At Salford Community Upskilling, we truly believe that integrating into a new community is about much more than just learning the language; it’s about making connections, sharing experiences, and taking care of our physical and mental health. On the 21st of March, we had the absolute pleasure of doing exactly that, enjoying a wonderful day out in the heart of Salford that perfectly combined fitness, food, and friendship!

Stepping Out for Our Health
Our day began with a fantastic initiative led by Wellbeing Matter, who invited us on a refreshing 10-minute health walk. As you can see from our photos, it was a beautifully crisp, bright day. Walking together through the local streets and pathways gave us a wonderful chance to stretch our legs, catch up with one another, and enjoy the simple but profound benefits of fresh air and light exercise. It’s truly amazing how just a short stroll can lift your spirits and set a positive tone for the day ahead.

A Warm Welcome at The Mental Marathon Wellness Centre
Our walk led us to our destination: The Mental Marathon Wellness Centre on Cromwell Road, Salford. Stepping inside, we were greeted by a beautifully decorated long table with red and white roses—a perfect setting for a communal gathering.

Here, we were treated to an extraordinary cultural cooking experience featuring mouth-watering traditional dishes from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon. The spread was an absolute feast for the senses! We tucked into large trays of golden, fluffy dough balls (mikate or beignets), rich and hearty meat stews cooked gently with colourful bell peppers and onions, and traditional, deeply flavourful green leaf stews. Sharing these authentic meals was a beautiful reminder of how food can cross borders and bring us all closer together.

Building Friendships and Feeling Better
The atmosphere in the room was incredibly uplifting. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and felt genuinely restored after socialising with members of other community groups, including our wonderful friends from The Doosti. Sharing a meal, swapping stories, and simply spending time in good company did wonders for everyone’s wellbeing.

A Huge Thank You to Our Supporters
Community events like this, which bring so much joy and connection to our local area, are only made possible through collaboration and the generous backing of local organisations and funders. We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to:

• Salford CVS
• Salford City Council
• Pendleton Together
• The National Lottery Community Fund
• Postcode Lottery UK
• Asda Foundation
• Sported
• Cash4Clubs – C4CC