Hello, I’m Josh, and I work as a Housing Officer in Eccles. I wanted to share something that really showed me the impact that community partnerships can have.
Back in 2024, ForHousing worked together with Salix Homes to support Salford Community Leisure by helping them install and upgrade nine new defibrillators across their leisure centres.
These devices were introduced to strengthen community safety and ensure visitors and staff have quick access to vital, lifesaving equipment whenever it’s needed.
As an organisation, we contributed towards the project. At the time, I knew it was important, but I didn’t fully realise just how much these devices could mean to someone in a moment of crisis.
Earlier this year, that became very real. In January 2026, a man suffered a heart attack in the changing rooms at Worsley Leisure Centre. Thanks to the quick actions of the staff, and the onsite defibrillator, he was resuscitated and taken into the care of paramedics. He survived. Hearing that was incredibly moving, and it brought home exactly why this work matters.
I recently visited Salford Community Leisure myself and spent time speaking with the Health and Fitness Customer Duty Manager Mark. Listening to him talk about how essential this equipment has become, not just for emergencies, but for giving staff and visitors a sense of safety and reassurance, really stayed with me.
Moments like this remind me why we do what we do. It’s about more than funding or equipment, it’s about people, their lives, and the small actions that can make the biggest difference when it matters most. Projects like this show that our role goes far beyond providing homes, it’s about creating environments where people feel protected, supported, and cared for.
