SALFORD
Festive events:
Eventbrite: is a great way to find out what’s going on over the festive season. Here’s a link to what’s on in Salford
- Have a look at Science & Industry Museum – What’s on | Science and Industry Museum
- Hive Wellbeing Hub Swinton – The Hive Wellbeing Hub and Community Café is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) community centre offering support and welfare advice to local residents. It provides a welcoming, inclusive environment where people can connect, build friendships, and feel part of a community. Serving fresh homemade meals, the hub also hosts a variety of activities and community events designed to tackle loneliness and isolation. These include: Hive 2 Home, Knit & Knatter, Veteran’s Lunch, Learn English, Puzzle Club, and Bee Creative.
- Christmas Play Streets holiday activities for 5-11 years. Free Christmas party with games, arts and crafts, face painting and more. Free party food lunch included for all children attending. For more details and to book, go to Play Streets – ForHousing
- Free Winter Festival Event at Ordsall Hall 14 December – Events for November 2025 – Ordsall Hall
- Quayside MediaCity is hosting its Christmas Makers Markets every weekend until Friday 21 December. You can find out more here Quayside MediaCityUK Christmas Makers Market – Media City UK
Volunteering opportunities:
- We rely on the support of our local community for food donations, volunteering and finances. Can you help us stop UK hunger?
- Please email communities@forhousing.co.uk to have a chat about what your interests are and to be matched to a project.
- Community Little Hulton need help from volunteers to help wrap presents on Tuesday 16 December. Please email communities@forhousing.co.uk to get involved.
Services and support:
While the main food banks are typically closed over the holidays, check with Citizens Advice Salford for information on emergency food parcels.
Mind:
- Mind’s Side by Side: Side by Side: our online community
This is a supportive online community for anyone experiencing a mental health problem that you can access anytime.
Immediate Support:
- Salford City Council Contact Centre: Reach them at 0161 631 4777 on ordinary working days.
Community Support and resources:
Visit their office at Eccles Gateway on ordinary working days from 10am to 2 pm. They can provide emergency food parcels and advice.
Check their website Salford CVS for information on community services and opening hours during the Christmas holidays.
Greater Manchester & National support services
Contact Us | Samaritans Call 116 123 for a free helpline available 24/7, including during the Christmas holidays. They offer support for people feeling isolated.
Loneliness
Loneliness can be exacerbated at times of year when it feels like others are spending a lot of time partying and celebrating together, and for many this has been worsened by social media. Remember that we only see a snapshot of people’s lives online, and it is completely normal to feel lonely sometimes. However, there are steps you can take to help manage these feelings, and support is available if you’re finding it hard to cope. Visit: https://gmintegratedcare.org.uk/loneliness
Loss, grief and bereavement
Grief is a normal response to bereavement and loss, and it can make times of celebration feel dauting. This advice (https://www.cruse.org.uk/understanding-grief/managing-grief/christmas/ ) is around coping with grief at Christmas, but can also apply to many other significant days and events. Local bereavement support organisations can be found here: https://greater-manchester-bereavement-service.org.uk/map/
Food and disordered eating
If you’re worried about your relationship with food, or you find yourself bingeing, restricting, or displaying other disordered behaviours around eating, you can access help from the NHS GM Mental Health Service. https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/eating-disorder-service
Gambling
If gambling is causing you or your loved ones harm, help is available from Beacon Counselling Trust https://beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk/gambling-related-harms/
Domestic abuse
Domestic abuse doesn’t just take the form of physical violence. If your partner or somebody you live with is demonstrating controlling, coercive, threatening,
degrading and/or violent behaviour towards you or another person in the home, or if you are displaying these behaviours towards somebody else, help is available. https://www.endthefear.co.uk/
Depression and suicidal thoughts
If you are feeling extremely low or are in crisis and are worried you might cause yourself harm, help is available here. https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/are-you-thinking-about-ending-your-life
