Life in Salford magazine issue 27

INSIDE Great progress on housing pg. 4-5

Have your say on buses pg. 7

Foster a teenager?

Salfordian hotel breaks

pg. 25

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...

Help us help you stay well this winter pg. 14-17

Bring the baby pg. 13

Delivering change, one brick at time pg. 18-19

Cover image: City Mayor Paul Dennett studies plans for affordable housing as he is filmed for a tv documentary 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 November 2019. Printing: APS Group. 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

Are you being abused or neglected? pg. 24

Salix Homes furniture recycling success pg. 27

ON THE COVER

IN THIS ISSUE

4-5 Great progress on housing 7 Have your say on buses 25 Foster a teenager?

29 Salfordian hotel breaks

7 Don't miss your chance

to vote 8 Bridgewater Canal facelift complete 12 Free legal advice 20 New role for Lance 27 Protect your children 29 Community safety responses 31 Pendleton College open event

REGULARS 3 City Mayor's column 10 What's on 22 Community news 29 BBC Philharmonic for £3 offer

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 27 • November 2019 3

Working to make Salford better and fairer As your City Mayor, I have made no secret that times are difficult in local government. We have lost 60p in every £1 of our funding since 2010 at the same time as demand for our social care services has increased.

We hope to avoid major cuts in budgets this year after careful financial management and changing the way we work. But this will depend on the final outcome of government funding announcements.

Times may be challenging, but we are focused on keeping Salford moving, growing and getting better and fairer. Providing affordable housing is a key priority to meet demand and tackle our housing waiting list.

We have looked at new ways of providing housing for social rents through Dérive and building new council housing (see page 4 and 5 for details.)

We are also tackling rough sleeping. Rates have increased by a staggering 487% in Greater Manchester since 2010.

To counter this in our city, £1.5m has been provided from Greater Manchester for our trailblazing A Bed Every Night scheme guaranteeing accommodation for anyone sleeping rough in the city. This money will help significantly to keep homeless people safe and warm, especially as we move into winter.

People in all walks of life are struggling. Over the summer holidays Salford City Council provided over 3,000 children with food vouchers to keep ‘holiday

hunger’ at bay. Many of these vouchers were for children of working parents who are finding it hard to provide the basics.

Hardship is an increasing issue for residents not just in Salford but across the country. At your council we are targeting support and introducing new reductions in council tax for people who truly can’t afford to make ends meet.

Your council is also working hard to tackle the issues important to you and we have secured £300,000 to invest in reducing youth crime including mentoring and coaching for all young people serving a custodial sentence.

We’re also combating the climate change crisis, one of the greatest challenges facing the global community.

After announcing a climate crisis earlier this year, the council has committed to a city target of carbon neutrality by 2038 and, as a council, eradicating avoidable single use plastics by 2024.

We have invested over £1.5 million in carbon reduction schemes with a further £2.5 million scheduled next year. Friends of the Earth recently declared Salford the most climate-friendly council in the north west which was a real boost. This is a great recognition of our achievements, but we are not complacent.

We continue to focus on the best for our residents and the future of our city.

City Mayor, Paul Dennett

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 4

Great progress on housing

Key milestone for affordable homes Salford City Council’s new housing company Dérive has opened the door to its first 20 tenants.

The two and three bedroom homes at Riverbank View, Charlestown were bought off plan from Keepmoat Homes to provide affordable homes for people in Salford. They are part of a 421 home scheme, a fifth of which (85) are affordable.

Dérive has an option to buy another 22 homes at the final stage of development which is awaiting planning permission.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “It is fantastic news and I hope tenants have many happy years in their new community. These 20 affordable homes will not solve our national housing crisis, but we are doing all we can to help local people.”

Councillor John Merry, a director of Dérive, said: “We started Dérive with £2 million of money from developers in the absence of any government support, to meet the needs of local people who are desperate for affordable homes.”

Councillor Tracy Kelly, a Dérive director and lead member for housing and neighbourhoods, added: "Each year we have a shortfall of 613 affordable homes to meet current needs. Dérive is part of the solution to addressing that demand."

New Salford council homes Salford City Council will build 101 new council homes after securing £7.7 million grant funding from Homes England.

The properties will all be available at social rent, starting at £74 per week for a one bed apartment and the build will provide local jobs and training opportunities.

Work will start in spring next year and the homes will be ready in 2021, providing a mix of one and two bed apartments and two to four bedroomed houses. They will be built on brownfield, council-owned sites in Clifton, Seedley and Ordsall.

The remainder of the scheme will be funded by £5.1 million of borrowing from the council's Housing Revenue Account after City Mayor Paul Dennett lobbied the government to lift borrowing restrictions.

Mayor Dennett said: “These council homes are part of our plans which include Dérive and working with our housing partners.

“We are exploring every avenue possible to increase supply, including bringing back into use empty homes, converting low demand commercial properties into residential homes in the city and building new homes.”

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 5

Sixty three successes and counting Bed every night continues Hundreds of homeless Salford people will continue to benefit from Greater Manchester’s unique scheme A Bed Every Night.

It provides a bed, a warm welcome and personal support for anyone sleeping rough and helped over 2,000 people in its first year. Nearly 700 people moved on to long-term accommodation.

Another £6 million funding will provide 400 places across Greater Manchester until June 2020, including women-only spaces, provision for couples, dogs and people with complex needs. Front-line staff and volunteers will be trained to help people get health services.

See www.bedeverynight.co.uk for how you can donate your time, goods or money to organisations which support people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless across Salford and Greater Manchester.

Salford City Council’s rough sleepers team has helped 63 people off the streets and into their own homes in its first year.

Six outreach workers are on the streets every day covering the whole city.

Their work complements the A Bed Every Night scheme which accommodates around 115 people a night, helping them with long-term support.

City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “Some of the rough sleepers we have helped wouldn’t even speak to our staff at first. Others insisted they were fine sleeping rough and refused any help at all while some were only too glad to get off the streets that very evening.

“No matter how long it takes to engage with them, our teams won’t give up. We have 30 flats, shared houses across Greater Manchester, eight emergency beds and use bed and breakfasts and hotels, on top of 30 beds at the Narrowgate shelter which is open all day. We’ve even moved a group of people from the shelter into a shared house after they became friends while staying there.

“We don’t just put people under a roof and expect them to cope. Our support workers will refer them to any health care they need and go with them to appointments if need be. We will help them anyway we can with furniture, finances, identity documents or education and training."

Councillor Tracy Kelly, lead member for housing, said: “What makes Salford unique is that all our housing and neighbourhood workers pull together as a team.

“We also have great support from a range of housing associations and local charities. If someone asks for help we will work to break down any barriers to finding them accommodation and the support they need to prevent them sleeping rough. Please contact us.”

Contact us for help and advice:

A warm welcome at the Narrowgate night shelter

In person - call at Salford Housing Options Point, 7 Wesley Street, Swinton, M27 6AD, 8.30am to 4.30pm on Monday to Friday (1.30pm to 4. 30pm on Tuesdays) or Salford Loaves and Fishes, Paddington Close, Pendleton on Mondays, Wednesdays or Thursdays 8am to 2pm (general advice)

Thursdays 10am to 12 noon (housing advice).

Online - see www. salford.gov.uk/housing for details.

