What
Our mental health encompasses our psychological, emotional and social wellbeing. This means it impacts how we feel, think and behave each day. Our mental health also contributes to our decision-making processes, how we cope with stress and how we relate to others in our lives. It impacts on our thoughts, behaviours and emotions. Being healthy emotionally can promote how effectively we can do important activities like work, school or caregiving. It plays an important part in the health of your relationships and allows you to adapt to changes in your life and cope with adversity.
Why
Connecting with other people in your community is a great way to improve your mental health as it helps to give you a sense of belonging and to share experiences and emotional support. Likewise, learning new skills or getting new hobbies can help boost your confidence and give you a sense of purpose. We provide a whole range of free activities in your community that can help you to do this. There’s something for everyone!
Who
Our social and special interest groups are for anyone who lives or works in Salford. You must be aged 18+ to book onto a session. Children can be brought to sessions where stated.
Where
Our social and special interest groups take place across Salford, in every Neighbourhood, at a location or venue near you.
Take a look below – we’re confident there is a group or activity just waiting for you to get started with!
How to book
We’ve broken our social and special interest groups down into topic areas below. To book on to any session, you can do any of the below 2 options:
- Call 0800 952 1000 and select option 2
- Email health.improvement@salford.gov.uk including the details of the session you wish to book on for
If you would like to discuss anything before booking, or for further information on any of our social and special interest groups, call us free on 0800 952 1000 (option 2), Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm.
You can also follow our Facebook page or Twitter for lots of handy hints and tips.
Quick links to activities:
Keeping well
This course will include improving confidence and increasing motivation, managing stress, developing assertiveness, and finding out what is happening in the area.
| Day | Timings | Location | Frequency | Extra information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 12.30pm to 2pm |
Eccles Eccles Gateway, Barton Lane, Eccles M30 0TU |
Monday from 9 January 2023 to 6 February 2023 |
Each week we will cover a different topic designed to support you to manage your health and wellbeing. The course will include improving confidence, increasing motivation, managing stress, developing assertiveness, meeting new people and finding out what’s happening in the area. |
| Tuesday | 10.45am to 12.15pm |
Swinton Salvation Army, Station Road, Swinton |
Every Tuesday from 24 January 2023 to 28 February 2023 |
Each week we will cover a different topic designed to support you to manage your health and wellbeing. The course will include improving confidence, increasing motivation, managing stress, developing assertiveness, meeting new people and finding out what’s happening in the area. |
| Wednesday | 1.30pm to 2.30pm |
Irlam Irlam and Cadishead Academy, Station Road, Irlam, M44 5BX |
Every Wednesday - ongoing |
Each week we will cover a different topic designed to support you to manage your health and wellbeing. The course will include improving confidence, increasing motivation, managing stress, developing assertiveness, meeting new people and finding out what’s happening in the area. |
Get cooking
For all types of cooking related activities. This includes quick and easy cooking, cooking on a budget, healthy cooking and so on.
| Day | Timings | Location | Frequency | Extra information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 1.30pm to 2.30pm |
East Broughton Community Centre, Great Clowes Street, M7 1ZQ |
Starts 18 January to 15 February |
Cooking on a budget including tips on how to make your money go further |
| Wednesday | 1pm to 3pm |
Worsley Boothstown Community Centre, Standfield Drive, Boothstown, M28 1NB |
Begins 22 February to 22 March |
Indian cooking Learn how to make authentic Indian meals from scratch! No jars required only raw ingredients! |
| Thursday | 1.30pm to 3pm |
East St James Church, Great Cheetham Street East, M7 4UH |
Starts 10 January to 16 February |
Cooking on a budget including tips on how to make your money go further |
Brew and a chat
Come along and share a hot drink and socialise. Aimed at reducing social isolation.
| Day | Timings | Location | Frequency | Extra information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 2.30pm to 4pm |
Claremont Ranulph Court, King Street, Salford, M6 7GX |
Monday – ongoing | The team can discuss how you can manage your health and wellbeing. Find out what’s happening in your area. Come along and meet some of the residents, join in for fun and social activities. |
| Tuesday | 10.30am to 12 noon |
Claremont John Atkinson Court, Off Tootal Drive, Weaste M5 5FY |
Every week, rolling programme, no booking required | The team can discuss how you can manage your health and wellbeing. Find out what’s happening in your area. Come along and meet some of the residents, join in for fun and social activities. |
| Thursday | 9.30am to 11am |
Claremont The Vine Community Hub, Cholmondeley Road, M6 8EJ |
Every Thursday – ongoing |
Drop in for a brew and chat. No booking required. Find out about other free activities and groups available in your area which may interest you. |
| Thursday | 3pm to 4pm |
Little Hulton/Walkden Parr Fold Park, M28 7DU
|
Every Thursday – ongoing |
Come for a brew and a chat after our Wellness Walk |
| Friday | 10am to 11.30am |
Claremont Elmwood Church Eccles Old Road, Salford, M6 8AG |
Begins 17 February 2023 - ongoing |
The team can discuss how you can manage your health and wellbeing. Find out what’s happening in your area. Come along and meet some of the residents, join in for fun and social activities. |
Social activities
This includes several activities including board and card games, quiz sessions, book clubs, film clubs and Chatterbox – our online group designed to tackle social isolation.
