements are truly extraordinary and they are the lifeblood of this city.

“We’ve had a fabulous response from our communities, with hundreds of nominations and thousands of votes in our public polls.”

Award sponsors

U n i v e r s i t y Te a c h i n g Tr u s t

Salford CVS

Making a difference in Salford

Ben, who has a visual impairment, has spent nine years working to open up physical activity to disabled people in Salford. Ben developed the Empower You project to help disabled people take part in activities they might not otherwise manage.

Ben is now turning Empower You into a mainstream service for disabled people and their carers.

Community group of the year:

Irlam and Cadishead Volunteer Driver Scheme

The scheme was set up in 2012 to help local people get to hospital appointments and reduce the cost of travel. Drivers volunteer between two to six hours a week using their own vehicles and build relationships with patients giving them emotional support in difficult times.

Public servant of the year:

Nicholas Lees

Nicholas Lees, a consultant in colorectal cancer at Salford Royal Hospital, couldn’t be thanked enough by his nominee. Her mother was in hospital with lung cancer when her father needed emergency surgery for a burst colon. Dr Lees and his team were amazing and she will be forever grateful to him for saving her father's life.

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 5

Awards chosen by the judges Young person of the year:

Best health achievement:

Ethan, 16, has overcome adversity and health challenges to become an incredible fundraiser. He wanted to give something back for the support he received so he raised funds for his school and thousands of pounds for Salford and Greater Manchester charities. In 2016 aged 14 he was the youngest person ever to receive the British Citizen Award. He has also won the Pride of Sport Award for overcoming adversity while achieving a high level at swimming.

Gail left work to care for her parents who had dementia. Gail works with the University of Salford and has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers. Gail has given valuable insight to the university’s research. She is a member of Salford Dementia Champions, Dementia Action Alliance and the Older Persons Forum.

Ethan Evans

Gail Bowker

Best community safety project: Volunteer of the year:

Phil Bainbridge

Police officer and father of four Phil runs the 12th Swinton Scout Group for children aged six to 14 years and has helped to create groups for children aged 14 to 18.

Phil is passionate about making sure every child can join in. He also set up a Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme for children in the group to help them progress to further studies and get a job.

Good neighbour of the year:

Hannah and Owain Williams

Hannah and Owain go above and beyond to help their neighbours.

They get involved in community events and organise all kinds of support to lend a hand. They raise money for local children who would otherwise not receive Christmas presents and are always there to help in a crisis.

Best environmental improvement:

Moorside High School

Moorside High School senior students decided they wanted to act on the global problem of plastic. They presented assemblies to school students, gave lectures to staff and met with school lunch providers. Through their action single use plastic bottles will no longer be used in school.

Cardboard cartons are now sold at lunch time and a new Moorside refillable bottle has been created.

Reach out: Start to End Suicide

Reach Out: Start to End Suicide helps support people affected by suicide, reducing stigma and preventing suicide through its work in the community. The scheme has run education sessions, awareness raising events, group therapy for survivors and carried out more than 3000 conversations to help people identify warning signs of suicide and start conversations to save a life.

Best age friendly project:

Salford Veterans Breakfast Club

Salford Veterans Breakfast Club was set up by veterans in January 2015 in Pendleton. Many veterans who attend are elderly, feel isolated and some have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and physical disabilities. The club has transformed many lives and enabled people to reconnect with the armed forces community.

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 6

Salford in short £99,000 boost for survivors Salford City Council has won funding to create nine new places for men or women fleeing domestic abuse who may not qualify for temporary accommodation.

The places will avoid people feeling they have to stay or return to abusive relationships. People will also get support to help them secure safe, long-term housing. Please ring the supported tenancy team on 0161 607 1620 or e-mail SupportTen@salford.gov.uk for details.

Domestic abuse can involve anything from violence and threats of violence to controlling behaviour such as denying access to money or cutting someone off from friends or family. It can happen to anyone of any age or background and the best way to help is to contact the authorities and get professional help.

Anyone who needs help can contact: National domestic violence helpline (24-hour) freephone 0808 2000 247.

Please call 999 if you are in immediate danger.

Funds to help Salford’s eight community committees have funds from Salford City Council for projects to strengthen their neighbourhoods, improve health or give children a good start.

There’s a total of £250,000 to bid for across the city and community or voluntary groups are invited to apply. Local residents and councillors assess and approve bids.

See www.salford.gov.uk/ devolvedbudgets for details and deadlines.

Grants of up to £500 are also available from the Ceremonial Mayor’s community chest which can help groups make a difference in their community or help individuals achieve a specific goal.

The deadline for applications is Friday 26 April and grants will be made until all the funds have been spent. See www.salford.gov.uk/ mayorscharity for details.

Measles is circulating in Salford Have you and your children had two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine?

Measles is very infectious and while most people recover quickly it can leave permanent disability and even kill.

Check your vaccinations with your doctor and if you have symptoms stay home and phone your GP or NHS 111 for advice.

Measles symptoms include: • high fever • sore, red, watery eyes • coughing • aching and feeling generally unwell • a blotchy red brown rash, which usually appears after the initial symptoms.

See www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/ for more information

Make your mark Local elections will be held on Thursday 2 May and voters must be listed on the electoral register by midnight on 12 April to be able to vote.

Registration is free and can be done online www.gov.uk/registertovote There’s free internet access at all Gateway centres and libraries across Salford.

Or register by phone on 0161 793 2500 or in person at Salford Civic Centre, Chorley Road, Swinton with proof of your national insurance number and date of birth.

Applications for postal votes must be received by 15 April. See www.salford.gov.uk/elections for details.

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 7

The Great British Spring Clean is back until 23 April Let’s make Salford sparkle through the Great British Spring Clean.

Last year hundreds of community champions took part, fighting back against those who dump litter in our streets and greenspaces. Can we do it again?

Register your event with Salford City Council at www.salford.gov.uk/communitycleanup so we can provide litter picking tools, gloves and bin bags, collect the rubbish and say a huge thank you for your support.

Register your event with Keep Britain Tidy www.keepbritaintidy.org so others can join in.

Schools go period friendly Salford Citizen’s Advice and Salford City Council are working to get Red Boxes in every school to provide free sanitary products.

Under the scheme girls can ask school staff for the red box and take any items needed. Boxes are kept topped up by community donations.

Deputy City Mayor Councillor Paula Boshell said: “A national survey last year estimated over 137,000 girls missed school because their families couldn’t afford period products. We don’t want any young women to miss opportunities or feel embarrassed.”