For emergency help out of hours call 0161 794 8888.

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 6

City of Salford

Buile Hill Park Hall New Year’s Eve 2019

Gala Dinner and Disco Featuring performances by specially invited guests including musicians from the BBC Philharmonic.

New Year’s Eve 6.30pm to 1am dinner and disco (bar until 12.30am) £48

Wednesday 11 December 2019 at Cathedral Church of St John the Evangelist, 250 Chapel Street, Salford M3 5LL Tickets available at www.salford.gov.uk/carolservice

Book now

festive hotline tel: 0161 793 3670

www.salford.gov.uk/festiveseason Buile Hill Park Hall, Eccles Old Road, Salford, M6 8GL

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 7

Have your say on how Greater Manchester buses are run Buses are vital for our future.

They’re used for three-out-of-four public transport journeys and thousands of people depend on them but bus use is still falling.

Currently in Greater Manchester, individual bus companies decide the routes, timetables, tickets and standards. The public sector pays to fill in gaps in provision where it can.

It’s hard to make buses work together or with other public transport and the fares and tickets available can be confusing.

We now have a chance to do buses differently. Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is proposing a franchising scheme for the whole of Greater Manchester.

Bus services would be under Greater Manchester’s control. GMCA would set the routes, timetables, tickets and standards, while the bus operators would run the services. Buses would work better as part of Our Network, Greater Manchester’s vision for a joined-up transport system.

GMCA wants to hear your views as part of their public consultation. It doesn’t matter if you’re a regular bus passenger or rarely use the buses, everyone’s views are important.

Have your say at www.gmconsult.org If you want to respond in a different way, or require the consultation materials in a different format, please contact  gmbusconsultation@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk or call  0161 244 1100.

Don’t miss your chance to vote

How to register to vote Earlier this year we sent the household enquiry form to every home in Salford If you’ve not yet replied, you just have time to respond online or by post to be included in the updated electoral register published in December.

The deadline to register to vote in the general election on Thursday 12 December is midnight on Tuesday 26 November.

Online - After December, registering to vote is easily done online at www.salford.gov.uk/registertovote as the register is updated every month. Or you can register at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

If you want a postal vote you will need to register by 5pm on Tuesday 26 November.

If you want a proxy vote (someone else to vote on your behalf) you must contact us by 5pm on Wednesday 4 December If you’re not registered to vote you can’t have your say in this election to choose a member of parliament to represent you at national level.

You may have moved into Salford recently, just reached 18 years old or not previously registered to vote. Don't miss your chance to have your say.

Find out more at www.salford.gov.uk/voting

In person - you can call at Salford Civic Centre, Chorley Road, Swinton, M27 5DA Write - to the electoral services team, Salford Civic Centre, Swinton, Chorley Road, Swinton, M27 5DA Email - elections@salford.gov.uk to get a registration form.

Please check your polling card for your polling station – due to the short notice for the General Election it may not be the same location as the local elections

Make your mark

IN Salford

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 8

£5.5 million Bridgewater Canal facelift complete Worsley Delph was the birthplace of Britain’s first canal and a catalyst for the Industrial Revolution.

Work is now complete to improve the appearance of the site, to make it easier for visitors to access and help residents and visitors fully appreciate its role in history.

It is the culmination of a £5.5 million physical regeneration of the Salford stretch of the Bridgewater Canal funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Salford City Council, Bridgewater Canal Company and other partners.

A new multi-level viewing platform has been installed to improve access to the site and offer panoramic views across the Delph island. Specially-made features help tell the story of the Delph’s past as a gateway to an extensive network of underground coal mines and the starting point for Britain’s first ‘true’ canal in 1761. This includes a sculptural representation of the primitive crane that towered over the island during the Delph’s early life as a quarry.

One of the sluice gates between the Delph and an entrance to the underground mines has been restored and the site itself is now strikingly lit up from dusk.

There are also new artworks, including a replica mine cart full of coal and a copy of the original Act of Parliament from 1759 that set the canal system in motion.

In Nailmaker’s Basin, across Worsley Road Bridge, new seating and interpretive paving has been installed.

Alphabet Bridge, the Bridgewater Canal’s smallest bridge has also been restored. The bridge’s 26 planks have been used by generations of school children to help learn their alphabet as they crossed it to reach nearby St Mark’s school.

Councillor David Lancaster, lead member for environment and community safety, said the work would help new generations to fully appreciate the canal’s rich history.

Our garden is growing fast

See developments by following @rhsbridgewater or see www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/bridgewater

Work is now speeding up at the RHS Garden Bridgewater which is scheduled to open next year.

Supported by Salford City Council and Peel Land and Property, the garden has already created jobs, apprenticeships, training and volunteering opportunities for local people. It is Europe’s biggest gardening project: • 35,000 cubic metres of soil moved for landscaping • 200 flower beds in the walled garden • Over 100,000 plants will be planted on site – over 27,000 of them and 1,000 different species just in the Paradise garden • 500 new trees including 31 beehive shaped beech trees • The new lake at 4,700 square metres, is the size of an Olympic athletics track

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 9

Need help finding an apprenticeship?

Whether you’ve just finished school, college or training, or are currently in work but looking for a career change then an apprenticeship could be for you so you can earn as you learn.

Join Salford City Council’s apprenticeship recruitment pool, a free matching service which helps residents to find the right apprenticeship and employers to find the right candidate.

If you’re looking for an apprenticeship you can benefit from help and support with: • CV writing and interview skills • Making successful applications to showcase your skills, • experience and knowledge • Contacting employers to arrange work trials • Training in areas such as business, ICT, construction, leisure and fitness, health and social care or retail • And you get regular bulletins about new vacancies across different sectors To join the recruitment pool or to advertise a vacancy, please email skillsandwork@salford.gov.uk

Or are you looking for an apprentice?

If you run a small or medium sized business we can help you find the right apprentice and provide financial support for training.

Our Salford Skills for Business Apprenticeship Fund is available to help employ an apprentice or support your existing workforce with professional development.

See www.salford.gov.uk/apprenticeshipfund for details.

Centre for the future

Thanks for your comments Over 600 comments from public consultation on Salford’s Revised Draft Local Plan are now online at www.salford.gov.uk/localplan The plan sets out a strategy for how Salford will develop over the next 20 years. It links to and complements the delayed Greater Manchester planning strategy (the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework).

The Local Plan sets out policies on managing development and the designation of areas of the city for uses such as recreation.

Work on a second part of the Local Plan will allocate land and buildings for development. This will not start until mid-2021 as the council will need to wait for progress with the Spatial Framework.

This will decide on the scale of growth and green belt boundaries and set targets for providing new housing in Salford.

EU settlement scheme Please remind your neighbours and friends who are EU nationals living and working in Salford that they may need to apply online to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after Brexit.

There is free internet access and help to get online at every Salford Gateway centre and libraries or help with applications from any branch of Citizen’s Advice across Greater Manchester or or ex-pats support charity Europia.

See www.salford.gov.uk/leavingeu for details.

Plans for a new centre for intelligent automation and robotics at the University of Salford have been given the go ahead.

Intelligent automation brings together the technology of artificial intelligence and automation allowing businesses to improve and control processes. The 23,000 sq ft centre will provide automotive, robotics and manufacturing laboratories and teaching space for university experts to work with local companies.

