Salford celebrating ten years as an Age-Friendly City

Salford’s tenth anniversary as a recognised World Health Organisation (WHO) Age Friendly City was celebrated at a special International Day of Older Persons conference on 1 October, organised by Age Friendly Salford at HOST in Media City, Salford Quays. The event brought together older residents, community organisations, health and care partners, local services and council representatives to reflect on the city’s achievements and explore new ways to support people to live well as they age.

Around 100 people attended the event, including Salford City Council Chief Executive Stephen Young and Councillor Jane Hamilton. Attendees heard inspiring stories from local organisations making a real difference in the lives of older people, took part in interactive workshops and joined discussions focused on healthy ageing, reducing inequalities and strengthening community connections.

Find out more about the work of Age Friendly Salford volunteers in this video:

Find out more about the Age Friendly Walk and Talk sessions for older people here:

Check these links to see some great examples:

• Salford’s Older Residents Lead the Way in Ageing Well: AIPP Project Delivers Lasting Impact in Pendleton and Charlestown (Age Friendly Salford)

• Listening to Our Streets: Walking and Wheeling Audit Report Now Available (Age Friendly Salford)

• Walking and Wheeling Audit Report 2025

• New Animation Aims to Inspire Older Adults to Get Involved in Health Research (Age Friendly Salford)

• "Heating or Eating": Age Friendly Salford participants attend Manchester Roundtable on Pensioner Poverty (Age Friendly Salford)

• A journey to active volunteering: Keith MacDougall’s Story (Age Friendly Salford)

• Developing Age Friendly Communities is an Emergent Post-Pandemic World (Age Friendly Salford)

• Ageing in Place Pathfinder (Age Friendly Salford)

All of Salford City Council’s provider services community hubs and cafes have Age-Friendly status. The hubs provide day care support for people with learning disabilities, complex health needs, autism, older people and respite care for people with dementia. They are:

• Alexandra Community Hub

• Brierley House Community Hub

• St Georges Community Hub

• Waterside Specialist Support (with multi-sensory room)

• Poppy Dementia Day Care

Age Well is Age UK Salford and Trafford's one-stop-shop prevention, recovery and resilience offer, designed to achieve greater wellbeing and population health across our city. It brings together practical support, social connection, and tailored advice so older people can stay safely at home, avoid unnecessary hospital readmissions, and live with dignity and independence.

From providing hot meals and emergency shopping to arranging aids an adaptations and connecting people to wider services, Age Well removes barriers and ensures the right help is in place when it matters most.

Alongside this, we tackle isolation and loneliness through inclusive activities and dementia support, helping people feel valued and connected.

This integrated approach not only improves lives but also reduces pressure on health and social care systems by preventing crisis and promoting resilience.

The impact data in this report demonstrates how Age Well is delivering real results for older people and for Salford.

Impact at a glance:

• 3,447 referrals to Age Well services

• 26,413 contacts with people

• 6,521 people accessing services

• 9 active volunteers

• 83% of individuals experienced improved health and wellbeing

• Referred to over 40 external teams and received referrals from 40 external teams

• 889 people living with dementia have been supported to maintain their independence for as long as possible

Since January 2026, Critchley Community Hub has been repositioning as a Live Well Space for older people, aligned with Salford’s Live Well vision. The aim is to provide an accessible, welcoming and preventative community hub where people can access information, support, activities and opportunities to improve their health, wellbeing and social connections. Through a "No Wrong Front Door" approach, people can access a range of support services in one trusted location.

Building on Critchley’s established role in tackling loneliness and social isolation, the Live Well Space brings together Age Well support, social prescribing pathways, information services, wellbeing activities and community partnerships to help older people remain independent, connected and well.

The space has evolved beyond a café or social venue. It now offers a dedicated consultation space and hosts chair-based falls prevention classes, Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) sessions, Adult Social Care support, intergenerational activities, Age Well sessions, digital support, carer support and a men’s mental health group.

Live Well Space Story 1:

A long-standing volunteer who has supported the café at Critchley Hub for many years was experiencing mobility issues, making it increasingly difficult for her to continue attending and carrying out their volunteering role.