Gas, parks and pioneers Salford’s incredible history of ‘firsts’ will be captured in a unique horse and lamp post sculpture in Bexley Square.

Nearby Chapel Street saw the world’s first gas street lighting, England’s first public park, first public library and first city bus service (horse-drawn.) It’s also home to the UK’s only Working Class Movement Library and the University of Salford.

The Bridgewater Canal and famous Salfordians including scientist James Joule, artists L.S. Lowry and Harold Riley, and musicians and actors Peter Hook and the late Albert Finney will be commemorated on the horse to recognise Salford’s achievements and wealth of talent.

The statue will stand outside the former town hall and magistrates court in Bexley Square which has been transformed into apartments. Funding is coming from the developers and a local company will install it for free.

Internationally renowned sculptor Emma Rodgers, who created the sculpture of Cilla Black in Liverpool, will run free workshops from nearby Islington Mills for local people and schools to help create the statue.

Elaine Kenny of Salford Citizen's Advice and Councillor Paula Boshell.

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 8

Developing a fairer and greener city Local plan More affordable housing, apprenticeships and using local suppliers will be key to creating a fairer city, under Salford City Council's revised draft Local Plan.

The document, which went to public consultation earlier this year, sets out detailed planning policies, unique to Salford, on how the city should develop up to 2037.

It proposes all major developments include at least 20 per cent affordable housing, where possible, and as much as 50 per cent if land values allow.

Developers will be asked to continue creating construction and other apprenticeships for local residents and use Salford or Greater Manchester based suppliers as much as possible.

It’s all part of the council’s plans to spread the benefits of growth across the whole city by improving local job prospects and people’s incomes, keeping money in the local economy and tackling housing waiting lists and homelessness.

Alongside this, Salford City Council will continue to work with partners to plan the infrastructure (for example, buildings, roads and power supplies) needed to support a growing city.

Plans include continuing to invest in traffic free cycling and walking routes and public transport such as the highly successful Vantage bus which is now carrying 65,000 people every week, cutting car journeys along the A6.

Keeping it local one year on Nearly 60% of spending by Salford City Council now goes to local suppliers.

More council suppliers pay the Living Wage Foundation hourly rate and the council has recruited eight more apprentices with 55 expected to start later this year.

Salford City Council was one of the first councils in England to show how its spending adds social value. To find out more read Social Impact: One Year On at www.salford.gov.uk/socialvalue

Funding new apprentices Up to £351,000 will be invested in apprenticeships across Salford this year by the council and partner organisations.

The Salford Skills for Business Apprenticeship Fund will create more high quality and sustainable apprenticeships to grow talent in the city.

Organisations can apply for funds for apprenticeship training and help existing employees close skills gaps in key sectors such as health and social care, digital, construction and manufacturing, hospitality, business and professional services.

For more details see www.salford.gov.uk/apprenticeshipfund

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 9

Bringing new life to empty homes

Leaving the EU

Salford City Council has brought thousands of empty homes back into use over the last nine years.

Most empty homes are privately owned and are left unused for reasons ranging from disinterest to lack of refurbishment money.

Council officers work with owners, using government or other funding to get the properties back into use, using legal powers as a last resort.

Many of the homes are now let by social housing partners.

The strategy cut empty properties in Salford from more than 6,200 in 2010 to just over 2,700 in 2017, the fifth highest reduction in England. Local contractors also benefited by around £6 million from the refurbishments. The work is ongoing.

Leaving the European Union will mean changes and the government has launched a website to help people and businesses prepare as best they can.

EU citizens can begin applying for settled status from March, if they wish to continue living and working in Britain. Applications must be made online and there is free internet access and help to get online at every Salford Gateway centre and libraries.

Sadly uncertain times can lead to community tensions but Salford is proud of the wide range of people who make up our amazing city. Hate crime has no place here and there is support available if necessary. Please see www.salford.gov.uk/hatecrime See the government website euexit.campaign.gov.uk

Before

After

Greener city

The council has updated planning guidance for developers on protecting and improving green spaces across the city. It has set out its ambitions to provide three new nature reserves, new parks, play spaces and allotments and invest more than £10 million in bringing existing parks, play spaces nature reserves and other green spaces up to new standards.

Welcome and wellbeing

RHS Garden Bridgewater is planning to make visitors feel good.

Seventy five local people have been ‘prescribed’ volunteering by the NHS to improve their health and are helping to create a wellbeing garden. The garden will offer people with both mental and physical health conditions the chance to connect with plants, gardening and nature and enjoy activities such as music, crafts, nature watching, yoga and meditation. RHS staff and partners will be trained in horticultural therapy as part of the project to benefit more people in future.

Work is also underway on the Welcome Building which will have two dedicated classrooms so around 7,000 local school children a year can visit for free and take part in curriculum-linked workshops with the RHS education team.

The RHS Garden Bridgewater is Europe’s largest garden project and will open in summer 2020.

Greater Manchester plan Salford’s Local Plan links to Greater Manchester’s strategic plan for providing the homes, jobs and green spaces the growing city region needs between now and 2037. It was produced by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and the ten local authorities in the region and went to public consultation earlier this year.

The Greater Manchester plan focuses on making the most of brownfield sites for development, prioritising the redevelopment of town centres and other sustainable locations. Brownfield sites are an area of land in a town or city that was previously used for industry.

It sets a minimum target of 50,000 additional affordable homes, 30,000 of which will be social housing to address the housing crisis, and how transport and other key infrastructure will support development.

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 10

Stop the rot cut the sugar

That’s how you brush!

Children from The Stables Nursery, Swinton show how it’s done.

Half of Salford children start school with tooth decay which could be prevented – twice as many as the national average.

Top tips for good oral health

Having a tooth removed is now the most common reason for young children go into hospital in Greater Manchester.

And ten year olds today have already eaten more sugar in their short lives than an 18 year old.

Those shocking statistics are why Salford City Council is urging parents to pay attention to their children’s teeth and cut back on sugar.

It’s backing the national Change for Life campaign to ‘make a swap when you next shop’.

Making simple everyday swaps can reduce children’s sugar intake by half while giving them healthier versions of the foods and drinks they enjoy.

See www.nhs.uk/change4life for tips and ideas.

The council has also welcomed Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership’s £1.5 million investment in improving access to good quality dental services for 90 per cent of the city’s under-fives and tackling the impact of high sugar diets.

The scheme will train a network of ‘dental champions’ to improve dental care for under-fives while children aged two to five will learn how to brush their teeth and receive supervised tooth brushing daily in their nursery or school.

It’s all about sparing young children pain, sleepless nights and missed days of school which are just some of the consequences of poor dental care.