The University has been home to the National Advanced Robotics Research Centre since 1987.

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 10

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

Celebrate Christmas fun Claremont, Weaste and Seedley Homewatch group Ode to Christmas

Saturday 30 November, 12 noon to 3pm, free. Buile Hill Park Hall, Buile Hill Park, Eccles Old Road, Salford.

Contact Gail 0785 2821963 for more information.

Holy Angels Church Christmas fair

Saturday 30 November, 2pm to 5pm. Moorfield Road, Irlams o'th' Height.

Carols by Candlelight

Sunday 8 December 8pm.

St Philip’s church, 2 Wilton Place, Salford M3 6FT. www.saintphilips.org.uk

Christmas wreath making workshop

Saturday 7 December, 2pm .

St. Thomas's church, Ford Lane, Pendleton.

Materials provided, small charge for materials used. Children welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.

Wed, 11 Dec, 5.30pm to 7pm.

Salford Museum and Art Gallery, The Crescent, M5 4WU, £8.

Make tree decorations, all materials provided. Booking essential. www.salfordmuseum.com and search for tree.

Peter Pan and the Panto League at The Lowry

Makers market

Saturday, 7, 14 and 21 December, 10am to 7pm.

Sunday, 1, 8, 15 and 22 December, 11am to 5pm.

The Piazza, The Lowry Outlet Mall, M50 3AH. Buy your Christmas gifts and treats and support local makers. Enjoy music and performance as you browse the finest local food, drink, art, design.

Craft social

Christmas Cracker

Sunday 8 December, 12 noon to 5pm. Light Oaks Park, Claremont Road, M6 8NP. Carols, mince pies, mulled wine, Santa’s Grotto and Christmas fun.

Fun for children

Friday 3 to Sunday 5 January 2020.

Times 7. 30pm (Friday and Saturday), 3pm (Saturday and Sunday), 11am (Sunday).

Tickets £12, £10 concessions from https://thelowry.com (search panto).

Celebrate 50 years of Barton Theatre Company. Watch as Peter Pan, Snow White and others battle to save Pantoland from the baddies.

After school Term time Monday Club

St. Aidan's church, Littleton Road, Lower Kersal. Free.

Crafts, games, cooking and more for three to six year olds 4pm to 6pm.

Tiny tots ramble

Every Friday, 10.15am to 11.30am, free. Meet at Clifton Country Park visitor centre cafe, Clifton House Road, Swinton M27 6NG. Puddle jumping, finding frogs, cuddling the Gruffalo and afterwards in the café. All welcome.

Messy church

Saturday 14 December, St. Aidan's church, Littleton Road, Lower Kersal. Free.

Crafts, activities, music, lunch and worship for families and children of all ages.

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 11

Sports and outdoor fun

Culture and music

A-Z of Salford’s Collections

Until February 23, 2020, 9.30am to 4.40pm, free. Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Peel Park, The Crescent, Salford, M5 AWU. Follow the alphabet through Salford’s collections www.salfordmuseum.com/event/ exhibition-az

TaPP Fest

Wednesday 15 January, 2020, 6pm.

Admission £4. New Adelphi theatre, University Road, Salford, M5 4BR. In memory of Liam Byrne: maker of extraordinary things. A festival of magical productions inspired by classic stories including comedy, morality tales, film noir and Arabian Nights for the 21st century.

See www.fatsoma.com - search for New Adelphi Theatre.

The Beautiful Couch

Saturday 1 February, 8pm to 11pm, £17.73. The Kings Arms, Bloom Street, Salford, M3 6AN. A tribute to The Beautiful South and The Housemartins. See www. eventbrite.co.uk and search for The Beautiful Couch.

History of 20th century British art course

The Santa Dash

Cries and Whispers

Boxing Day run

Wednesday 5 February to Wednesday 4 March 2pm to 4pm £75 plus booking fee, University of Salford.

Study key moments in the history of twentieth century British art from changing styles and subject matter to how artists responded to social and political changes.

See www.fatsoma.com and search for British history of art.

Saturday 14 March, 8pm to 10pm, £9.21. The White Hotel, Dickenson Street, Salford, M3 7LW. Manchester Collective String Quartet perform Widmann String Quartet No. 2, Choralequartett, Britten String Quartet No. 1, Gesualdo Selected Madrigals and Shostakovich String Quartet No. 8. See www.eventbrite. co.uk and search for Cries and Whispers.

Friday 6 December University of Salford/Peel Park £5 to register.

Jog or walk the three kilometre route to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society. Fancy dress not essential but strongly encouraged. www.fatsoma.com and search for Salford Santa dash.

The Salford 2K or 5K. Helly Hansen watersports centre, 15 The Quays, M50 3SQ. See www.timeoutdoors.com and search for Salford Quays.

Salford City FC

Thursday December 26, from 3pm.

The Peninsula Stadium, Moor Lane, Salford, £10, concessions £5.

Salford’s first Boxing Day fixture at home since 2016. Support them as they take on Crewe Alexandra. https://salfordcityfc.co.uk

Discover Monton and Patricroft

1pm to 2.30pm Saturday, 15 February. Dukes Drive car park, Parrin Lane, Monton, M30 8AN, £10.

Hear tales from the industrial past alongside the Bridgewater Canal, why Queen Victoria was not amused and how cakes stopped trains. See www.eventbrite.co.uk and search Discover Monton.

SALFORD INFORMATION AND LEGAL KNOWLEDGE SCHEME Need legal help with housing? Employment? Family?

Based at the University of Salford, SILKS law clinic offers free legal advice to members of the public. The advice is given by qualified lawyers, assisted by University of Salford law students working under supervision.

Our clinics run during term-time only, offering appointments between October and December, and from February to May (except Easter).

Housing Law / Tuesday afternoons / Weekly Employment Law / Wednesday afternoons / Weekly Family Law / Wednesday mornings / Monthly

Phone: Email: Web: Twitter:

0161 295 6403 probono-law@salford.ac.uk blogs.salford.ac.uk/salford-law-clinic @LawSilks

Our clinic uses student volunteers and is not always staffed, so you will not usually receive a response the same day.

Working with:

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 13

N d help?

Join us for a coff and a chat

Could you be BetterOff? If you’re worried about money, benefits or debt or need help finding a job or childcare, come and have a coffee and a chat.

Our BetterOff sessions are free, friendly and confidential. They run between 10.30am and 3.30pm and you don’t need an appointment.

Swinton Gateway Crompton House, 100 Chorley Rd, M27 6BP. Mondays, 6 January, 10 February and 16 March.

Pendleton Gateway 1 Broadwalk, M6 5FX. Tuesdays, 14 January, 18 February and 24 March.

Broughton Hub 50 Rigby Street, M7 4BQ. Wednesdays, 4 December, 22 January and 26 February.

Eccles Gateway 28 Barton Lane, M30 0TU. Thursdays, 12 December, 30 January and 5 March.

Walkden Gateway 2 Smith Street, M28 3EZ. Fridays, 20 December, 7 February and 13 March.