The volunteer was supported through the Uber transport scheme while awaiting assistance from the CAB drop-in clinic to apply for a Blue Badge. This enabled her to continue attending the Hub regularly and remain involved in the café.

As a result, they have been able to maintain their volunteering role, stay connected to friends and fellow volunteers, and continue benefiting from the routine, companionship and sense of belonging that the Hub provides. Regular attendance has also helped to reduce feelings of isolation and support her overall wellbeing.

Reflecting on the impact, they said:

“I’m so grateful for the taxi, it makes such a difference being able to be around the other volunteers and it takes my mind off the pain in my knees.”

Live Well Space Story 2:

J lives with several disabilities, including deafness, cerebral palsy, a learning disability and a brain injury from birth. Although determined to remain independent, he struggles with telephone communication, has limited mobility, and can become frustrated when his needs are not fully understood. Historically, J had not accessed formal support services, relying instead on help from his family, particularly his step-sister who lives abroad and advocates on his behalf.

Through support at the Live Well Space, J was helped to identify and access a range of services to improve his safety, independence and wellbeing. Referrals were made to Adult Social Care for a needs assessment and to the Sensory Impairment Team to explore equipment and support for his hearing loss. Information and referrals were also provided for Care on Call, a home safety assessment from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, and practical support through Emmaus for a key safe, grab rails and a walking stick to support independent living. J had also been concerned about a crack in his windscreen for some time. We supported him to book an appointment for a replacement.

In addition, information was provided on nutrition, hydration, cleaning and shopping support, and arrangements were made for Salford Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) to assist with an Attendance Allowance application.

J is now connected to a range of services that will help him remain safe, independent and supported at home. His family have a clearer understanding of the help available, and his step-sister expressed relief that support was finally being put in place. By identifying unmet needs and coordinating referrals, the Live Well Space has helped ensure J can access the practical, financial and wellbeing support needed to improve his quality of life.

J - “Being able to pop in here and speak to someone in person has helped me. I feel like there’s less stress in my life now.”

Sister-in-law – “It’s such a relief knowing that there’s somewhere he can come to speak to someone when he needs support. I do what I can, but it’s extremely difficult living in a different country.”

Uber Project

Age UK Salford and Trafford was selected as one of only ten local Age UK organisations to take part in a national partnership between Age UK and Uber. The 18-month project provides both grant funding and Uber credits to help older people access support, activities and essential services that they may otherwise struggle to reach.

The project includes:

• £10,000 grant funding to strengthen existing services, including the development of Critchley as a city-wide Live Well Space and support for vulnerable older people and to contribute to the coordination of transport.

• £10,000 of Uber Credits which can be used for transport or food deliveries to help older people overcome barriers related to mobility, isolation, financial hardship or recovery following illness.

The funding is being used to support older people who might otherwise be unable to attend activities, appointments or social opportunities. Transport support helps people access the Critchley Live Well Space, dementia-friendly activities and other community services, while meal deliveries can support older people recovering at home following hospital discharge. The project was expected to directly benefit around 120 older people facing the greatest barriers to engagement.

Impact Story from Uber fund:

A resident contacted Age UK Salford and Trafford’s Eccles office seeking local social activities and was introduced to the hub. Following a conversation, they were supported to access the Uber transport scheme, enabling them to attend weekly sessions.

As a result of being the sole carer for their partner, they suffered a major heart attack, which left them unable to continue working and resulted in ongoing hearing, memory, balance and mental health challenges.

Following the loss of their partner, whom they had cared for, they experienced significant loneliness and isolation.

Since attending the hub, they stated they have built meaningful friendships, established a regular routine, and developed a stronger sense of belonging within their community.

Reflecting on the impact, they said:

“The benefit to me has been immeasurable. I was the carer for my partner and after they passed away, I found myself alone. I was so lonely. I’ve made some real friendships coming here, I’ve got continuity and coming here feels like a hug in a warm blanket.”