Treating preventable tooth decay in children across Greater Manchester costs the NHS £20 million every year.

Use the right amount of toothpaste – a smear for under-threes and a pea sized amount for three to six year olds

Make brushing teeth a game and twice a day brushing part of your daily routine Start brushing when your child’s first tooth shows – and help them brush until they’re seven years old

Use family toothpaste with 1350 to 1500 ppm of fluoride, unless your dentist says otherwise Spit, don’t rinse. If you rinse your mouth with water you may wash all the fluoride away Milk or water are the best drinks for teeth and avoid sugary snacks and drinks in between meals

Don’t forget Dental care is free for under-18s and for mums for the first year after their baby is born Visit your dentist before your child is one. They can advise and spot early problems Ask your dentist about fluoride varnish to strengthen your child’s teeth Find a dentist at NHS Choices by visiting www.nhs.uk or call 0300 311 2233.

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 11 City Mayor Paul Dennett with (from left): Grainne Heselwood, Chair of the Board, Salix Homes, Alexander Gardens residents Pretty Mary Zachariah and Abhik Jacob, Councillor Jim King, and Sir David Dalton.

New homes for NHS staff opened in Salford

A flagship housing development by Salix Homes exclusively for NHS workers moving to the area.

Alexander Gardens, Broughton provides affordable homes for doctors, nurses and other clinical staff who work at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust.

Salix Homes teamed up with Salford Royal after the Trust struggled to fill 200 vacancies, partly because of the lack of affordable accommodation.

The new facility was officially opened by Sir David Dalton, Chief Executive of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Group, which runs Salford Royal, alongside Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett and Salix Homes Chief Executive Lee Sugden.

Lee Sugden said: “The site itself has stood empty since the Boxing Day floods in 2015. This partnership with the NHS not only brings an empty building back into use creating desperately needed homes, but also helps our local hospital attract key workers and benefits the whole community.”

Salix Homes spent more than £2 million converting the former sheltered housing complex on Gordon Street into 26 modern, one and two-bedroom apartments.

The project was partially funded by a £780,000 grant from Homes England Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme Among the first residents to move in were nurse Abhik Jacob and his partner Pretty Mary Zachariah.

Abhik who works in Salford Royal’s Emergency Assessment Unit, said: “Finding somewhere affordable to live close to where you work is very difficult, so Alexander Gardens is perfect for us and has made the stress of relocating much easier. We’re enjoying getting to know the area and it’s great that my commute to the hospital only takes 15 minutes on the bus.”

Ian Moston, Chief Finance Officer at the Northern Care Alliance, added: “We hope this venture with Salix Homes is the first of many initiatives where we can collaborate to improve the health and wellbeing of people living and working in Salford.”

Alexander Gardens was devastated by the 2015 floods and the former residents were rehoused. Since then extensive flood resilience measures have been implemented at the site and in the area to help protect against future floods.

Settling in!

Abhik Jacob and Pretty Mary Zachariah with Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 12

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 13

New name,

same great service City West Housing Trust (CWHT) will change its name to ForHousing from 1 April 2019.

Only the name will change. Everything else stays the same. Tenants won’t need to do anything differently and ForHousing keeps its charitable status.

CWHT, Villages Housing Association (VHA) and Villages Community Housing Association (VCHA) - currently all part of the ForViva Group - are being brought together under a single landlord called ForHousing.

Matt Jones, Managing Director of CWHT and Villages Housing Association, said: “Tenants won’t need a new tenancy or lease agreement and will receive the same levels of efficient service delivered by the same friendly faces but the website and letters will be branded ForHousing.

“The move will help to improve services and help us to keep things simple for tenants, staff and stakeholders. We wrote to tenants in January about the new name and will write again when we’ve made the changes. We’ll also remind tenants in communications between now and then."

Tenants will continue to make payments the way they do now, even if they pay online or via an app; the name will just change to ForHousing. The easiest way to manage a tenancy is through the MyAccount+ mobile app.

It’s the fastest way to contact us, report and track repairs - and much more too. Search 'MyAccount+' on the Apple App Store or Play Store on a mobile device to download.

“

Matt Jones: Before making the decision to change our name we sought views from tenants, staff and stakeholders between July and September last year.

We used our websites and Facebook pages as well as putting messages on posters and electronic boards in offices. Staff spoke to tenants and we discussed the plans with stakeholders including local authorities, estate management committees, local MPs and union representatives.

“We remain as committed as ever to involving tenants in reviewing and shaping the services we provide and ensuring that our services are of the highest possible standard.

”

The website www.citywesthousingtrust.org.uk will be kept up to date with more information including questions and answers. From 1 April this site will redirect to a single ForHousing website which reflects tenant needs wherever they live and promotes local events. There will also be one ForHousing email address and the 0300 123 55 22 telephone number will stay the same.

Please email: company.secretary@forviva.co.uk with any comments or questions.

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 14

What’s on There’s so much going on in Salford. See www.mycitysalford.com and www.visitsalford.info for more details. Sign up for the Visit Salford e-newsletter packed with top tips on events and activities going on in the city www.visitsalford.info/e-newsletter

Follow us on social media @visitsalford

Libraries Live Salford Libraries Live brings great arts events to your doorstep. See www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/ live for details.

Save the date!

Look out for the Pink Picnic, Peel Park, Saturday 22 June, the Armed Forces Day parade and Winton Festival on Saturday 29 June and Salford City Council’s Big Day Out family fun day at Swinton on Saturday 14 September.

The Lowry Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ Shows, workshops and fun – see https://thelowry.com/ for the full programme.

The Worst Witch

Makers Markets The Lowry Makers Market

Lowry Outlet, MediaCityUK Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 March, from 11am and Friday 19 April to Monday 22 April, from 11am, free Handmade items and tasty food from local makers.

Walkden Food and Craft Market Walkden town centre, every third Saturday in the month, 10am to 4pm free Over 30 stalls. For more information email info@fabem.co.uk

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Walkden Gateway, 2 Smith Street, M28 3EZ, Friday 12 April, 11am and 2pm, £4 booking required

Everyone's A Star!

Walkden Gateway, 2 Smith Street, M28 3EZ, Monday 20 May 10.30am, £4, booking required.

Crafts and memories of entertainment from the 1950s to 1970s. Part of Dementia Awareness Week.

Learn to draw comics workshop

Height library, King Street, Salford M6 7GY. Saturday, 13 April 11 am and every second Saturday, free, booking required For children aged 6 to 14 years; children under seven must bring an adult.

