It has been an incredibly busy, rewarding, and varied week here at Salford Community Upskilling. From providing crucial day-to-day casework support to getting caught in the rain on a community walk, our team and participants have been out and about making the most of everything our wonderful city has to offer.
Here is a little look back at our week in a nutshell!
Essential Support and Casework
A core part of what we do is ensuring that our community members have the practical help they need to navigate everyday life in the UK. This week, our team was hard at work carrying out vital casework. We supported individuals with navigating complex online forms for housing, applying for Universal Credit, and assisting with appeals applications. Navigating these systems can be incredibly daunting, especially for those new to the country, and we are proud to offer a guiding hand to ensure everyone gets the support they are entitled to.
Wellbeing Matters: Drawing for Health
Taking care of our mental health is just as important as sorting out practicalities. This week, we hosted our Wellbeing Matters session focusing on ‘Drawing for Health’, in wonderful collaboration with Salford CVS. As you can see from our recent video highlights, it was a beautifully relaxing session. Participants gathered around the table with canvases, paints, and fresh fruit, letting their creativity flow. Art is a fantastic, universal language that helps to relieve stress, build confidence, and foster friendships amongst refugees and asylum seekers.
Walking with The Ramblers (and braving the rain!)
You can’t plan an outdoor activity in Greater Manchester without expecting a bit of rain! We teamed up with The Ramblers for a refreshing community walk. Before setting off, we filmed a short, handy video on what to pack for a walking day out. It was a good thing we prepared, as we ended up getting absolutely soaking wet! Despite the downpour, spirits remained high, and it was a brilliant way to enjoy the local environment, keep active, and share a few laughs.
Salford City Ceremonial Mayor’s Charity Event
To top off a fantastic week, we were honoured to support the Salford City Ceremonial Mayor’s Charity event: Music and Dance around the World. We came together with other fantastic local organisations including Salford Loaves and Fishes, Connect Talent CIO, and various community groups. It was a spectacular celebration of culture, diversity, and solidarity. Seeing different communities come together to share music, dance, and joy is exactly what Salford is all about.