Voice and Influence:

Age Friendly Salford gives older residents meaningful opportunities to influence the services, spaces and policies that affect their daily lives. Through consultation activities, assessments and co-production, older people share their experiences directly with decision-makers, helping to shape improvements across the city.

Recent examples include work with Greater Manchester Police, where older residents assessed the accessibility and inclusiveness of the Swinton Public Enquiry Counter and provided recommendations that informed an action plan for service improvements. Older residents have also worked with Transport for Greater Manchester to review proposals for improvements to the Route 50 bus corridor, influencing plans around crossings, pavements, bus stops and passenger safety. Together, these projects demonstrate how the voices of older people are helping create a more accessible, inclusive and age-friendly Salford.

Dementia Café

The Dementia Café is a welcoming social group for families affected by dementia. The group meets every other Tuesday at St Thomas's Church in Clifton and provides a supportive environment where people can connect with others who share similar experiences, access peer support, have the opportunity to speak with a Dementia Specialist, and take part in a range of engaging activities. The group also offers a valuable opportunity for consultation on local issues, services, and community projects that affect people living with dementia and their families.

What does good nutrition and hydration look like for those living with dementia?

Recently, members discussed what good nutrition and hydration look like for people living with dementia. This session was facilitated by Salford City Council’s Health Improvement Team and explored practical ways to maintain a healthy diet, recognise the signs of dehydration, and overcome some of the challenges that people living with dementia may experience around eating and drinking. Members shared their own experiences and tips, making the session both informative and engaging.

GM Dementia Standards

The group has also been consulted with by Salford City Council on the Greater Manchester Dementia Standards. During this session, members drew on their personal experiences to provide valuable feedback on how well they felt services in Salford currently met the standards and identified areas where further improvements could be made. Their insights helped ensure that the views of people affected by dementia were reflected in local planning and service development.

Empowered Conversations

Most recently, the group met with a representative from Empowered Conversations to discuss the importance of developing skills and understanding to better support people living with dementia, particularly when communication or behaviour can be difficult to understand. Members also learned about the one-to-one carer support available through Talking Therapies and shared their own experiences and perspectives, helping to shape discussions around the support needed by people living with dementia and their carers.

Salford Welfare Rights and Debt Advice Service (WRADAS), in partnership with Little Hulton and Walkden Primary Care Network (PCN), carried out a focused Attendance Allowance (AA) take-up project aimed at increasing the income and wellbeing of older residents across the area. GP practices within the PCN identified potentially eligible patients and issued targeted letters. WRADAS supported this by providing expert advice and support for those who came forward. WRADAS also attended practice events to raise awareness of AA and wider welfare rights support.

Between October and November 2025, hundreds of letters were distributed across participating GP practices. Out of 162 AA cases handled citywide during the project period 83 per cent came from the pilot PCN area, demonstrating substantial engagement and increased awareness created by the initiative, including awareness of the support available through “ word-of-mouth” .

Confirmed financial gains during the first stage of this project total £80,036.66 in additional welfare benefit income for local residents. These include AA claims but also consequential entitlements such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, and Severe Mental Impairment (SMI) Council Tax exemptions. Many clients had significant increases in household income, improving financial stability and reducing hardship. Case studies showed residents are now heating their homes, affording adequate food, maintaining independence, and sustaining important social connections.

Follow-up evaluations highlighted reduced stress, improved confidence, and greater understanding of where to seek help in future. Many residents reported increased independence through being able to pay for essential support such as cleaning or gardening, helping delay or prevent the need for adult social care. Overall, the project has significantly increased income and enhanced wellbeing within the area where support was provided.

In 2024 Salford City Council ran a campaign to urge people of pension age in the city to apply for pension credit to get information out as widely as possible to support vulnerable people and Salford residents’ and families’ health and wellbeing and help tackle poverty.

It was estimated around £8.6m in pension credit went unclaimed in Salford, and so older people were urged to apply to ensure they could have help and be able to claim other benefits.

