What a journey it has been! On Friday, 23rd January, the air at Swinton Masonic Hall was filled with joy, laughter, and a true sense of community as we gathered to celebrate the 2nd Anniversary of Salford Community Upskilling.
It feels like just yesterday that we began our mission to empower our local community, yet looking back at the last 24 months, we are overwhelmed by how much we have achieved together.
A Day to Remember
The hall was decorated in our colours, balloons were floating high, and the tables were set for a fantastic afternoon of reflection and celebration. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces—our students, volunteers, families, and partners—coming together to mark this milestone.
Reflecting on Our Mission
Over the past two years, our goal has remained steadfast: to help and support our community, including asylum seekers and refugees, by providing the tools they need to integrate and thrive.
Through our English language classes, ICT and digital skills workshops, mental health awareness sessions, and arts and culture activities, we have seen first-hand the positive changes in people’s lives. seeing our members gain the confidence to navigate the modern world is exactly why we do what we do.
A Heartfelt Thank You
As the saying goes, “It takes a village.” We simply could not have reached this 2nd birthday without the incredible network of support around us.
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors, partners, and supporters who make our work possible:
- Salford City Council and ForHousing for their continued funding and belief in our vision.
- Forever Manchester, Good Things Foundation, Neighbourly, and the We Are Group for their partnership.
- Pendleton Together and the Asda Foundation for their community support.
- Lidl GB and Aldi UK for their contributions.
- And a special shout-out to Rango TV and Necof TV for capturing the magic of the event.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we cut the cake and cheered for the future, we looked forward with excitement. We have so much more planned for 2026. We are committed to bringing even more positive change, expanding our workshops, and continuing to be a safe, welcoming space for everyone in Salford.
To our amazing volunteers, members, families, and friends: thank you for being the heartbeat of this organisation.
Here is to many more years of service, friendship, and upskilling!
With love,
The Salford Community Upskilling Team
