The solar-paneled wooden shed at Kersal Vale Allotments – dubbed Soil and Shed - has become something of a lifeline for ex-servicemen and women.

Soil and Shed is the brainchild of charity Lower Kersal Young People’s and Community Group (LKYPCG), which built the shed as a community hub for local groups and organisations using the allotment site. 

LKYPCG has now opened the shed doors to welcome in local war veterans who can get their hands dirty on the allotment site or just sit in their shed and share their experiences with their fellow comrades.

Thomas Lever MBE, who runs LKYPCG, said:

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“We are very proud to be working with the Royal British Legion to support former military men and women and help them meet new people and learn new skills.

“Some will join in on the allotments, while others have injuries they sustained in the forces, so they will sit in their wheelchairs with a cup-of-tea and share their stories.

“Ex-servicemen and women can often feel very isolated after leaving the forces. They sacrifice a lot, risk their lives and lose friends and comrades along the way, so Soil and Shed is the perfect place for them to socialise and reconnect with the armed forces community.”

 

The LKYPCG charity provides activities and opportunities for hundreds of people across Salford from its site at St Aidan’s Church and the neighbouring allotments on Littleton Road.

The charity previously had a shed on the allotment site, but it was too small to accommodate all the local groups and organisations that wanted to get involved, which has included local youth groups, refugees and people with mental health issues.

Now thanks to a £900 grant from Salford housing association Salix Homes through its Springboard fund, the charity has been able to build a much larger shed.

Mick Walsh, neighbourhood manager at Salix Homes, said:

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“Soil and Shed is a fantastic project, which Salix Homes is very proud to support.

“This garden shed has proved the most unlikely of meeting places for people from all walks of life, from war veterans to refugees, providing a lifeline for local people who may otherwise be feeling lonely and isolated.

“Soil and Shed has become a real community hub, and we look forward to seeing more local people in Salford using this fantastic facility to learn new skills, make friends and access help and support.”

 

The Springboard fund exists to support projects and initiatives in Salford that boost community spirit, promote health and wellbeing, reduce isolation or improve the environment.

Since launching the initiative last year, Salix Homes has donated more than £50,000 to community groups and projects in Salford.

To find out more about how to apply for a Springboard grant, go to: https://www.salixhomes.org/springboard

Salix Homes, which owns more than 8,300 properties in Salford, has recently been awarded the Institute of Customer Service (ICS) national ServiceMark accreditation.

ServiceMark is a national standard, which recognises an organisation's achievements in customer service, and its commitment to upholding those standards. 

The assessors were impressed with Salix Homes’ commitment to providing an ‘easy and efficient customer service experience’ and complimented employees for the level of care they show to customers.

The accolade comes after Salix Homes launched its new customer portal - My Salix – earlier this month enabling customers to access online housing services quicker and easier than ever before.Sue Sutton, executive director of operations at Salix Homes, said:

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“We are delighted to achieve this prestigious ServiceMark accreditation, particularly as we have just launched our new and improved customer portal – My Salix.

“Salix Homes is committed to continually improving services and we recognise that our customers are at the heart of everything we do. The assessors were impressed with our ‘right first time’ approach to ensure that when a customer contacts us they receive a tailored, personal and positive experience.

“We are particularly proud that the assessors also complimented our response to the Boxing Day floods in 2015, and more recently our actions taken since the Grenfell Tower tragedy to reassure and communicate with our tower block tenants.

“Our employees genuinely care about our customers and we empower them to deliver the best customer service experience possible, and this accolade is testament to all their hard work.”

 

As part of the assessment process, the assessors speak to employees as well as get feedback from customers to find out how they rate the service they receive.

Salix Homes has also just marked National Customer Service Week (October 2 – 6), where it launched the customer portal and unveiled its new Customer Service Charter, which sets out the housing provider’s commitment to delivering excellent customer services.

You can find out more about the new My Salix customer portal on the Salix Homes website https://www.salixhomes.org/mysalix

Salix Homes, which owns more than 8,300 properties across Salford, is inviting applications, both male and female, for its latest intake of apprentices to work on its multi-million pound investment programme.

The housing association has appointed its principal contractors to deliver its £38million improvement scheme to 2,900 homes across the city over the next three years.

For every £1million invested, Salix Homes and its contractors have committed to creating two apprenticeship positions for local people, as part of the housing associations ‘Earn as You Learn’ initiative.

Sue Sutton, executive director of operations at Salix Homes, said: “We are very proud to work alongside our partner contractors to provide these training and employment opportunities for local people to help them create a better life for themselves.

“We’ve had some tremendous success stories through our apprenticeship programmes - both male and female, so we believe it is important to remember construction in the housing sector is open to all and we want to see more women learning the tools of the trade.

“Only 14% of the workforce in the construction industry is female, but we believe it’s time for a change and women should be able to fulfil their potential and thrive in careers, such as plastering and joinery, that have previously been dominated by men.

“Apprentices represent the future of the sector and our Earn as Your Learn initiative provides a fantastic opportunity for young people, both men and women, to gain valuable skills, experience and qualifications while still taking home a wage.”

The two and three year apprenticeships are run in conjunction with procurement consortium Procure Plus and include positions in a number of principal trades, including plastering, gas engineering and site logistics.

Apprentices will also work towards an NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 qualification.

The apprentices will work alongside contractors Emanuel Whittaker, Sure, The Casey Group and A Connolly Ltd; as well as with Salix Homes’ own Repairs and Maintenance Team.

In the past two years, Salix Homes has recruited 45 apprentices to work across the organisation and with its partner contractors.

Jake Rawlinson, 22, from Swinton, is a joiner and carpentry apprentice with Salix Homes contractor Emanuel Whittaker and says he’d definitely recommend going down the apprenticeship route.