New: Irlam library Hurst Fold, Liverpool Road, Irlam, M44 6FD. Thursdays, 5 December, 9 January, 13 February, 12 March, 16 April and 21 May. Check the website www.salford.gov.uk/betteroff

Free school meals If you’re claiming certain benefits, your child could get free school meals.

Check if you’re entitled at www.salford.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals

Want to get online but not sure where to start?

The internet is a great resource for saving money, finding out about how to look after your health, staying in touch with friends and relatives and much more.

It can be difficult to know where to start if you haven’t used the internet much or at all. That’s where Salford City Council’s Digital You programme can help.

This ambitious programme aims to get almost 8,000 residents who have no or limited experience of the internet to get online by 2020. To help this happen, organisations across the city offer support to residents to learn how to use computers, tablets and mobile phones to get online and make the most of the internet.

One of these organisations that can help is Corinth Training. Corinth offers a range of free training courses across Salford including in Gateways, libraries and community organisations. All the courses are fantastic for improving your confidence and are a great way to meet new people and make new friends.

In addition to the free courses, Corinth also offers job clubs at Mustard Tree in Little Hulton and Irlam library where you can develop your skills and confidence and move towards finding work.

To find out more about Corinth’s courses call 07482 606808 or go to www.corinth-training.com or see www.salford.gov.uk/digitalyou

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 14

As the dark nights set in and temperatures drop, NHS Salford Clinical Commissioning Group, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Primary Care Together, and Salford City Council have come together to offer advice on staying well this winter.

Winter can be bad for our health, especially for older family members, friends and neighbours and people with long-term conditions.

The cold and damp weather, ice, snow and high winds can all aggravate any existing health problems and make us more vulnerable to illnesses that are more common in winter. But there’s lots you can do to keep yourself, your family and your neighbours well this winter.

Stay well Make sure you get your flu jab.

Flu can strike any time of the year, but it’s more common in the winter months. It’s not “just” a cold - flu can lead to serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia, and can even be deadly.

That’s why the flu jab is free if you’re aged 65 or over or have a long-term health condition. If you have children or grandchildren aged two to three, they can get the flu nasal spray from the GP. Schoolchildren from reception to year six will also be offered the nasal spray through school.

And, if you are the main carer for an older or disabled person, you may also be eligible for the free flu jab. Just speak to your GP. Check your medicine cabinet is ready for winter. Most common winter ailments, such as a cold, sore throat, cough, sinusitis or earache, can’t be treated with antibiotics.

The best thing to do is •

Rest

•

Drink plenty of fluids

•

Have at least one hot meal a day to keep your energy levels up

•

Talk to your pharmacist for advice on getting any pain relief you need such as paracetamol or ibuprofen

Your pharmacist can advise you on which medicines you should have in your cabinet to help get you and your family through the winter season.

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 15

Feeling unwell?

Don’t wait, get advice from your nearest pharmacist.

Winter can make existing health problems worse. So if you feel like you’re coming down with something, even if it’s just a cough or a cold, don’t wait until it gets worse.

Act quickly. The sooner you get advice from a pharmacist the better.

If you can’t get to a pharmacist yourself, ask someone to go for you or call your local pharmacy.

This means you can register with a GP practice that's more convenient for you, such as a practice near your work or closer to your children's schools.

•

Severe chest pain

If you need to see a GP, you can get an appointment with a Salford GP, nurse or healthcare assistant until 8pm weekdays and between 9.30am and 12.30pm at the weekend.

All patients registered with a Salford GP practice can ask for an evening or weekend appointment.

Appointments take place at Swinton Gateway, Pendleton Gateway, Walkden Gateway, Eccles Gateway and Newbury Place Health Centre and patients can book these appointments with their GP practice reception team.

•

Breathing difficulties

•

Severe injuries or burns

•

Severe bleeding that can’t be stopped

•

Broken bones

•

Suicide plans or attempts

•

Major trauma, like a road traffic accident

All GP practices in England can register new patients who live outside their practice boundary area to give you greater choice and improve access to GP services.

Thinking of going to A&E? Salford Royal’s accident and emergency department (A&E) deals with genuine life-threatening emergencies, such as:

If you go to A&E with a condition which is not appropriate for A&E, it is very likely the department will not be able to see you and instead will advise you on the most appropriate health service for your needs.

If you do fall ill with a contagious virus like flu or norovirus please stay away from the hospital unless your visit is absolutely essential, to

help reduce the spread of infection.

Hospitals are full of sick people, many of them frail and elderly, so bringing germs into a hospital is the worst thing you can do.

When it’s not an emergency but you need medical advice when your GP surgery or pharmacist is closed call NHS 111 or go to 111.nhs.uk Don’t forget your mental health.

Your mental health is as important as your physical health. Christmas and the New Year can be a tough time for lots of reasons – financial worries, family fall outs, loss of loved ones or loneliness and they can all feel magnified during the festivities. It’s OK not to be OK. If you’re not feeling yourself, or you’re stressed, anxious or depressed, reach out for help.

Chat to a friend or family member, visit a support website or call a help line.

Visit www.mind.org.uk for more information.

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 16

Stay warm Keeping warm over winter, both inside and outside, can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.

•

Heat your home to at least 18°C (65°F)

•

Draw your curtains as soon as it gets dark to stop heat escaping and draughts coming in and keep doors and windows closed

•

Breathing cold air can be bad for your health as it increases the risk of chest infections

•

Use extractor fans to avoid condensation

•

Wear several layers of light clothes. They trap warm air better than one bulky layer

Don’t overpay Check you’re getting the best energy deal by using a price comparison website or contact Salford Foundation. They can also help to exchange prepayment meters for ordinary, pay monthly credit meters.

Call 0161 787 8500 (extension 291) or e-mail: energyadvice@ salfordfoundation.org.uk www.salfordfoundation.org.uk

Look out for other people

Need extra support?

Remember that other people, such as older neighbours, friends and family may need a bit of extra help over the winter.

There’s a lot you can do to help!

Care on Call is a mobile warden service that supports eligible people who want to stay living independently in their own homes.

Icy pavements and roads and cold weather can stop people from getting out and about. Keep in touch with your friends, neighbours and family and ask if they need any practical help or if they’re feeling under the weather.

They offer a unique service, responding to emergency calls with trained and experienced staff. Their control centre is based at a central location in Salford and operates 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.

Staff can provide assistance and alert emergency services, doctors or family members as appropriate.

There are two levels of service package available. To find out more, including costs, see www.salford.gov.uk/careoncall or telephone 0161 607 7133.

Make sure they’re stocked up with enough food for a few days in case they can’t go out. If they do need to go out in the cold encourage them to wear shoes with a good grip and a scarf around their mouth to protect them from the cold air and to reduce their risk of chest infections.

And make sure they get any prescription medicines before the holidays start on 24 December and if bad weather is forecast.

Be smart about energy Get a smart meter for accurate, real time information about how much energy you are using. Even if you change your supplier it will carry on working. Call Smart Energy GB on 0300 131 7777.

Gas safety Don’t forget, gas appliances should be checked every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You can find a Gas Safe engineer by calling 0800 408 5500.

Qualifying owner-occupiers could be entitled to a gas health and safety check for their gas boiler and fire through the Gas Safe scheme or you may get help with essential repairs to gas boilers, fires and cookers.

