As we look back on the journey from January to now, we are incredibly proud of everything that has been happening at Community Upskilling.
We started 2026 with a new home, giving us a more stable and welcoming space from which to support our community. We celebrated our second anniversary, reflecting on how far we have come together, and were honoured to be recognised as a finalist in the Forever Manchester “Forever Futures” Award for our commitment to lifelong learning and skills development.
But the real story of this year is the people.
Week after week, our learners have been building their confidence through English language classes, conversation cafés and practical Life in the UK sessions. We have explored everything from everyday communication and formal documents to banking, local services, transport, culture and civic life — taking learning beyond the classroom through visits, walks, cooking, museums and conversations around our city.
We have continued our mission of breaking the digital divide, helping people develop essential digital skills, complete online forms, write professional emails, search and apply for jobs and access services independently. We celebrated learners completing the Learn My Way programme and progressing to further digital training.
Our Refugee Welcome Programme has helped newcomers build their English, understand life in Salford and Greater Manchester, access essential services and feel more confident navigating their new community. Through Refugee Week, My Salford Story, our Community Wall of Remembrance and our involvement in the 100 Your Salford centenary exhibition, we have also created spaces where people’s cultures, experiences and stories can be seen, heard and celebrated.
Health and wellbeing have remained at the heart of our work too. From men’s and women’s wellbeing sessions, walking, Tai Chi, yoga, dance, karaoke, creative activities and community gatherings, to our recent Love Your Heart cardiovascular awareness work, we have been bringing people together to reduce isolation, build friendships and support healthier lives.
We have also continued to make sure that lived experience has a voice, taking part in community consultations, partnership events, research and discussions that can help influence services and policies affecting refugees, asylum seekers and our wider community.
And alongside all of this has been the practical support that often happens quietly behind the scenes — one-to-one help, food support, budgeting guidance, advocacy, signposting and simply being there when somebody needs someone to turn to.
By July alone, we had delivered 217 activities and support sessions, recorded 1,112 participant attendances and provided more than 854 hours of learning, support and community engagement — and the work has continued since.
Every class, every conversation, every walk, every certificate, every shared meal and every new friendship represents another step towards greater confidence, independence and belonging.
None of this would be possible without our amazing learners, volunteers, directors, partners, funders, sponsors and supporters. Thank you for believing in what we do and for continuing to stand alongside our community.
2026 isn’t over yet — and neither are we.
We look forward to continuing to break barriers, build skills, strengthen wellbeing and create a community where everyone has the opportunity to learn, connect and thrive.
Together, we are building more than skills. We are building confidence, connection and community.
