At Salford Community Upskilling, we were delighted to see such a fantastic turnout for our packed ‘Seat and Strengthen’ session on Saturday 7th March 2026. The atmosphere was full of warmth, encouragement and positive energy as women from different backgrounds came together to focus on health, wellbeing and community connection.
As part of our ongoing #WellbeingMatters work, this special session celebrated the power of movement, togetherness and support. It was especially meaningful as we marked International Women’s Day, recognising the strength, resilience and contribution of women in our community.
The Seat and Strengthen session gave participants the opportunity to take part in gentle, accessible exercise designed to improve mobility, strength and overall wellbeing. The room was full of smiles, laughter and determination as everyone joined in at their own pace, encouraging one another throughout the session. It was wonderful to see so many women enjoying themselves while also investing in their health.
One of the highlights of the day was seeing Mama R fully enjoying the session and embracing the health benefits that come with movement and community participation. Her joy reflected exactly what these sessions are all about: creating safe and welcoming spaces where women can feel uplifted, empowered and supported.
We also want to celebrate F S, a truly inspiring woman in our community. Despite the distressing situation currently affecting Iran, she continues to find strength and comfort in the friendships she has built through the group. In her own heartfelt way, she describes the other members as “my sisters who teach me their cultures”. Her words beautifully capture the spirit of solidarity, belonging and shared learning that we are proud to nurture at Salford Community Upskilling CIC.
Following the exercise session, the celebration continued with a cultural food event at CiCi Fleur, The Mental Marathon Wellness Centre, in partnership with She Rises Collective. Together, we enjoyed a lovely cultural food celebration featuring delicious Polish cuisine, giving everyone the chance to connect, share stories and appreciate the richness of our diverse community.
This event was not only about physical wellbeing, but also about women’s empowerment, equality, diversity and inclusion. It was a reminder that when women come together in supportive spaces, amazing things happen. Friendships are formed, confidence grows, cultures are shared and wellbeing improves.
We are proud to celebrate the women of Salford Community Upskilling and the positive impact they bring to one another every day. On International Women’s Day, and every day, we honour every woman who brings positive vibes, inspires others and helps build stronger communities.
We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all our supporters and partners who help make this work possible:
Salford CVS
Salford City Council
Good Things Foundation
Pendleton Together
People’s Postcode Lottery
Forever Manchester
Cash4Clubs – C4CC
Sported
Salford Loaves and Fishes
The National Lottery Community Fund
Neighbourly
ForHousing Salford
She Rises Collective CIC