To find out more about the scheme visit www.salford.gov.uk/ warmsalford or call Helping Hands on 0161 793 9419.

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 17

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Keeping Salford warm The Warm Salford Campaign, run

by Salford City Council, is all about helping you stay warm and cut your fuel bills.

Check if you qualify for a free home visit from a friendly, qualified home energy advisor by calling 0800 060 7567 or see www. applyforleap.org.uk They can: •

•

Help check if you’re paying too much for gas or electricity.

Switching to the cheapest tariffs could save you £280 a year

proofing, which can save the average household £30 on their energy bills •

Give you up to date energy efficiency hints and tips and make sure your heating system is set up to keep you warm and save money

•

Arrange a free telephone advice service to check you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to or help you with debt or other money problems

•

Install free, simple energy saving measures, such as draught-

Refer you for more energy efficiency improvements, such as loft insulation or a new boiler.

Protect against burglaries Dark nights can mean more risk but there are simple steps you can take.

•

Check your windows are secure and keep doors locked at all times

•

If you go out leave lights and the tv on and use your burglar alarm

•

Good outside lighting, keeping ladders and tools hidden and trimming hedges all help

•

•

Keep valuables well-hidden and keep keys away from letter boxes and cat flaps Register mobile phones and valuables free on www.immobilise.com to help police return items if they are stolen.

Buy local, social and ethical this festive season Salford Social Value Alliance is encouraging Salford residents to buy local, social and ethical.

Its ideas include buying from local businesses, charities and social enterprises that are socially-minded and ethical. How about visiting your local charity shop for presents? Recycling items or making your own decorations? Or buying Fairtrade coffee, luxury chocolates made by a social enterprise or local veg for your Christmas dinner?

It will make sure more of our festive spend stays in Salford pockets, that our goods are grown or made nearby and that we think about local people and the environment – all of which will help make Salford a better place.

Alliance members are campaigning to make Salford 10% Better, from encouraging more volunteering to promoting the ‘real’ living wage.

Find out more at: salfordsocialvalue.org.uk/buylocal/

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 18

ForHousing delivering change, one brick at a time

We have recently completed work on a ÂŁ5.4 million housing development in Salford, and have started work on a ÂŁ3.7 million housing development to help prevent homelessness.

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 19

We know that homes matter. They are the first building block on the journey to a better life.

We are focused on providing quality homes and places, offering a safe and secure space to live. Work has now finished on 53 much-needed homes for affordable rent in Walkden and Little Hulton.

In Little Hulton, seven one and two-bedroom bungalows have been completed at Russell Court, offering additional support to allow people to live independently for longer.

In Walkden, an apartment block of 36 one and twobedroom homes have been built at Rowan House, while the Whittlebrook scheme provides 10 two and threebedroom family homes.

New tenants Gail and David Hoey were offered a home in Rowan House.

Mr Hoey said: “I was really happy with the contact and information we received from ForHousing and since moving in, the great service has not stopped; we’ve been constantly kept in the loop. We feel so settled here and we’re so glad we’ve found our forever home.”

We are excited to give more people a place to build new lives and become part of a community. That’s why we work with communities to understand what they need to create real change.

A development of 15 one-bedroom apartments in Somerset Road, Eccles, will be built to address a shortage of low-cost supported accommodation available to people who face becoming homeless in Salford.

The first phase of the scheme, in Haddon Road, was launched by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett in April, and the third site, in Vicars Street, is awaiting planning approval.

The one-bedroom self-contained apartments will transform three former garage sites in Eccles delivering 39 new homes.

The new homes will improve the lives of people who are at risk of becoming homeless and support them into safe, secure and affordable housing while providing opportunities to build a more positive future through employment and training opportunities.

Nigel Sedman, Group Director of Homes, said: “We know that for many people, especially those at risk of homelessness, securing somewhere affordable to live is a real challenge.

“It’s really positive to see the great progress we’re making on this development, which will provide a safe place for tenants to call home and provide them with vital support to fuel their potential and plan their future.”

If you would like to find out more about our developments, please visit www.forhousing.co.uk

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 20

New role for Lance Lance Gardner has been appointed as Salford Primary Care Together’s Chief Executive.

Lance has been interim Chief Executive since April and was appointed as permanent leader in October.

Chair Liz Cross said:

Bring the baby Expectant mums and new parents can enjoy a variety of ways to keep active with Salford Community Leisure.

Adults and babies can attend spinning, circuits and kettlebell group fitness classes together at Eccles, Swinton and Pendlebury, Irlam and Cadishead and Worsley leisure centres. These baby-friendly fitness sessions are a great way to keep active and meet other parents and carers without the need for childcare.

Aquanatal classes are healthy, safe and fun (participants must be 12 weeks pregnant or more) providing the perfect balance of relaxation, laughter and exercise.

Salford’s aquanatal classes take a holistic approach to mums’ physical and mental well-being, combining relaxation with cardiovascular exercises to help prepare the body for labour.

Aquanatal classes take place at Worsley, Irlam and Cadishead and Broughton leisure centres.

Discovery Ducklings baby swim sessions are available at Broughton and Worsley leisure centres for nought to four year olds incorporating four awards to achieve, kicking off their learn to swim experience. The sessions teach children water confidence while staying close to adults.

Older babies and toddlers can progress through the Ducking Awards and then onto regular swimming stages.

All sessions run for an hour and cost £4 for a parent or carer.

For times and full details see www.salfordcommunitylesiure.co.uk

Lance has a long history of working in Salford and we know he is absolutely passionate about and committed to the future of Salford Primary Care Together and health and social care in the city.

We know he will work hard to take the organisation from strength to strength and lead an organisation where everyone can enjoy playing their part in the development and delivery of great services that make a real and lasting difference to the people of Salford.

Lance said:

It has been a great honour to contribute in whatever way I can to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of this great city.

I am working alongside some great people to start to shape an exciting

future for Salford Primary Care Together.

Lance is joined on the Board by two other new appointments: Alan Kershaw as Chief Finance Officer and, from December, Peta Stross as Chief Operating Officer.

To find out more about Salford Primary Care Together please see www.spctogether.co.uk

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 21

Protect your children Schoolgirls and boys in Year 8 are being offered a vaccine which can protect them against five or more cancers.

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is being offered free by the NHS to 12 and 13 year olds to protect against infections and cancers caused by the virus.

The HPV virus is very common and there are many types.

Some cause infections which clear up on their own and cause no problems. Others cause infections such as warts or verrucas while others are classified as high risk because they are linked to the development of cancers such as cervical cancer, cancers of the genital area and some head and neck cancers.

Girls and boys will be offered two doses of the HPV vaccination, the second of which is normally offered six months after the first. It’s important to have both doses to be protected.

Girls (only) who missed their HPV vaccination in school year 8 can continue to have the vaccine up to their 25th birthday. Please speak to your GP about this.

For more information please see www.nhs.uk/ conditions/vaccinations/hpv-human-papillomavirusvaccine/

Get your child’s oral health off to a good start Half of Salford children start school with tooth decay which could be prevented. Having a tooth removed is now the most common reason for young children to go into hospital in Greater Manchester and costs the NHS £20 million every year.

That’s why Salford City Council and the NHS are working in partnership with early years providers to establish good oral hygiene routines nursery and school children.