| Day | Timings | Location | Frequency | Extra information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 9.15am to 10.15am |
Eccles Meet at the entrance to Eccles Recreation Ground, Oxford Street, Eccles, M30 0FG |
Every Monday - ongoing |
Ladies only walk and talk Leisurely social walk around local greenspace |
| Tuesday | 10am to 11am |
Online Skype |
Every Tuesday - ongoing |
Chatterbox An online group designed to tackle social isolation. Sessions vary. As well as chatting we host fun online quizzes, gentle chair yoga, mindfulness, and relaxation sessions. If you would like to join but do not have a device we have some to offer (criteria applies). We also offer support to teach you how to use the device, and can attend your home to help you get tech savvy. |
| Tuesday | 1pm to 3pm |
Worsley Beesley Green Community Centre Greenleach Lane Worsley M28 2QW |
Every Tuesday - ongoing |
Board games and friendship social group
|
| Tuesday | 2pm to 3pm |
Ordsall Holm Court, M6 5FN |
Every Tuesday 10 January 2023 to 7 February 2023 |
Assortment of different board games |
| Tuesday | 3pm to 5pm |
Irlam |
Every Tuesday - ongoing |
Rainbow Social for LGBTQ+ |
| Wednesday | 4pm to 5pm |
Ordsall Pendleton Gateway, M6 5FX |
Wednesday 1 February 2023 to 22 February 2023 |
Thrifty Plates Thrifty Plates is a four-week slow cooker course where we talk about how to cook cost effective, energy efficient delicious slow cooker meals. |
| Wednesday | 4pm to 5.30pm |
Swinton Swinton Gateway 100 Chorley Road, Swinton, M27 6BP |
First course: 4, 11, 18, 25 January 2023 Second course: 1, 8, 15, 22 February 2023 Third course: 1, 8, 15, 22 March 2023 |
Thrifty Plates Thrifty plates is a four-week slow cooker course where we talk about how to cook cost effective, energy efficient delicious slow cooker meals. |
| Wednesday | 12 noon to 2pm |
Little Hulton/Walkden Guild Hall, M28 3AS |
Every Wednesday - ongoing |
GOLD Luncheon Club with dominos, aimed at reducing social isolation. Booking is essential. £5 per two course meal. |
| Thursday | 10.30am to 11.30am |
Ordsall Hawkshaw Court, M5 4SD |
Every Thursday |
Assortment of different board games |
| Thursday | 2pm to 3pm |
Ordsall Salford Women's Centre M6 7AB |
Thursday 12 January 2023 to 2 February 2023 |
Thrifty Plates |
| Thursday | 4pm to 6pm |
East Broughton Hub, Rigby Street, M7 4BQ
|
Starts 2 February 2023 to 23 February 2023 |
Thrifty Plates |
| Friday | 10am to 11.30am |
Claremont Height Library, Kings Street, |
Ongoing |
Come and have a chat with other residents and try your hand at some puzzles and board games. |
| Friday | 1pm to 3pm |
Eccles |
Every Friday - ongoing |
Young at heart Social support group. Have a cup of tea and a chat and make new friends. |
Positive you
This course enables participants to develop strategies to act in a more confident manner, learn skills to improve their self-esteem, learn effective ways to deal with stress, methods to relax, improve mental health, and develop skills to think in a more positive manner.
| Day | Timings | Location | Frequency | Extra information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | 10.30am to 12.30pm |
Little Hulton/Walkden The Big Local, Little Hulton District Centre, Longshaw Drive, M28 0BA |
Every Friday - dates to be confirmed | A course designed to build confidence and self-esteem. Look at life in a more positive manner. |
Sewing together
Activities incorporating sewing/dress making.