Working Class Movement Library Ghost hunt Ordsall Hall, Saturday 4 May, 9pm, £65 booking essential at www.hauntedhappenings.co.uk

51 Crescent, Salford, M5 4WX www.wcml.org.uk 29 March to 23 May, Wednesday to Friday, 1pm to 5pm and first Saturday of the month 10am to 4pm, free Exhibition about Sylvia Pankhurst and her campaigning companion Silvio Corio.

Tuesday 26 March to Wednesday 31 March from £20.50, age seven plus.

Songs, music, magic and Mildredinduced-mayhem.

Room on the Broom

Tuesday 2 April to Sunday 7 April, from £17.50 Songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged three plus and their grown-ups.

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap

Monday 13 May to Saturday 18 May, from £22.50 Snowed in country house guests discover one of them is a murder – but which one?

Lookout it’s Saturday Playhouse

Weekly until Saturday 2 April, 11am to 12.30pm, free Art workshop for children and families.

Under Fives First Steps dance sessions

Fridays 10am to 10.45am and 11am to 11.45am, from £2.50 Wriggle, jiggle and jump to explore stories, rhythm, music and dance.

Salford residents can get discount tickets thanks to the Our Lowry scheme. Search thelowry.com for Our Lowry.

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 15

Peel Park The Crescent, Salford M5 4WU

Bioblitz

24 hours recording life in the park, The Meadows and along the River Irwell.

Festival fun Not Quite Light festival

Thursday 28 March to Sunday 31 March, various venues, Salford.

Booking required.

Nearly 30 events from plays to walks, to music, debate and architecture See https://notquitelight.com

Sounds from the Other City

Sunday 5 May, various venues around Chapel Street. Tickets £25 from www.skiddle.com/festivals/ sounds-from-the-other-city/

Cadishead Spring Festival

Cadishead Park, Liverpool Road, M44 5ET, Monday 6 May 10am to 5pm, free Green activities, live music, children’s activities, funfair, food and drink.

See www.facebook.com/ IrlamFestival

Irlam Live 2019

Princes Park, Liverpool Road, M44 6BR Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 June, Tickets from £16.50 https://irlamlive.co.uk Marc Almond, The Christians, Dave Finnegan’s Commitments, Lancashire Hotpots and the Salford Jets and more.

Help Sounds celebrate its 15th year with five stages of live music, art and community activities.

Friday 5 April

Mammal trapping 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

Bat walk 7.30pm to 9pm. Bring your torch if you have one. Moth trapping 9pm to 10pm

Saturday 6 April

Mammal identifying and release 8am to 9am. Bird walk 9am to 10am. River sweep 10am to 3pm with Salford Friendly Anglers. Den building 10am to 3pm. Bug hunting 1pm to 2pm

Storytelling and park trail

£4.50, booking required, Wednesday 10 April 12pm to 1.30pm, Salford Museum and Art Gallery, 2.30pm to 4pm Peel Park Stories and walk inspired by the A-Z collection www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/ culture/salford-museum

Easter trail

Sunday 21 April 11am to 1pm, free Solve the clues around the park to find the Easter bunnies.

Music making Monday 27 May, 6pm to 9pm, Eagle Labs Salford, The Landing, MediaCityUK, Salford, M50 2ST and monthly.

Disabled musicians, technologists, coders and instrument-makers unite to develop accessible musical instruments. labs.uk.barclays/locations/salford

Music, art and cracking cakes Check out Eccles Town Hall’s spring programme for jazz, music, Eccles Community Choir, art exhibitions and their fabulous Saturday café. See ecclestownhall.org for details and booking.

RHS Garden Bridgewater tours Go behind the scenes of Europe’s largest garden project with a 90 minute tour. New dates will be released through 2019. See www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/ bridgewater/tours for full details.

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 16

Jobs, jobs, jobs,

Could you be BetterOff? It only takes a phone call to see if you’re entitled and start a claim – even if you have savings or an occupational pension.

If you’re in a couple and one of you is under pension age then make sure you claim before 15 May this year. After then you’ll claim Universal Credit which will be £130 a week less.

See www.salford.gov.uk/benefits or phone the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234; textphone: 0800 169 0133.

If you’re struggling with money or need help with rent or council tax – BetterOff could help.

There’s free advice and support from Salford City Council and its partners on everything from Universal Credit and where to turn in a financial emergency to how to make your money go further, stop smoking or get online.

Drop into one of our BetterOff coffee and chat sessions between 9.30am and 2.30pm.

• Swinton Gateway 100 Chorley Road, Swinton, M27 6BP on 27 May • Eccles Gateway 28 Barton Lane, Eccles, M30 0TU on 26 March, 30 April and 4 June • Walkden Gateway 2 Smith Street, Walkden, M28 3EZ on 3 April, 8 May and 12 June • Broughton Hub 50 Rigby Street, M7 4BQ on 11 April, 16 May and 20 June • Pendleton Gateway 1 Broadwalk, Salford M6 5FX on 24 May and 28 June Check the website for details and more coffee and chat sessions. www.salford.gov.uk/betteroff

N d help?

Join us for a coff and a chat

Citywide Services, Salford City Council’s cleaning and catering division is recruiting casual workers. No experience required; training will be given.

In return for flexibility and hard work we’ll pay £8.98 per hour and you can progress to permanent part-time posts when available.

Apply at www.greater.jobs or call Citywide on 0161 925 1122.

School crossing patrols wanted!

Salford City Council has vacancies across Salford. Hours are before and after school, full training provided and rate of pay is £9 per hour. See www.greaterjobs for details or call 0161 779 4999.

Seasonal/Casual Marquee riggers wanted!

Salford-based S&S Marquees Ltd is recruiting.

The small marquee and event equipment company works all over the north west and demand is growing.

No previous experience necessary, training will be given. Applicants must be punctual and able to work as part of a team. The work is mainly at weekends, with occasional hours during the week.

For more information email info@snsmarquees.com (include a contact phone number) or call on 0161 819 2912 for a chat.

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 17

Going digital means...

Longer library opening hours

Cadishead library is the first in Salford to use new Open Plus technology to extend opening times from 39 to 57 hours a week.

From 15 April staff will be at the library for 25 hours a week.

During the rest of the time (Open Plus hours) members can take out or return books, use computers with free internet access or just meet and relax in the library.

Local residents were consulted on the best mix of staffed and unstaffed hours.

For more information, visit www.salfordcommunityleisure. co.uk/libraries/locations/cadishead-library

Saving money

If you’re not sure how to get the best from new technology, ask staff at any Salford library. They can help and tell you about IT courses and drop-in sessions in libraries across the city.