Adult Social Care community drop-in sessions are bringing information, advice and support directly into neighbourhoods across Salford. By offering friendly conversations in accessible community settings, they help residents discover local activities, connect with support networks and access practical solutions that can improve wellbeing and maintain independence.

No appointment is needed. Just drop in for a chat about staying independent, improving your wellbeing, finding local activities, accessing support, or getting advice for yourself or someone you care for.

We have several community hubs across Salford that provide support and social opportunities for people with learning or physical disabilities, older people, and people living with dementia. One of these is Humphrey Booth Resource Centre. Read more about the great experiences local people have shared.

Marion, 79 years old

“I first started to attend Humphrey Booth in 2016 with my husband, who had a diagnosis of dementia, for the Dancing with Dementia music sessions. As his dementia progressed, it became necessary for him to attend Poppy Day Support. From Poppy Day Support he moved on to a care home and passed away in 2019. I began volunteering in 2022 following Covid and became part of the constituted group `Aspire to Age Better' continuing to attend and be very involved in all the activities and events. I would sum Humphrey Booth up by saying it is a lifeline for people, it is welcoming and much better than sitting at home dwelling on the past.”

Gail, 86 years old

“I first brought my sister to Humphrey Booth for Curling in 2016, and I have been here ever since. I began running the curling sessions when the person from the Health Improvement team became ill and continue to this day. I am also involved with all the other activities and ran the finances for the group until my health deteriorated last year. Coming to Humphrey Booth and being a part of such a great community venue is the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Maggie, 80 years old

“I lost my husband and came to Humphrey Booth to see one of the CMHT counsellors. On my way out one day I began to talk to Gail and asked what she was doing (folding napkins for an event) and she said why not come and help. I am still fit and healthy and attend Humphrey Booth every day except Monday. I thank Gail for our meeting that day and she has been a tower of strength. I am always happy when I go away that I have my volunteering to come home to.”

Kevin, 89 years old

“I first knew about Humphrey Booth when I brought my wife to Poppy for day support in 2019. When my wife passed away, I continued to attend and take part in all the activities and feel very much part of something. My family drop me off every day or I get a taxi. It has been so valuable for me to have somewhere to go that is welcoming and safe, with people looking out for me and each other.”

Intergenerational Dance

In April, the team came together with Salford Community Leisure, Big Dance and Little Hulton Live Well, to deliver an intergenerational dance session as part of the Salford 100 Centenary celebrations.

Participants joined in a range of both standing and seated accessible dance routines, before some of the young people from the SCL School of Dance showed off their routines, they then came together to share tea, snacks and conversation.

Anne, from the Big Dance Group said, “This morning has been fantastic, it has really encouraged us older people to keep moving! It has been great to have the children come in today, and to see what they can do!”

With participants ranging from just nine years old, all the way up to 94, this session was the perfect celebration of the whole community!

Call Inn Cafe

Covid and flu vaccinations: The spring vaccination clinic was delivered in partnership with the Primary Care Network and the local community café, following the success of the winter flu and Covid clinic. Nine vaccinations were given, showing that residents continue to use trusted community venues for support. The clinic strengthened local partnership working and demonstrated the value of community based delivery.

Healthy Hearts

Many older people who live alone are reluctant to buy bags of fruit and vegetables because they cannot use them all before they spoil, leading to food waste. By offering individual portions, people can take only what they need, making it more likely they will eat fresh, healthy foods as part of a balanced diet. Having access to fresh produce can also encourage healthier home cooking and support better heart health. The Call Inn Café volunteers listens to suggestions from local people about which items would help them make healthier choices. This approach also helps reduce shopping costs by preventing waste.

Mature Movers – Exercise and Dance group

Mature Movers are based at Wharton and Cleggs Lane Church and provide dance and exercise classes for the older generation in the evenings. Many people who attend live with issues such as high blood pressure, low fitness, stress, or long-term conditions that make regular exercise difficult.

Some are carers or people living with dementia, who often have very few suitable activity options. For several participants, this class is the only movement they get each week, so it plays an important role in helping them take care of their physical and emotional wellbeing. The sessions use simple dance-based routines that gradually increase heart rate, boost circulation, and strengthen the muscles people rely on day to day.

