As part of the Live Well Festival and Wellbeing Matters, Salford Community Upskilling had the privilege of hosting a special gathering designed specifically for men in our community. We invited them to come together, have a brew, and tell us all about their experiences of living in Salford and Greater Manchester.
We were delighted that eight men responded to our call, joining us at the Holm Court Community Room for what turned out to be an incredibly moving and open discussion. For this first session, we decided against taking any photographs; we wanted to respect everyone’s privacy and ensure that those who felt a bit shy could speak freely and comfortably in a safe environment.
During our time together, the men bravely shared their personal stories, detailing the profound challenges of navigating daily life so far away from their loved ones.
The Challenge of the Language Barrier
One of the most vital takeaways from our discussion was the impact of the language barrier. The group highlighted that limited English was the primary factor discouraging them from socialising and hindering their ability to lead a comfortable, independent life. It was inspiring to hear how keen they all are to learn and improve, but it was equally frustrating to hear that many are currently stuck on long ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) waiting lists. Breaking down these barriers is exactly why Salford Community Upskilling exists, and hearing these struggles firsthand only reinforces the importance of accessible language education.
A City of Sanctuary
Despite these daily struggles, the feedback regarding our local area was incredibly heartwarming. The group unanimously reported that Salford is the best city they have ever been to!
During the chat, we proudly highlighted that Salford is a recognised City of Sanctuary. We want to say a massive “Bravo!” to Salford City Council and the wider community for working so hard to ensure that people from all over the world feel genuinely welcome here.
Looking to the Future
By the end of the session, the group expressed a strong, enthusiastic interest in meeting regularly to socialise, discuss their experiences, and meet new people.
We heard them loud and clear. Facilitating these connections is precisely what we are going to do next, and with your continued support, we can make these regular wellbeing meet-ups a permanent fixture for the men in our community.
With special thanks to our incredible partners and supporters who make this work possible:
- Salford ESOL
- Salford CVS
- Salford Loaves and Fishes
- Forever Manchester
- Good Things Foundation
- Pendleton Together
- PostcodeLotteryUK
- The National Lottery Community Fund
- Cash4Clubs – C4CC
- sported
- We Are Group
