We are humbled to feature again in Pendleton Together’s Community News Update. Our latest appearance in the September 2026 edition follows our first feature in November 2025, after our first Black History Month celebration.
The November 2025 newsletter covered that celebration: a day of speeches, music and community. To return a year later, this time for our everyday work in the classroom, feels especially meaningful.
It is humbling to see that what we do for our community is seen, appreciated and acknowledged by our community and partners. That recognition means a great deal to a small organisation working hard to make a difference.
A community that sees our work
The September newsletter includes a full page on Community Upskilling, introduced as a group helping local people improve their English, build confidence and feel more connected to their community.
It describes our English for beginners and English conversation sessions, where people can practise their language skills and learn more in a friendly and welcoming environment. Just as importantly, it recognises what those sessions do beyond language: helping people make new friends, become more confident and feel part of the local community.
Learning at your own pace
“Community Upskilling helps people feel more confident using English in everyday life. The group is a safe and friendly place where everyone can learn at their own pace, ask questions, have support and improve people’s mental health.”
Yolanda, our group co-ordinator, shared those words with the newsletter. She also spoke about the moment that matters most to her: watching people grow in confidence and become more comfortable speaking English.
“It is wonderful to see people grow in confidence and become more comfortable speaking English. Everyone brings their own experiences, and the group learns from each other.”
Why this recognition matters
At Community Upskilling, we support our community, including asylum seekers and refugees, through English language and ICT courses, interpreting, employability skills and wellbeing programmes. Much of this work happens with limited resources, and it relies on the commitment of volunteers, partners and learners themselves.
To be featured in a newsletter read by local residents is a reminder that the work is visible. It motivates us to carry on teaching English, digital literacy and employability skills, and to keep delivering wellbeing programmes that support and empower members of our communities wherever possible.
It also reminds us why we began: to help people build the skills, knowledge and confidence to take part fully in society, and to feel at home in their community.
Thank you, Pendleton Together
Thank you to Pendleton Together for the feature and for continuing to champion the work of community organisations across Salford.
Thank you also to our partners and supporters:
- Salford City Council
- Forever Manchester
- Salford ESOL
- Asda Foundation
- Postcode Lottery UK
- The National Lottery Community Fund
- Autotrader
- Salford Loaves and Fishes