The supervised tooth brushing scheme trains 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.

The scheme is free to all private, voluntary, independent and local authority nurseries and schools in Salford which have children aged two to five years old. Over 9000 Salford children are now benefiting from brushing their teeth daily in their nursery or school with a fluoride toothpaste. Check with your child’s nursery or school that they aren’t missing out.

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 22

Welcome to our community page Events, activities and news from you and your local community. There are more events promoted on mycitysalford.com 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.

Need some help?

The Salford Unemployed Resource Centre has a free, weekday breakfast club for homeless people, exoffenders and those on low incomes, with food parcels on Thursdays. The club can also signpost people to dental and medical services and advice on drugs, alcohol, housing, employment law, welfare benefits and debt.

Drop in at 84 to 86 Liverpool Rd, Eccles, M30 OWZ or call 0161 789 2999.

Get involved The Narrowgate Night Shelter for homeless people is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

They need volunteers aged 18 plus to befriend and help guests. Full training provided.

See www.manchestercitymission.org.uk, email barry@manchestercitymission.org.uk or call 0161 736 7959.

Jennifer’s cancer research boost Jennifer Antrobus is the latest woman to benefit from the Feryal Rajah Trust set up in memory of a much respected local doctor.

The Trust helps Salford women pursue careers in nursing, medicine and allied professions and has awarded over £10,000 to more than 30 women. Jennifer is studying for a PhD in cancer biology.

See www.salford.gov.uk/feryalrajah or call 0161 778 0138 or email CSDBusinessSupport@ salford.gov.uk for an application form.

The Probus Club of Salford meets on the third Tuesday of each month at Buile Hill Banqueting Suite 10am to 12 noon with guest speakers, lunches, trips out and holidays. Membership is for men aged 58 plus. For details please call Barry Madden on 07816 943488 or 0161 737 4247. Free.

Salford City Radio is 12 years old. Volunteers produce shows to inform and entertain Salford.

To get involved or find out more call 0161 793 2939 or email info@salfordcityradio.org or see www.salfordcityradio.org Salford Quays Community Forum (SQCF) is for residents, businesses and organisations of Salford Quays and MediaCityUK. It is tackling community issues, from environmental surveys and litter picks to anti-social behaviour and commenting on development. See the Salford Quays Community Forum Facebook page.

Treasured community sculpture restored The Man on the Bench is back at Irlam Station, thanks to a community fundraising campaign.

The much-loved sculpture of an industrial-age working man relaxing on a bench, was created by local schoolboy Simon Law, for an art project at Irlam High School in 1978.

Local charity Hamilton Davies Trust (HDT) and the community of Irlam and Cadishead teamed up to raise £14,000 to bronze-cast the sculpture and make him more resilient.

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 23

Salford in short Bereaved save £66,000 Salford’s Residents’ Funeral Service saved grieving relatives over £66,000 in its first year.

Salford City Council acted after national research showed low income families going into debt to afford funerals. The council also abolished cremation and burial fees for under 18s.

The service offers all the elements and dignity of a traditional funeral service but, thanks to a partnership with local funeral directors Kane, is competitively priced.

Councillor David Lancaster, lead member for environment and community service, said: “We expected 20 funerals in the first year but actually carried out 47. Our fixed price service has saved families going into debt at a very difficult time.”

See www.salfordfairfunerals.org.uk for advice on bereavement and planning a funeral.

Thousands of Salford children given food help Just under 3,000 children in Salford were helped with food vouchers and other holiday schemes served nearly 4,000 meals over the school summer break.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett made funds available through the Salford Assist crisis scheme to give families whose children normally get free school meals a £30 voucher. Deputy City Mayor Councillor Paula Boshell thanked volunteers and said: “It clearly shows the need in the city.”

The Booth Charities, Salford, made a substantial grant towards the voucher scheme.

Proud to support Salford City Council’s support for veterans is now officially award winning according to the Royal British Legion of Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

Councillor Barry Warner, veterans champion, received the reward recognising the council's outstanding public sector support while Rebecca Holden from the council’s supported tenancy team won the individual award for housing support to the armed forces community.

Ideas for Eccles Gateway?

Want to have your say on community services and facilities at Eccles Gateway? Join our new customer panel group to share ideas and influence change. More details at www.salford.gov.uk/ customerpanel

M60 junction 13 improvement works

Salford City Council is investing £300,000 in tackling youth crime.

Improvements to both roundabouts at junction 13 of the M60 will run from January to the end of May next year to improve traffic flow on local roads and reduce waiting times.

The funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority will help young people stay safe by understanding the dangers of carrying knives while trading standards make sure those selling knives keep to the law.

Young people at risk of getting involved in crime and those already in custody will get one to one support. Salford Youth Council plans to organise a conference for young people about knife crime.

Work will primarily take place at night to minimise disruption to motorists and the local community. For more information please see www.salford.gov.uk/j13

£300,000 to tackle youth crime

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 24

Are you being abused or neglected?

Is somebody taking your money?

Not looking after you properly?

Keeping you away from family and friends?

Abuse isn’t just being hit or shouted at. Abuse can be many things but it is never okay and you should never have to put up with it.

Salford Safeguarding Adults Board brings together a whole range of organisations who work together to protect people from abuse.

If you’re worried about things that don’t seem right, you may be suffering from some kind of abuse. Get in touch and let’s talk about what’s happening. It’s totally confidential. We’ll help you decide what to do and help you every step of the way.

If it is abuse together we’ll stop it.

Elsie’s* story Elsie, 82, was financially abused by a member of her family who gradually took thousands of pounds from her. She got behind with her bills, had no money for food and eventually lost her home.

The bank noticed I looked poorly and that money was going from my account. They contacted the police.

I didn’t want to get the person into trouble, I just wanted what was happening to stop but I couldn’t see a way out of it by myself. I needed help.

The manager of my new home, a social worker, the police and I had a meeting.

I was a bit scared. I didn’t know what it would mean for the person or for me. I’d never been involved with the police or social services before and I didn’t know what to expect. I thought it would just snowball and they would do what they thought was best.

It wasn’t like that at all. They didn’t take anything out of my hands, they didn’t do anything without asking if I was in favour of it. I was totally involved in making the decisions and they were so kind. They were not trying to cause trouble; they were trying to help me.

Now she’s no longer losing money Elsie’s bills are paid, she’s improving her new home and has savings again. Her bank keeps an eye on her and if she’s worried she knows where to call for help.

If you’re being abused or neglected, contact us in confidence on 0161 631 4777 and we can help you.

You can also contact us if you suspect someone may be a victim of abuse or neglect.

*Name has been changed Picture posed by model

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 25

Have you ever thought about fostering a teenager?

If you’ve been thinking about fostering, but don’t want to go back to bottles and nappies, why not look into fostering an older child?

If you enjoyed taking your own children to gigs, football games, theatre shows or the cinema, could you give the same experiences to another teenager?

You can help them get on the right track and give them the inspiration to go to college or get a good apprenticeship to put them on the road to a successful career.

Sue* currently cares for three teenage brothers and sisters. She said: "Being a carer for teenagers is a really rewarding role as well as extremely challenging at times.

"Watching them settle in over the last year has been fantastic as has seeing their reactions when they experience new fun and exciting opportunities.