| Day | Timings | Location | Frequency | Extra information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10am to 12pm |
Claremont |
Every Monday - ongoing |
Suitable for beginners and all abilities. The session will not only include sewing and craft but also improving confidence, increasing motivation, managing stress, developing assertiveness, meeting new people and finding out what other social groups are running in the local area. |
| Tuesday | 10am to 12pm |
Worsley Boothstown Community Centre, Standfield Drive, M28 1NB |
Every Tuesday - ongoing |
Basic sewing Come and join us, learn to use sewing machines, make friends and find out about other opportunities in the area. |
| Thursday | 9.30am to 12pm |
Eccles Eccles Town Hall, Church Street, Eccles, M30 0LH |
Every Thursday from 12 January 2023 |
Beginners sewing Basic machine sewing for all levels. |
Get crafty
All craft-based activities including card making, creating artwork, upcycling and so on.
| Day | Timings | Location | Frequency | Extra information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 4pm to 6pm |
East Broughton Hub, Rigby Street, M7 4BQ |
Every second and fourth Tuesday of the month starting 7 February 2023 to 21 March 2023 | Beginner’s Art group covering various disciplines |
| Thursday | 1pm to 3pm |
Eccles Eccles Town Hall, Church Street, M30 0LH |
Every Thursday - ongoing | Arts and Crafts group including Drawing, Painting, Knitting and Crocheting. All abilities welcome. |
Green fingers
All types of indoor or outdoor based activities which include planting, gardening, growing fruit and vegetables and so on.
We're currently working on our green fingers timetable, please check back soon.
| Day | Timings | Location | Frequency | Extra information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| To be confirmed | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | To be confirmed |
Relaxation
This includes sound relaxation, being creative using paint, women only relaxation activities and so on.
| Day | Timings | Location | Frequency | Extra information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 12pm to 1pm |
Claremont Langworthy Cornerstone, 451 Liverpool Street, Salford, M6 5QQ |
Every Tuesday - ongoing (booking essential) |
Sound relaxation Relax and rejuvinate with a restorative sound relaxation session. Five weekly sessions on a rolling programme. Booking required. |
| Tuesday | 2pm to 3pm |
Eccles Eccles Gateway, 28 Barton Lane, M30 0TU |
Every Tuesday - ongoing | Relaxation session to help you manage the stress and anxiety of daily life. |
What’s on in my local area?
A regular sign posting and information sharing session led by the Community Development team. To promote groups, encourage participation and let people know where they can go to for help and support. This can be a drop-in session.
| Day | Timings | Location | Frequency | Extra information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 9am to 4.30pm |
East |
Last Monday at every month |
Out with the Van in East Salford |
| Monday | 10am to 12pm |
Claremont |
Every Monday - ongoing |
Come and have a brew and chat and find out what’s on in your area. |
We Recover (Long COVID support)
We Recover - Long COVID support group for people who still have ongoing symptoms of COVID and want to share their experiences. Come and have a chat in a warm and friendly environment. Get hints and tips on your road to recovery. We can offer support and guidance around finance, debt, health and wellbeing, Long COVID health checks, stop smoking, weight management, three month gym/swim pass (pending certain criteria).
You can book on to either our virtual sessions via Microsoft Teams or join our face-to-face group.
| Day | Timings | Location | Frequency | Extra information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 6pm to 7.30pm |
Online Microsoft Teams Online |
Every Tuesday - ongoing | Long COVID support Group - virtual |
| Thursday | 1pm to 2.30pm |
Swinton Humphrey Booth Resource Centre, 16 Worsley Road, Swinton, M27 5WW |
Every Thursday - ongoing | Long COVID support Group - face-to-face |
Drug and alcohol addiction support
Groups such as ‘Plan B’ and other similar activities organised to support people to recover from drug and alcohol addiction.
We're currently working on our timetable, please check back soon.
| Day | Timings | Location | Frequency | Extra information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| To be confirmed | To be confirmed |
To be confirmed |
To be confirmed | To be confirmed |
Spectrum group
A parent-peer support group for parents/carers whose children have been diagnosed with or going through an assessment process for ASD.
| Day | Timings | Location | Frequency | Extra information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | 10am to 12pm |
East Energise Centre 3 Douglas Street, Salford, M6 6ES |
The first Friday of every month - ongoing | A parent peer support group for parents/carers whose children have been diagnosed with or are going through an assessment process for ASD. |
Menopause support group
A friendly menopause support group for all. Why not come along and have a chat.
| Day | Timings | Location | Frequency | Extra information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 7pm to 8pm |
Irlam Hamilton Davies House, Liverpool Road, Cadishead, M44 5BG |
The first Thursday of the month | Support and information about menopause. Everyone welcome. |
This page was last updated on 31 January 2023