Chat Stay in touch with family and friends around the world for free using public wifi. You can use Skype on a computer, mobile phone or tablet and you’ll both need to download the app to avoid charges.

Stay healthy Learn about healthy eating, find new recipes or start that diet – there are loads of websites and recipes online. See BBC Good Food or check out activities in your area from Salford City Council’s health improvement service www.salford.gov.uk/activities Learn something new From languages to photography there are loads of free courses on the internet. Check out Futurelearn or The Open University for ideas.

Could you be a digital champion?

You don’t need to be an expert, just enthusiastic and willing to work with someone to boost their digital skills and confidence. Sessions are held in community venues.

Salford City Council and Good Things Foundation are working together to make sure local people don’t miss out on the amazing benefits of internet access and are able to use services online. Digital Champions are key to that.

To volunteer or ask for help see www.salford.gov.uk/digitalyou call Good Things Foundation on 0114 349 1666 or email hello@Goodthingsfoundation.org

Digital tips Read

'E' stands for easy Already getting some of your council bills by email?

Now you can get council tax e-bills too!

It saves paper and postage meaning the council can spend more on services that matter to you.

And if you sign up to pay your council tax by direct debit you can stop worrying about paying it on time each month and getting into arrears.

Sign up for a direct debit at www.salford.gov.uk/dd and for e-bills at www.salford.gov.uk/ctaxebilling

Your Salford library membership lets you download e-books and audio books and read top magazines, such as Hello!, BBC Good Food, Amateur Photographer, BBC Top Gear and Cosmopolitan.

Make your money go further Make sure you’re getting the best price for insurance, energy, supermarket shopping, books and more by searching online. If you’re struggling with money check out Salford Credit Union for money advice, affordable credit and savings.

Report it online If you need to report a problem to the council, from bins to flytipping, from nuisance off road bikes to concerns about a child, you can do it all online. Just see www.salford.gov.uk/reportit for all the forms you need. It's quick and easy.

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 18

Boost for Little Hulton Work to create a new health and wellbeing centre for the residents of Little Hulton is underway.

The new centre on Longshaw Drive will bring together Dearden Avenue Medical Practice, Manchester Road East Medical Practice, Cherry Medical Practice and Salford Primary Care Together’s Little Hulton practice.

The building will also be home to a number of Salford Royal’s community services and a suite of community specialist health services commissioned by Salford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

The centre should be open for patients and service users in early 2020.

Salford Primary Care Together, a Community Interest Company which brings together GP practices in Salford to work together to improve care for patients, is leading on the development of the new facility.

Chief Executive Dr Neil Turton said: “It’s a much needed development for the area and we’re proud to be playing a role in making it happen. Local residents were able to contribute their thoughts and ideas for what they wanted to see in this building when the CCG and local GP practices started to explore a new facility.

“It is great to now see this centre starting to take shape so local people can benefit from a modern, high quality and accessible new health and wellbeing building on their doorstep.”

For more information, visit www.spctogether.co.uk

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 19

Planning for the future The NHS Long Term Plan sets out the future of the NHS over the next 10 years.

The plan was developed with the input of health and care staff, patient groups and experts and lays out NHS England’s ambitions for a number of key areas, including providing community and out-of-hospital care, staffing, the use of digital technology and NHS finances.

The work of health and care organisations within Salford, including NHS Salford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, is already very closely aligned to the aims of the NHS Long Term Plan. This includes:

Best start in life

Digital future

•

•

•

Salford’s status as a ‘maternity pioneer’ with Wigan and Bolton means we’re leading the way for maternity services, including the development of Ingleside Birth and Community Centre, Greater Manchester’s only freestanding midwife-led birth centre The CCG continues to work closely with Salford City Council to make prevention and early identification of mental health issues in children and young people a priority

Working together •

•

•

Salford has a well-established history of organisations working together to meet the health and care needs of Salfordians by providing services close to their homes wherever possible, rather than having to go to hospital Our Enhanced Care team is made up of a wide range of health and care professionals from different organisations working together to provide targeted support to patients referred to them With health professionals working together in neighbourhoods we can develop a common understanding of the different health needs of each local area and create more integrated services

•

Salford continues to be at the forefront of NHS digital technology. Salford Royal is one of 16 Global Digital Exemplar Trusts The Trust is already trialling new initiatives, including the use of a virtual robot for orthopaedic surgery and video consultations between care home residents and GPs

Dr Tom Tasker, chair of Salford CCG, said: “We know we have more work to do to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Salford and that challenge is at the heart of everything we do.

“The good news is that the priorities set out in the NHS Long Term Plan reinforce a lot of the things we are already doing in Salford - investment in primary care, improving mental health services and working together to provide more care closer to home – so we are heading in the right direction.”

Find out more at www.longtermplan.nhs.uk

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 20

The information in these pages has been provided by members of the community. We try wherever possible to check its accuracy but please confirm details with the organisations involved.

Welcome to our Volunteer and support community pages Events, activities and news from you and your local community.

There are more events promoted on mycitysalford.com

Donations needed Worsley Woods Action Group has launched a £10,000 crowdfunding campaign to rebuild the adventure play area and replace outdated equipment. Search for Worsleywoods at www.justgiving.com or email Worsleywoodsactiongroup2019@outlook.com for details

Road to fun Salford Disabled Motorists’ group is looking for new members. The group enjoys outings, bingo, talks, entertainment and parties and membership is just £7 a year. Please contact secretary Ann Faulkner, tel 0161 789 0264 or 0777 832 9986 for more details.

Warm welcome promised St. Aidan's Church, Littleton Road, Lower Kersal M7 3SE community café is open every Thursday 10.30am to 1pm with free refreshments. Salford Credit Union available 11am to 12 noon for money advice and affordable credit.

Who let the dads out?

Salford dads and male carers with children up to 11 can get a free breakfast, drinks and fun at Kings Church Centre, Bolton Road, Pendlebury M27 8TD on the first Saturday of every month from 10 am to 12 noon.

Activities include a bouncy castle, toddler play, arts and crafts, basketball, badminton, football, karaoke and table tennis. See wholetthedadsoutsalford on Facebook or email salford@kingschurchlife.com or call 07931 625659

Can you help exchange students?

C.H.U.G in Salford mental health and wellbeing support group meets Mondays and Wednesdays 10am to 1pm at the Salford Link project building, Chadwick Road, Eccles M30 0WP for chat, games, arts and crafts and refreshments.

Please contact Steve on 07941 400870 for more information.

Bowlers wanted Eccles Ladies Crown Green bowling team meets April to September at Eccles recreation ground, off Barton Lane, Eccles, Tuesday afternoons at 1pm. All ages welcome. Please contact Christine on 0161 211 3439 or Ann on 0161 789 0264 to join them.

