Councillors Champion Community Spirit Through Strong Partnership with Salford City Academy

With a commitment to supporting community-led initiatives and improvements through partnership working, Salford City Council and local Councillors have been helping at events aimed at local residents and young people in the city by supporting Salford City Academy and its Community Hub in Eccles.

Launched at the end of 2024, the Hub has been designed to inspire a stronger sense of community belonging and forming partnerships to help make a meaningful difference in the community and bring people together across generations and backgrounds.

Building on the success of previous events, Brookhouse in Bloom has been launched where volunteers and students come together to plant flowers and create a vibrant gardening project aimed at bringing colour and life to the Brookhouse Estate. Plans are also underway to expand the initiative next year, with potential collaborations involving RHS Bridgewater and Tindall Allotments.

Statutory Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Housing and Anti-Poverty, Councillor Tracy Kelly and Executive Support Member for Social Care and Mental Health, Councillor Mishal Saeed have been proud supporters of Brookhouse in Bloom, attending planning meetings and getting hands-on with planting alongside organisers, volunteers and students.

The working partnership has also seen continued support for the annual SCA Family Fun Festival, which attracted over 1,300 attendees this year. Sponsored by Salford City Council, the festival features music, stalls, fair rides and games, and is a highlight of the community calendar.

In addition to these flagship events, the Community Hub at Salford City Academy has become a cornerstone for local engagement, with regular activities including:

• Weekly Stay & Play sessions for children aged 0-4, open to all families.
• Monthly wellbeing events, including sound baths and wellness sessions.
• SEND coffee mornings to support families with special educational needs.
• Weekly litter picks to keep the community clean and connected.
• Festive celebrations, such as a free three-course Christmas meal for seniors and a 1940s-themed tea dance attended by nearly 100 residents.
• Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programmes in partnership with Salford Youth Service, offering free clubs for children eligible for free school meals.

Statutory Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Housing and Anti-Poverty, Councillor Tracy Kelly said: “As we work towards our vision of building a fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive Salford for all, ongoing collaborations like this exemplifies the power of partnership in building stronger, more vibrant communities.

“With continued support and a shared vision, we want Salford to thrive with the dedication of the council, local councillors and Salford City Academy together with passionate volunteers that put residents at the heart of everything.”

Councillor Mishal Saeed, Executive Support Member for Social Care and Mental Health at Salford City Council said: “It’s been fantastic to see how popular Brookhouse in Bloom has become with residents. Thanks to the organisers, volunteers and council officers, Brookhouse is looking more beautiful than ever, and our community truly appreciates it.

“It’s important that we play a vital role in supporting residents in community events, helping people to feel more connected in their area and improve residents’ lives. We want to build on these successes so that more people and communities can benefit from the opportunities that are available where they live.”

All events and initiatives are promoted through the Salford City Academy Community Hub Facebook page keeping residents up to date and involved.