Meet your community development team
Did you know Salford has Community Development Workers who can support you to start a group, apply for funding, build local partnerships, and take action on issues that matter in your neighbourhood? We're here to help you strengthen your community and make lasting change.
Left to right: Sandra, Suzanne, Amy, Rob, Jean-claude, Renee and Mariusz
What is community development?
Community development is a collaborative process that brings people together to take collective action and create positive change in their neighbourhoods. By working together, local residents and partners can identify common challenges, develop solutions, and improve the overall quality of life in the community.
At its core, community development empowers individuals and groups by providing them with the tools, skills, and resources needed to make a lasting impact. It focuses on key principles such as:
- Participation: Ensuring that local people are actively involved in decision-making and shaping the future of their community.
- Capacity building: Helping people develop the knowledge and skills they need to bring about meaningful change.
- Social justice: Promoting fairness and equality, ensuring everyone has access to opportunities and resources.
- Sustainability: Creating solutions that are built to last, benefiting both current and future generations.
- Partnership building: Encouraging collaboration between residents, organisations, and local government to achieve shared goals.
Community development can take many forms, from improving local services and infrastructure to fostering stronger social connections, enhancing health and wellbeing, and creating new opportunities for employment and education. Together, we can build a more vibrant, resilient Salford where everyone can thrive.
How to get involved
Getting involved in your community is a great way to make a difference and improve your local area. Whether you're interested in starting a new project, volunteering, or linking up with other organisations, we’re here to help.
If you have an idea for a community group, our Community Development Workers can guide you through the process of setting it up. We can also help you find and apply for funding to support your group's long-term success, ensuring you have the resources you need to thrive.
For those looking to tackle local priorities like health, employment, or social inclusion, we can work with you to identify the most pressing issues and develop initiatives to address them. We also offer support in finding volunteering opportunities in your area, helping you connect with causes that matter to you.
Already involved in a group? We can link you with other local organisations to share resources and ideas. Additionally, we can provide information about existing community projects, making it easy for you to discover what's happening and get involved.
For more information or to connect with your local Community Development Worker, get in touch with us at 0800 952 1000 (Option 2) or health.improvement@salford.gov.uk.
A snapshot of our work
| Project | Overview |
|---|---|
| Art of Gold, Eccles | Art of Gold is a community art group in Eccles that was supported to identify and apply for funding by their local Community Development Worker to strengthen its activities. The funding allowed the group to hire a qualified art tutor, purchase public liability insurance, and buy additional art materials. This support enabled the group to run regular, structured sessions in a safe environment, attracting more participants and offering a wider range of creative opportunities for local residents. |
| Hong Kong Arrivals, Swinton | In Salford, new arrivals from Hong Kong - some facing isolation, cultural adjustment, and barriers to integration - were supported through a range of community development activities aimed at improving wellbeing, employment prospects, and integration. With guidance from their local Community Development Worker, community members co-led initiatives such as weekly Mahjong games groups, employment and digital skills workshops, cultural celebrations, and non-clinical wellbeing sessions. Additional support included help with healthcare access and access to translated health materials. These activities reduced isolation, built confidence, and encouraged participants to take on leadership roles within the community. |
| Community Lunch Celebration, Claremont |
In June 2023, a community lunch at Height Methodist Community Church brought together over 50 local residents, community groups, and partners from the statutory and voluntary sectors. The event was a celebration and thank-you to those who supported the community during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, and it provided an opportunity to share information, network, and strengthen local connections. The role of Community Development Workers was central to the event—bringing organisations together, supporting collaboration, and promoting key public health messages tailored to the needs of those in attendance. The lunch reinforced the importance of helping grassroots groups grow and become sustainable, while showcasing the strength and diversity of community activity in Claremont. |
Who are your community development workers?
| Neighbourhood | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| Cadishead and Lower Irlam, Higher Irlam and Peel Green | Mariusz Janicki | mariusz.janicki@salford.gov.uk |
| Claremont, Weaste and Seedley | Suzanne Rigg | sue.rigg@salford.gov.uk |
| East Salford | Rob Hincks | robert.hincks@salford.gov.uk |
| Eccles, Barton and Winton | Sandra Kotanidis | sandra.kotanidis@salford.gov.uk |
| Little Hulton, Walkden North and Walkden South | Amy Morris-Hallsworth | amy.morris-hallsworth@salford.gov.uk |
| Swinton and Pendlebury | Renee Salter | renee.salter@salford.gov.uk |
| The Quays, Ordsall, Pendleton and Charlestown | Jean-Claude Pierr | jean-claude.pierr@salford.gov.uk |
| Worsley and Westwood Park, Boothstown and Ellenbrook | health.improvement@salford.gov.uk |