These are things a lot of people take for granted such as going to a concert, having a summer BBQ in the garden or going on holiday. It’s amazing just watching the joy on their face and seeing them thrive.

Older children in care need nurturing just as much as younger children.

Watching them dealing with some pretty big issues can be tough but this is a crucial time for them to be able to grow and develop into confident and happy young adults. They just need a loving home, a listening ear and a chance to fulfil their potential."

Can you help us to keep our Salford young people in their local area? Sadly, at the moment, when we can’t find a foster family here in Salford, we have to place our teenagers with a foster family, or even in a residential children’s home in another area of the country. This may mean they have to leave their school and friends behind and can often struggle to adjust.

If you’re interested in fostering a child aged 11+ please call us for a chat on 0161 799 1268 or visit www.salford.gov.uk/foster *Names have been changed. Photo posed by models.

Why foster for Salford?

•

You’ll receive a regular allowance, and other payments for things like birthdays and clothes.

• We offer a full programme of training held at local venues, and you’ll be linked to an experienced foster carer who you can contact for advice and support.

• You’re never on your own - you’ll have a dedicated personal social worker who will visit you regularly and we have a 24/7 emergency phone line.

• We pride ourselves on finding the best match to suit you and your family and we have regular social activities and support groups for carers and their birth children.

• You can join our Foster Carers’ Association and go to regular coffee mornings for independent support and advice.

You can see full details at www.salford.gov.uk/foster

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 26

Staff and patients at The Fountains care home.

Swinton care home staff

hailed as ‘heroes’ A Salford care home which supports people living with dementia has been voted the winner of Salix Homes’ annual Springboard Heroes Awards.

The Fountains in Swinton is this year’s winner of the coveted award organised by housing association Salix Homes to recognise community groups and initiatives that are making a difference.

Someone is diagnosed with dementia every three minutes and symptoms include memory loss, confusion and, for some, forgetting their own loved ones.

The effects of the brain disorder can be devastating for the residents and their families but The Fountains is raising much-needed funds to help make life a little easier for its residents.

Staff have been raising money to create a new sensory room and purchase empathy dolls for their dementia patients and say the £1,000 Springboard prize pot will help them on their way.

Shelley Hollorn, administrator at The Fountains, said: “We do as much as we can to provide activities for our patients, but our own fundraising can only go so far. This money from Springboard will help us to improve our care by helping to create a more stimulating environment for them.

“Dementia often causes people to feel isolated, frustrated, bored and unhappy as they start to lose understanding of the world around them.

“We’re going to use the award money to create an aquatic themed sensory room for our residents living with dementia. They really like watching the tropical fish swim around in their tanks, as they find them really calming. The residents will love their new room and that’s what it’s all about.”

The Fountains was one of four finalists in the Springboard Heroes Awards, with close to 1,000 votes cast by the public.

Sue Sutton, executive director of operations at Salix Homes, said: “The Springboard Heroes is our way of honouring some of the fantastic work that ordinary people in Salford are doing day in, day out and it is projects like these that make our communities so special.

“We’re incredibly proud of our Springboard grant programme which has provided a lifeline for dozens of fantastic groups and projects that are really making a difference in Salford.”

Each of the runners-up, which include Peel Park parkrun, Friends of Green Grosvenor Park and The Audacious Foundation received £100.

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 27

Salix Homes furniture recycling scheme diverts 200 items away from landfill Salix Homes officers Aaron Brown, Janine Hart and David Ryan with some of the furniture that’s been diverted away from landfill sites

Tonnes of pre-loved furniture in Salford destined for landfill sites has been donated to families in need.

Some of the pre-loved furniture at Salix Homes’ warehouse in Salford.

Housing association Salix Homes, which owns 8,000 homes in Salford, has launched a new scheme to recycle unwanted furniture that has been donated or left behind when tenants move out and give it to residents who need it most.

Since the scheme launched this summer more than 200 items of furniture, including sofas, wardrobes, beds, white goods and even smaller items like ornaments and mirrors, have been diverted away from landfill sites.

Maria Lester, environmental services manager at Salix Homes, said: “Furnishing a home from scratch can be very expensive and some of

our tenants aren’t in a position to buy everything new. Thanks to this scheme, people who are struggling can come down to our warehouse and pick what they need to help make their house into a home.

“We’re really proud of this new scheme which is not only helping people who need it most, but also saving tonnes of good quality furniture from being sent to landfill."

Salix Homes is now calling for more residents to donate and recycle furniture to help others.

Maria added: “We all have a duty to do our bit to help the environment and consider the impact our actions have on our planet. If you have any items of furniture that still have plenty of life left in them, we’d urge you to donate it to this fantastic cause where you’ll not only be helping the planet but people living in poverty too.”

The scheme is only currently available for Salix Homes tenants.

For more information on donating furniture or using the new service, contact Salix Homes recycling co-ordinator Janine Hart on 0800 218 2000 or email enquiries@salixhomes.co.uk

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 28

You said, we're doing

How we're keeping your community safe In the last issue we asked you what you priorities were for community safety.

Thanks for all your responses.

Respondents said their priorities were reducing antisocial behaviour, burglaries and car crime and tackling gangs and related violence through more police on the streets. Young people were also concerned about knife crime.

Gangs are being targeted by Project Gulf, run by Salford’s Community Safety Partnership. Made up of Salford City Council, Greater Manchester Police and partners, Gulf has worked successfully for 10 years to gather intelligence, disrupt activities and prosecute gang members as well as helping young people stay away from a life of crime.

Knife crime and anti-social behaviour are being tackled with a wide range of initiatives from education and activities for young people to using legal powers. These might include acceptable behaviour contracts, tenancy warnings or civil injunctions banning people from certain areas or activities and taking legal action against shops illegally selling alcohol.

Just over 71% of people who responded to the survey agreed that people in their local area get on well together and suggested community events as a good way of bringing people together.

We’re prepared – are you?

Day or night Salford City Council is ready to respond to any emergency affecting the city.

Over a month and a half’s worth of rain fell in just 48 hours this summer saturating the ground and overwhelming the drains. Worsley Brook rose to record levels, threatening to flood nearby homes.

Our CCTV cameras provided information while first responders went door to door advising residents to move items upstairs and plan what to take if they had to evacuate.

Other council staff prepared to transport and care for anyone evacuated to a rest centre, checked drains in the area, closed roads for safety and sent out messages to warn and inform people.

Luckily the rain stopped and the water levels dropped but we advise people to be prepared.

Help us to help you by being prepared: check, insure, plan.

You can sign up for advance warnings of bad weather through the Met office at www.metoffice.gov.uk Check if you live in a flood risk area and sign up for flood alerts at www.gov.uk/check-flood-risk or call Floodline 24/7 on 0345 988 1188 to register. Ask your neighbours if they are also registered.

Make sure you have buildings and contents insurance to protect your home and goods.

Plan what you’d do in any kind of emergency to protect important items and what medication, documents or items you’d take if you had to evacuate.