Dancing with Dementia Runs every second Monday in the month, 1pm to 3pm, The Grand Palais, Station Road, Swinton. Free entrance, free hot drink and cake, guest artists and themed events. Donations appreciated. Contact Lesley on 07442 167 208 or email lesley.fisher01@yahoo.co.uk for more details or see www.dancing-with-dementia.co.uk

Ten 16 to 18 year olds and their youth leaders from Lünen, Germany need friendly hosts to help them experience English life.

The group have a full programme planned for their visit but need bed and breakfast accommodation. Hosts will be invited to a thank you reception. The visit is planned from 26 or 27 July to 9 or 10 August depending on flights. Please contact salfordtwinning@gmail.com

Arty welcome promised Salford Art Club is looking for new members. The club meets from 5.45pm to 7.45pm every Wednesday at Salford Museum and Art Gallery, The Crescent, Salford M5 4WU. Membership is £25 per year and £1 for demonstration evenings, speakers or workshops. You can try it free before you pay. See Salford Art Club website www.salfordartclub. com for more information or follow them on Facebook

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 21

Coaching at the Cornerstone

Celebrating the Bridgewater Canal Prints, ceramics, jewellery and crafts to celebrate the women of the Bridgewater Canal are now on sale at Salford Museum and Art Gallery

The collection includes plant dyed textiles commemorating Victorian women’s canal-side ‘flower parties’, jewellery inspired by chain fastenings worn by women mine workers and prints from historic crocheted items used aboard canal boats.

Est.1761, the project reviving the 4.9 mile stretch of the canal in Salford commissioned lead artist Sally Gilford and Salford Makers of Islington Mill, to create the collection called Who’s That Girl?

Brazil meets Salford this July in the Precarious Carnaval to celebrate the Bridgewater Canal’s 258th birthday.

Volunteers are needed to help plan, create and deliver a spectacular weekend.

To volunteer email precariouscarnaval@salford.gov.uk or see www.est1761.org for details of events.

Langworthy Cornerstone’s wellbeing team can help you improve your health and fitness, learn new skills and find support services. They offer one to one coaching for beating low mood, weight issues, social isolation, smoking and alcohol issues for anyone living in Langworthy, Ordsall, Seedley, Claremont or Weaste. The centre on Liverpool Street, Salford also has a wide variety of activities and the Chimney Pot cafe. Pop in or see www.langworthycornerstone. co.uk, call 0161 212 4400 or pop in.

Can you help?

Childline is available 365 days a year to support children and young people, whatever their concern.

Childline is based in Salford Quays and is recruiting for volunteers to answer calls, chats and emails from children and young people.

No previous experience necessary and all training is provided. Contact childlinemanchestervolunteer@ NSPCC.org.uk or call 0161 393 4407 for more information.

Link up with history Look out for Salford Link, the city’s heritage magazine.

Produced by community volunteers with local people’s articles about Salford’s rich heritage.

The June issue will focus on Walkden, Irlam’s Kinder wallpaper factory, Peterloo, Salford Histories Festival and the Frank Mullineux Local History Award.

Copies are available at Gateway Centres or Salford Museum and Art Gallery, for £3 or by post for £8 for two issues and postage.

Contact Link@FriendsofSalfordMuseums.org for more information.

Contributions are always welcome.

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 22

Back in business Worsley Leisure Centre is back in business after a £1.4 million facelift – and even more popular than ever.

The centre has been transformed to be fit for the 21st century as part of Salford City Council’s £35 million plan to develop leisure centres across the city and boost health and wellbeing.

Worsley Baths opened in 1937 with a 25-yard pool, Turkish steam baths and an aerotone therapeutic bath, an early type of Jacuzzi. In 1974 a large main pool was added to the original building and in 2007 a new gym was created.

In the latest update, a new first floor has been added to house a modern gym complete with state of the art equipment including cardio kit with a touchscreen virtual courses, a dedicated weights area, HIIT Zone and Rig equipment.

There’s now more space for exercise classes as a large, multi-purpose studio has replaced the lower ground floor gym and a new, open plan reception area has been created to welcome people to the centre.

The centre offers gym, classes, swimming, swimming lessons, gymnastic and dance sessions, children’s parties and a café.

For more information and to find the right membership for you visit www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk/sport or call 0161 790 2084.

Don’t skip your smear test Women aged 25 to 64 are being urged not to skip smear tests and risk developing cervical cancer.

The free test can detect abnormal cell changes in the cervix (neck of the womb) that, without treatment, could develop into cervical cancer.

Nationally nine women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every day. Three quarters of cases are preventable and yet only one in four women keeps up with regular smear tests.

If your GP has invited you for a smear please don’t delay. Book your appointment now. You can have it done by a female nurse or doctor and if you’re unsure about anything ask for a pre-screening discussion with the nurse or doctor.

If you have lower back pain, bleeding during or after sex or in between periods, pain during sex, postmenopausal bleeding or unusual vaginal discharge you should make an appointment to see your GP as soon as possible.

See www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening for more information.

Fully furnished studio apartments St James Close Vicarage Close, Salford, M6 8EQ Close to Salford Royal Hospital and public transport Winstanley Close Acresfield Road, Salford, M6 7EZ Near good transport links and local shops

Applicants for these properties must be Salford residents - with a preference for those aged 60 plus.

The properties are newly decorated, with fitted carpets, window furnishings, cooker and fire and are in move-in condition. They attract housing benefit for eligible applicants.

Contact The Humphrey Booth housing charity, telephone 0161 736 2989 for details.

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 23

Help us get back together A six year old Salford girl is appealing for someone to reunite her with her brother and sister.

Annie* currently lives apart from her sister Jamie*, aged nine, and brother Henry*, 11 – and is desperate to get back together with them.

The children see each other at school and have sleepovers but the three siblings need a long-term foster care family so they can all be together.

Salford City Council is appealing for help for them and hundreds of other children who need foster care placements for a variety of reasons.

Annie is intelligent, active, very confident and chatty. She loves school, swimming, Rainbows, Cinderella and playing out on her scooter. She likes arts and craft, enjoys reading and has lots of friends.

Jamie is also very chatty, confident, funny and affectionate. She likes playing board games, colouring and painting. She likes to keep busy and particularly enjoys Brownies, swimming and choir practice. She loves school but needs a little bit of extra help.

Henry’s current foster carer says he’s a pleasure to look after. He likes playing board games but really enjoys being outdoors, going for bike rides and playing football. He also loves Scouts, swimming and choir practice, really enjoys school and has lots of friends.