Over time, this helps improve stamina, balance, and confidence. Because the group is led by an experienced tutor, everyone is supported to move safely and at a pace that feels right for them, which helps people stick with it and build long term habits. Participants are also given a small bag of equipment and shown easy exercises they can repeat at home. These short bursts of movement help people stay active between sessions and encourage healthier routines that support long term heart health.

Mature Movers is particularly for people who need an evening activity because daytime sessions are not accessible to them. The group attracts a mix of local residents, including people who work during the day, people with long-term health conditions, and individuals who are socially isolated. The project is especially valuable for people who have limited opportunities for physical activity and rely on low cost, community-based sessions to support their health and wellbeing.

CommUNITY Little Hulton became a registered charity in 2019. Since then it has grown significantly in both reach and impact:

• Membership growth from 760 members in 2022 to more than 1,470 members by 2026

• Annual income increase from £15,145 in 2020/21 to over £250,000 in 2024/25

• Peel Park Pavilion becoming a thriving community hub used seven days a week

• Recognition as Salford’s first Live Well Centre

Their growth has been driven by listening to local people, responding to community need and building strong partnerships across Little Hulton and Salford, including with local housing provider ForHousing.

Activities and support include:

• Youth Unity youth provision

• SEND support and targeted activities

• Food Club and essentials support

• Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programmes

• Community cooking and wellbeing activities

• Volunteering and employment pathways

• Community events and social groups

• Information, advice and signposting services

Every week, Peel Park Pavilion welcomes residents through its doors for activities, support, friendship and connection.

One of the biggest differences the organisation makes is helping people feel connected, supported and part of their community.

Many residents who access the services describe Peel Park Pavilion as:

• a safe space

• a welcoming environment

• somewhere they feel accepted without judgement

Residents regularly say attending activities has:

• improved confidence

• reduced isolation

• supported mental wellbeing

• helped build friendships and support networks

Beesley Green community centre

Line Dancing Group have been using the community centre for more than years. Sessions take place regularly and are open to people of all abilities, with three different classes available to ensure everyone can participate at a level that is suitable for them. The group is made up of members all over the age of 60 and provides a fun and sociable way for attendees to stay active, meet new people and enjoy themselves. New members are always welcomed.

Boothtown Community Centre

Cafe 55 have been using the centre for more than 25 years. The session is run by a dedicated team of 15 volunteers who come together to cook and serve a lovely three-course meal for elderly members of the community. The meals are provided at a very low cost, making them affordable and accessible to those who attend. As well as providing a nutritious and enjoyable meal, Cafe 55 offers a welcoming and friendly environment where older people can socialise, meet others and enjoy regular companionship. New members are always welcomed.

Rainbow Rooms Community Centre

The centre holds social community groups for knitting, crotchet, arts and crafts, quizzes, bingo and light refreshments, dance sessions for the elderly and chair based exercises for the elderly.

Clifton Community Centre

Art Group have been using Clifton Community Centre for more than 15 years. Sessions take place for people aged over 50, where attendees participate in different types of arts and crafts. They make beautiful items such as Christmas Cards, bookmarks, and knitted flowers.

Clifton Community Centre

The centre has Age Friendly status and hosts Health Hearts Zumba Gold, a dance class for the over 60s, which has been running for almost ten years. They also use Wardley Community Centre each Wednesday. This is a very popular class with many local people attending. The group also have regular social outings which any class participant can attend.

Wardley Community Centre

This centre also has Age Friendly status.

The trust provides support for HIV+ people living in the north west of England with services including advice, information, health and well-being, housing and related support, and sexual health.

Ageing Well, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, delivers support and services for people aged 50+ who are living with HIV in Greater Manchester and Liverpool.

The core focus on Ageing Well goes far beyond the health inequalities faced, and harnesses the skills, strengths, solidarity and solutions to support people living with HIV to age well.

As people living with HIV are getting older and are facing challenges like isolation due to their HIV status, this service helps ensures older people living with HIV are not forgotten and get the support and community they need and deserve.