Check out Greater Manchester advice on all kinds of emergencies www.gmemergencyplanning.org.uk

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 29

A CENTRE OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

OPEN EVENT

Come and meet our expert staff and find out more about our academic offer

THURSDAY 5 DECEMBER 2019 5.30pm - 7.30pm Dronfield Road m6 7fr 0161 631 5001 admissions salfordcc.ac.uk www.salfordcc.ac.uk

What’s on 2019

All breaks are based on bed, breakfast and evening meal Turkey and Tinsel seven nights £295 pp any week from 27 November to 18 December 2019 Limited availability Christmas and New Year nine nights from £599 pp Winter Warmers January and February 2020 seven nights from £230 pp Bookings now being taken for Christmas and New Year • • • Door to door transport is now available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays • • • All types of functions catered for.

Group bookings welcome • Wheelchair access • Wet room • All types of functions catered for • 2020 brochure and tariff out now Christmas, nine nights from £599pp

 0161 925 1233 (office hours) Short from  01704 538810 (out of hours) breaks £99pp   salfordian@salford.gov.uk  www.salford.gov.uk/salfordian

Reg. No. 3438263. Registered as a charity. Reg. No 1071111

Omer Meir Wellber, Chief Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic

Unmissable Classical Music for £3 On 14 December, the BBC Philharmonic’s final Bridgewater Hall concert of 2019 also marks a new beginning. It’s the first time that Omer Meir Wellber, the orchestra’s Chief Conductor, takes to the Manchester podium in his new, titled role.

It’s not the only first of the evening either as Omer opens with the UK premiere of Sofia Gubaidulina’s Triple Concerto. Written for the combination of violin, cello, and accordion – it received standing ovations at its 2017 debut and tonight is paired with Bruckner’s towering Seventh Symphony.

And, whilst the orchestra welcomes Omer, it also says a sad goodbye to the brilliant Tasmin Little. Tasmin takes her final Bridgewater Hall bow on 1 February (performing Szymanowski’s gripping Second Violin Concerto) before stepping down from the concert platform next summer.

Salford residents can enjoy an exclusive ticket offer of £3 for stalls tickets for both concerts. Numbers are limited so do book early. Contact The Bridgewater Hall and quote SALFORDDEC when booking for 14 December and SALFORDFEB when booking for 1 February. For online bookings please enter the promo code before selecting your seat.

Phone: 0161 907 9000 or book online at www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk

Life in Salford 27 • November 2019 30

Salix Living recognised with top homelessness award Salford ethical lettings agency Salix Living was highly commended for its efforts to tackle homelessness.

Salix Living, Salix Homes’ private sector leasing arm, a finalist in the Best Homelessness Scheme category of the 24 Housing Awards.

Salix Living works with homelessness services and landlords across Greater Manchester to provide affordable, quality accommodation for people in desperate housing need.

Jonathan Drake, service director at Salix Living, said: “We work closely with homelessness services who refer people directly to us. Seventy per cent of our lets are to the homeless or those at risk of homelessness.

RECYCLING

PLASTICS?

IT’S GOT

TO BE A BOTTLE

“We’re really proud of the difference Salix Living is making to support people at risk of homelessness in our communities to get their lives back on track. To be recognised for our work in this area is a real honour.”

Salix Living also plays a key role in bringing empty buildings back into use as housing.

Working with private landlords and the council to access grants for refurbishment, Salix Living has created 167 affordable homes in this way, many of which are now home to people who were at risk of homelessness.

Earlier this year Salix Living scooped a Northern Housing Award recognising its commitment to tackling the housing crisis.

In Greater Manchester, the only plastics you can put in your MIXED RECYCLING BIN at home are plastic bottles.

Search #GotToBeABottle

recycleforgreatermanchester.com Recycle for Greater Manchester is a partnership between the GMCA and nine councils in Greater Manchester (Bolton, Bury, Manchester City, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford City, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford). This advert does not apply to Wigan.

A range of services at your fingertips

!

Win a Samsung tablet! *when you sign up to MySalix by 31.12.19

With the new MySalix customer portal, you can schedule repairs and receive real-time repair updates, check rent statements, make payments, report problems and track your cases in real-time.

www.mysalix.co.uk

Log On

Schedule

Track

Job Done.

Just visit www.mysalix.co.uk

to create your account and access all these services in one place, online, anytime.

Log On, Job Done. www.mysalix.co.uk

Advertisement

AFFORDABLE INDEPENDENCE STAIRLIFTS NEW STRAIGHT STAIRLIFTS FROM

NEW CURVED STAIRLIFTS FROM

£2795*

£1145*

RECONDITIONED STAIRLIFTS FROM ONLY

£495

*

Ableworld (UK)

WE BUY BACK & REMOVE UNWANTED STAIRLIFTS Acorn : Age UK : Brooks Companion : Handicare

UP TO

£5PAID 00

Depending on age and condition (upto 5 years old)

FREEPHONE 0800 470 1912 FOR FREE QUOTE

STAIRLIFTS

RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE

We have people on the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer engineering support.

Warranties available for call outs and repairs**, including annual service, from £20.15 per month * Ableworld employ their own engineers who fit and service customers’ stairlifts. * Ableworld only send trained engineers to undertake visits – no sales teams. * New stairlifts come with 3 years parts warranty and 1 years labour as standard. * Try before you buy – working stairlifts are in our shops in * Wigan, Wavertree, Southport, St Helens and Salford.

Your one-stop shop for all your needs

Engineers available for stairlift call-outs, scooter & wheelchair repairs Bedroom & Lounge Furniture : Wheelchairs : Continence Care : Tables Slippers & Shoes : Mobility Scooters : Dining Aids : Medication Aids Lighting & Magnifying Aids : Walking Sticks : Bathroom & Kitchen Accessories Specialist Department for Hoists, Seating & Powerchairs ST HELENS

ABLEWORLD

ABLEWORLD

WAVERTREE ABLEWORLD

17 Caroline Street, Wigan, WN34E L

9 Eccleston Street St Helens, WA102PG

140 Rathbone Road, Wavertree, Liverpool, L154H H

01942 233200

01744 453038

0151 733 1118

info@ ableworldwigan.co.uk

info@ ableworldsthelens.co.uk

info@ ableworldwavertree.co.uk

Adjacent to Anrich Pet Healthcare Centre

2 minutes from ASDA

100yards from Wavertree Railway Station

SALFORD

ABLEWORLD

Burrows House, 10 Priestley Road. Wardley Ind. Est. Manchester, M28 2LY 0161 728 1880 info@ ableworldsalford.co.uk 200yards from BOC Gas

SOUTHPORT ABLEWORLD

Shakespeare Centre 43 Shakespeare St Southport PR8 5AB 01704 537 631 info@ ableworldsouthport.co.uk 5 mins from Lord Street

Further details on all our stores can be found on: www.ableworld.co.uk

facebook.com/

twitter.com/

ableworld

AbleworldUK

www.ableworld.co.uk Ableworld are the main mobility retailer in the area approved as a Community Equipment Dispenser

Prices valid to 29th December 2019 *VAT Exempt - Ask in Store for Details MRP - Manufacturers Recommended Price.

Images for illustration only Insurance/Warranty is arranged by Ableworld UK Ltd and provided through Mark Bates Ltd t/a Premier Care, Premier House, Londonthorpe Road, Grantham, Lincs, NG31 9SN who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FRN 308390.

Calls made to this number may be recorded for monitoring and quality purposes 7757923

WIGAN