All three children are close and are excited about being together.

Salford City Council is looking for foster carers with space for all three children who can look after them until they are at least 18. The girls may be able to share a bedroom The carers will need to provide a loving and nurturing environment and encourage and support each child’s individual needs. Ideally they need two carers but applications from single people will be considered.

Why foster for Salford City Council?

When you foster for Salford City Council you’re part of the family.

You get an allowance with extra for Christmas and birthdays, regular training, on-going support, an experienced foster carer buddy, 24/7 support – and the joy of seeing children flourish and develop.

Our foster carers reflect Salford – all ages, races, faiths and none, single, married, same sex couples, working or not. All you need is space in your home and heart.

Call 0161 799 1268 to help Annie, Jamie and Henry – or dozens of other Salford children who need you or see www.salford.gov.uk/fostering

*Names have been changed, but these are real children who need a loving home.

Join the panel The Fostering Panel helps recruit and assess foster carers and is looking for new members.

Anyone is welcome but if you have a background in health, education, have recent or current experience of fostering or were a looked after child, we particularly want to hear from you.

You need good communication skills and to be available regularly. We provide training and a £75 allowance per panel.

Email our panel advisor martin.sadler@salford.gov.uk or call 0161 686 7852 for full details.

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 24

Reduce your risk Vascular dementia is a common type of dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain.

Salford Clinical Commissioning Group and Salford City Council’s new campaign aims to help people aged 55 and over to make changes and reduce the risk.

Stop smoking

Eat healthily

•

•

Smoking increases the risk of blood clots, narrows your arteries and raises blood pressure increasing your chance of having a heart attack, stroke and of developing vascular dementia.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet can reduce your chances of developing vascular dementia and keep your weight, cholesterol and blood pressure under control.

Drink less alcohol

Exercise regularly

•

•

Drinking alcohol can cause high blood pressure. To reduce your risk men and women should not have more than the recommended maximum of 14 units of alcohol per week.

One unit is a single measure of spirits or half a pint of lager; a 250 ml glass of wine contains three units.

Exercising regularly (preferably five times a week for 30 minutes a day) keeps your brain and body fit and makes you feel good.

For more information see www.salfordccg.nhs.uk/vascular-dementia

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 25

Be bowel cancer aware April is Bowel Cancer Awareness month, raising awareness of the symptoms and screening for bowel cancer.

Bowel cancer affects the large bowel, made up of the colon and rectum. The cells in your body normally divide and grow in a controlled way but, when cancer develops, the cells change. Most bowel cancers develop from precancerous growths, called polyps, although not all polyps develop into cancer.

Symptoms to watch for • Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo • Persistent/unexplained change in bowel habit • Unexplained weight loss • Extreme tiredness • A pain/lump in your stomach Most people with these symptoms don’t have bowel cancer but, if you do experience them, tell your GP.

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

Someone is diagnosed every 15 minutes What do you know about bowel cancer?

Find out more at

bowelcanceruk.org.uk

@Bowel_Cancer_UK

/charitybcuk

Registered charity number 1071038 (England & Wales) and SC040914 (Scotland) and a company limited by guarantee number 3409832

You are more at risk if you have one or more of the following.

• Are aged over 50 • A strong family history of bowel cancer • A history of non-cancerous growths (polyps) in your bowel • Long standing inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis • Have Type 2 diabetes • An unhealthy lifestyle Some of these are things you can’t do anything about, e.g age and genetics. But you can make changes to your lifestyle to lower your risk of bowel cancer.

Screening can save lives

Screening can detect bowel cancer at an early stage, when treatment has the best chance of working.

If you are aged between 60 and 74, you will be invited to take part in bowel cancer screening every two years.

If you are 75+, you can ask for a screening test by calling the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60.

The NHS website, www.nhs.uk also has more information.

Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) mental health champions needed Are you interested in mental health and wellbeing and want to learn more about how to signpost people to the right help and support?

Can you spare half a day per month between April 2019 and March 2020?

10 free places available Accredited training No experience necessary You could be part of a BAME community or work with third sector

organisations which have contact with BAME communities in Salford.

People in BAME communities experience high levels of mental health and stigma and don’t always know how, or where, to seek help. You will help to break down the barriers and help people get the support they need.

You will also act as expert advisors to health and care services in Salford on a range of issues.

To find out more, email Linzi Brook at SALCCG.involve@nhs.net

Community projects scoop share of £90,000 More than £90,000 has been ploughed into community projects and good causes in Salford during the past year thanks to Salix Homes.

More than 100 local groups and projects received a much-needed cash boost through Salix Homes’ Springboard fund during 2018.

The community grant programme enables Salford-based organisations or initiatives to bid for funding to help support projects that boost community spirit, improve the environment, reduce isolation and promote health and wellbeing.

During the past 12 months, grateful recipients have included dance troupes, grassroots football teams, bowlers, computer clubs and community gardening projects.

For many like Lower Kersal Young People and Community Group (LKYPCG) the funding has proved a lifeline.

The LKYPCG charity, which provides activities and opportunities for hundreds of people across Salford, secured £900 for its Soil and Shed project at Kersal Vale Allotments, which brings together veterans in Salford.

Thomas Lever MBE who runs the group, said: “Ex-servicemen and women can often feel very isolated after leaving the forces, so Soil and Shed is the perfect place for them to socialise and reconnect with the armed forces community.

“The Springboard funding makes a big difference to projects like ours and helps us to keep going.”

Other recipients included talented Salford dancers who secured £1,200 to help them realise their dreams and dance on the world stage at the Dance World Cup in Barcelona where they picked up a silver medal.

Top: Springboard supported these Salford dancers to compete in the Dance World Cup where they scooped a silver medal. Top right: Albert Park Bowling Club received funding to purchase new team kit. Bottom right: The Soil and Shed project for veterans has benefited from the Springboard fund.

2019 entries

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 26

Springboard is now open for 2019, so if you’re a community group struggling for funding or an individual with a great idea to improve your neighbourhood, then apply now.

To find out more about how to apply for a Springboard grant, go to www.salixhomes.org/ springboard or call 0800 218 2000.

Sue Sutton, Executive Director of operations at Salix Homes, said: “The scope of projects we’ve supported over the past year has been farreaching and we are incredibly proud to hand over this welldeserved money which has helped sustain projects and initiatives that are making a real difference in our communities."

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 27

Joan Lestor House in Little Hulton

From hostel to social housing Work is underway to transform a former women’s hostel into much-needed social housing.