Through building partnerships with local organisations such as Age UK Salford and Trafford, NHS, Salford MIND and many more partners, we share knowledge within the community to ensure older people living with HIV lead healthy lives free from stigma and discrimination.

The trust has a staff and volunteer network within Ageing Well and the wider George House team with a shared knowledge in matters which affect older people, including retirement and pensions, confidence in travel, community inclusion, housing, civic participation and employment, benefits advice, health advice, promotion of bone health and frailty prevention, accessing social services support and advising on care choices.

99 per cent of people who were supported by Ageing Well over the past 12 months reported feeling more connected and less isolated, while 98 per cent said that through engagement with the project, their confidence in ageing with HIV has improved.

Worsley 50PLUS Job Club

As part of Worsley's Innovation Hub approach, 50PLUS Work Coach’s designed and delivered a seven-week job club for older jobseekers. Each session focused on a different aspect of employment support, including job applications, job searching, interview presentation, communication skills, cover letters and practical job search activity, with support from the National Careers Service.

The pilot programme supported a cohort of nine claimants who attended all seven sessions together, helping to build confidence, peer support and engagement. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with all participants reporting satisfaction with the workshops, describing them as clear, supportive, tailored to individual needs and confidence-building.

Participants particularly valued the practical employability skills, CV support, group interaction and the opportunity to learn alongside others with shared experiences. One participant secured two job offers during the programme and has since accepted a role within DWP.

Following the success of the pilot, a further three 50PLUS Job Clubs were delivered in Worsley, each running over a nine-week period. Analysis of participants who attended more than half of the sessions has demonstrated some excellent outcomes:

• 53% moved into employment and are no longer claiming Universal Credit.

• 10% progressed into training and skills development opportunities.

• 10% moved onto a health journey, ensuring they received the appropriate support to address barriers to work.

• 27% remain on Universal Credit, although there has been positive progress within this group, including one participant who is now close to returning to work after receiving dental treatment that significantly improved their confidence.

These results highlight the effectiveness of the programme in supporting older jobseekers to improve their employability, build confidence and move closer to, or directly into, sustainable employment. The data reinforces the value of tailored, group-based interventions for the 50PLUS cohort and demonstrates the positive impact of innovative approaches within Jobcentre services.

Following the identification of a growing need for support with AI in job searching and recruitment, Greater Manchester’s 50PLUS District Champions developed a tailored employment workshop for customers aged 50 and over.

The programme equipped participants with practical skills in using AI to understand job adverts, tailor CVs and applications, prepare for interviews and navigate modern recruitment systems safely. By increasing digital confidence and awareness, the initiative helped 50PLUS customers adapt to labour-market changes and compete more confidently alongside younger jobseekers.

The course was offered to all offices across Greater Manchester.

Eccles, Irlam, Salford and Worsley – AI customer feedback summary

Feedback from people who attended the AI in Finding Employment course at Eccles, Salford and Worsley was overwhelmingly positive. Customers reported increased confidence in using AI to support their job search, with many highlighting improvements in their ability to tailor CVs, cover letters and applications to specific vacancies.

A recurring theme was a much better understanding of how employers use AI and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) within recruitment. Learners felt more able to identify keywords, align their experience with job specifications and present themselves more effectively to employers. Several participants commented that the course had helped them understand how to get applications past initial screening processes.

Customers also reported greater confidence in interview preparation, researching employers and searching for opportunities more effectively. Many said AI tools would help them save time, improve the quality of applications and broaden the range of roles they felt confident applying for.

The feedback demonstrated increased digital confidence, with learners particularly valuing practical guidance on using AI responsibly for grammar, spelling, job searching, CV development and interview preparation. Several customers commented that the course had changed their perceptions of AI and provided skills they expected to use both in their job search and future employment.

Overall satisfaction was very high, with most learners awarding the course four or five out of five. Many described the course as helpful, useful and confidence-building, with some participants reporting that they had already secured interviews or employment after applying the techniques learned.