Joan Lestor House on Ellesmere Street, Little Hulton, has stood empty for more than five years, becoming a target for anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

Salix Homes bought the site last year and is now converting it into nine modern, one and two bedroom apartments for social housing rent.

Lee Sugden, Chief Executive at Salix Homes, said: “We are delighted to start work at Joan Lestor House. It’s such a shame to see these sorts of buildings left to go to rack and ruin when, for a little investment, they could be transformed into housing.

Salix Homes’ Jonathan Drake chats to Matt Allwright in The Empty Housing Scandal.

“We desperately need more of the right types of homes that people can afford and our investment at Joan Lestor House will bring nine, modern homes to the social housing market at a time when there isn’t nearly enough social housing being built.

“We are also confident that the local community will be relieved to see this abandoned site, which has become a real eyesore in the area, finally occupied and given a new lease of life.”

The £800,000 project has been partially funded thanks to a £234,000 grant from Homes England Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme.

Joan Lestor House, which was originally named after the Labour MP Baroness Lestor of Eccles, was built in 1999 and provided a refuge for single homeless women until it closed down.

Work is now underway on site and is expected to be complete by this summer.

Salix Homes’ efforts to bring to life empty buildings across Salford has recently been featured in a new BBC1 documentary series covering Britain’s empty homes crisis.

The Empty Housing Scandal, presented by Matt Allwright, features several projects by Salix Homes to bring empty buildings back into use as a positive example of what can be done to tackle the housing crisis.

Joan Lestor House is featured in the programme along with projects to repurpose empty shops and a derelict pub into much-needed affordable housing.

The programme can be viewed online.

Search www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer for The Empty Housing Scandal (episodes 3 and 4)

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 28

Different kind of highway

Urban Vision’s highway engineers go off-road.

Lately they’ve been turning their attention to something completely different to highways - Salford’s 27 kilometre traffic-free network of walking and cycling routes.

Many of the routes have been created from former railway lines and Urban Vision's highways team and landscape architects have been designing and delivering improvements to the network and signage on behalf of Salford City Council.

“The looplines, as they are known, provide an impressive network of quiet, traffic free paths to help people get to work, keep fit or just enjoy green spaces in Salford,” said Daniel Sterry, landscape architecture group leader at Urban Vision.

Urban Vision's team was asked to improve and widen many of the routes as part of the council's aims to encourage more use. This joint work won a national award from the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation in the north west environmental and best practice categories.

One idea was to use a ‘green’ material partly made from recycled tyres for comfort and widen many of the paths to three metres so they can be shared by walkers, cyclists and people using wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

Some of the routes are sunk into old railway cuttings so step-free access isn’t possible, but the steps have been made as user friendly as possible and flat access points improved. New pedestrian and cycle friendly road crossings have been installed where necessary and new signs. The team even turned their hand to planting trees to finish off their handiwork.

Meet the looplines Roe Green loopline runs from Monton to Salford’s border with Bolton and was formerly a colliery rail line. You can see Monton’s lighthouse on the Bridgewater Canal near the start, the former platforms of Worsley station and visit Worsley Woods or Worsley village .

Roe Green connects to the Tyldesley loopline and the Ellenbrook loopline which link to the Leigh guided busway and the A580.

The Linnyshaw loopline, from Walkden to Little Hulton used to be a horse-drawn tramway. Now it gives easy access to Blackleach country park, based around a reservoir which used to supply the Duke of Bridgewater’s mines at Worsley. It’s a walking, picnicking and wildlife haven with over 100 species of birds. www.salford.gov.uk/cycling

Life in Salford 24 • March 2019 29

What’s on in 2019 Holidays from £99 Aintree Grand National 6 April Salfordian Elvis – Viva Las Vegas 26 to 29 April Southport Food and Drinks Festival 31 May Salfordian Fun in the 60s 19 to 26 June ••• *More transport options for 2019* Door to door transport is now available for: Monday to Friday holidays Wednesday to Wednesday holidays Friday to Monday holidays

Group bookings welcome • Wheelchair access • Wet room • All types of functions catered for  0161 925 1233 (office hours)  01704 538810 (out of hours)   salfordian@salford.gov.uk  www.salford.gov.uk/salfordian Reg. No. 3438263. Registered as a charity. Reg. No 1071111

THE

GLASS HOUSE AT

WORSLEY

NEWLY LAUNCHED MODERN RESTAURANT

15% OFF Available on our contemporary dining experience.

Present this voucher to redeem your discount.* The Glass House at Worsley is run by our dedicated Hospitality & Culinary Arts students at Worsley College under the supervision of their expert teachers who have worked in some of the best known hotels and restaurants in the country.

OUR CONTEMPORARY DINING EXPERIENCE INCLUDES: DELICIOUS 2 or 3 COURSE LUNCHES from £7.00 - £10.00 SUMPTUOUS AFTERNOON TEA DELIGHTS from £5.00 - £8.00 MODERN CONTEMPORARY 3 COURSE EVENING MEALS from £10.00 - £12.00

WORSLEYCOLLEGE SALFORD CITY COLLEGE ARE IN THE TOP ROAD 7% OF COLLEGES WALKDEN | WORSLEYNATIONALLY | M28 7QD FOR ACHIEVEMENT RATES* *SOURCE: DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION PERFORMANCE TABLES FOR GFE COLLEGES *Must be used before 31 May 2019. Book online at theglasshouse.salfordcc.ac.uk

Photo: Alina Pogostkina and credit photographer Nikolaj Lund

Experience the BBC Philharmonic for £3 Two exclusive offers for Salford residents Next month, experience two great evenings at The Bridgewater Hall with the BBC Philharmonic.

On 6 April, brilliant young violinist Alina Pogostkina takes on Prokofiev’s frantic, romantic and edgily modern First Violin Concerto in between Thomas Adès’s elegant homage, Three Studies from Couperin, and Schubert’s Ninth Symphony – great in both size and nature.

Then join the orchestra and conductor Sir Andrew Davis on 25 April for two symphonies by 20thcentury pioneers: Sibelius’s lucid, translucent Sixth and Stravinsky’s Symphony in C written, in his own words, ‘to the glory of God’. Also a Tippett masterpiece for solo piano and orchestra with Steven Osborne taking centre stage.

Salford residents can enjoy an exclusive ticket offer of £3 stalls tickets for both concerts. Numbers are limited so do book early. Contact The Bridgewater Hall and quote SALFORD6 when booking for 6 April and SALFORD25 when booking for 25 April.

Phone 0161 907 9000 or book online at www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk Find the BBC Philharmonic on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit bbc.co.uk/philharmonic

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