He said: “My father and uncle are in the building industry, and my interest grew after going out with them and seeing what happened. I also saw the potential to work and possibly progress to other things such as site management.

“I was fortunate enough to be given a great opportunity with Salix Homes and Emanuel Whittaker to do an apprenticeship which I really enjoy - working and being taught at the same time.  I would encourage anyone who is given a similar opportunity to take it up.”

To find out more about the apprenticeship opportunities available with Salix Homes contact Jackie Crook on 0161 779 8966 or email jackie.crook@salixhomes.org.

The project is the second phase of the Campus project being delivered by Vermont on behalf of X1. Phase one, approved last year, comprises 271 apartments in two eight-storey blocks on the adjacent site.

This element, designed by architects Falconer Chester Hall, is aimed primarily at post-graduate and mature students, and will require the demolition of an existing two-storey office building on the site.

The units will be housed in a 10-storey building on Frederick Road designed to complement the 271-apartment Campus project, which was approved last year. FCH said that the new building will offer a more active frontage onto the road than the current building, Irwell House.

Alastair Shepherd, director at FCH, said: “In detail this building is a continuation of phase one, with a repetitive window arrangement that also works within the context of other buildings in the locality. We are excited about the contribution this will make to the university’s campus and ability to attract the best students and staff.”

Purchased in August 2015 by a joint venture of HIG Capital and Cording Real Estate Group, Anchorage comprises 220,000 sq ft of office space in four buildings and is being refurbished on a phased basis.

Supply in Salford Quays is below 4% and take up in 2016 was twice the running annual average for the area. Current occupiers in the four buildings include Bupa, Morgan Sindall, Muse Developments, QA Consulting Services and various government departments.

The first space to become available is the top two floors, totalling, 25,000 sq ft. Cording plans a comprehensive upgrade of the large atrium and external areas this summer and to upgrade and release further office space over the next 18 months, including 60,000 sq ft occupied by Bupa, which is moving to its new headquarters nearby in 2018.

The floors are being offered by joint letting agents, JLL and Edwards & Co, for a rent of £20/sq ft.

Peter Dove, head of asset management and property management at Cording, said: “The relaunch of this landmark development and the capital we are investing reflect our confidence in Manchester and Salford Quays and our ability to achieve excellent sustainability goals. This new space provides unrivalled value for money at a discount of 30% to the city centre and for its high specification and waterside views, transport links and car parking”.

The proposals located on Derwent Street in the Ordsall area, would provide 183 apartments, range from 11 to 27 storeys in height and include a cinema, gym and retail kiosk for residents.

The plan has been submitted to Salford City Council by national planning and development consultancy Lichfields on behalf of Forshaws. DLA Design are the architects.

Nathan Matta, Associate Director at the Manchester office of Lichfields, said: “This is an underused brownfield site located in a highly sustainable urban area. “

“The proposals fit in with the goal of transforming the Ordsall Riverside Corridor, and this gateway location means the development can become a landmark building on the Salford side of the River Irwell.”

If approved by the council work will start on the 18-month construction programme next year.

Winners of the Salford Business Awards 2017 announced

Online fashion brand Public Desire won 'Large Business of the Year' at this year’s Salford Business Awards.

The Swinton based company has experienced a phenomenal growth and continued global expansion by using social media to promote its products. With over a million followers across the brand's social media channels, it is on course to becoming a leader in fast fashion within the global arena.

And Ladybird Private Day Nursery was awarded 'Small Business of the Year'. The Eccles based nursery which is managed by a team with over 35 years’ experience in childcare, is committed to providing high quality childcare and education to the local community. The team were also triumphant in winning the award for 'Best Employer'.

The Awards, now in its tenth year, is an annual event organised in partnership between the University of Salford, The Business Group and Salford City Council. They provide an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the successes of Salford-based businesses over the last twelve months. Eight awards are offered which are sponsored by local businesses and support providers.

Businesses of all sizes and across different sectors competed to win the coveted 'Small Business of the Year' and 'Large Business of the Year' awards, which are awarded to businesses that have shown excellence and outstanding achievements in all aspects of their operations.

Other winners included Creamline Dairies, Kingsland Drinks and MyManu who were winners of the Rising Star Award.

Winners from the eight award categories were honoured at a glittering ceremony, hosted by footballer turned entrepreneur Gary Neville at the AJ Bell Stadium on 25 May.

Joanne Purves, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for International and Regional Partnerships at the University of Salford, said: “As someone who is new to Manchester and Salford I have been humbled this week by the reaction to the terrorist attack on Monday evening. The sense of pride and loyalty in the region is far stronger than any terrorist’s weapons.  

“I am also really struck by the ambition, success and pioneering approach of the Salford business community.

“It is well known that the University of Salford was born out of the industrial revolution, its very mission to serve the needs of the business and people of this region – to be the catalyst in providing the skilled workforce employers needed.

“To this end we are as keen as ever to work with business in the city and beyond to help both them and our students reach their full potential.”

City Mayor Paul Dennett congratulated all the businesses which took part in the awards and said: “These awards show the range of successful businesses operating from Salford which is currently out performing London in the number of businesses choosing to start up here.

“Everyone in these fantastic firms should be very proud of the work they do in bringing good jobs to Salford and providing great products and services.”

Paul Wainwright, chair, The Business Group said: “When we created the awards ten years ago, our aim was to provide a platform for sharing success and celebrating the achievements of Salford-based businesses.  We were overwhelmed by the quality and diversity of entries this year and were impressed by the hard work and dedication of the entrants, many of whom we had the privilege of meeting during the judging process.  I’d like to congratulate the winners and all of the applicants and thank our sponsors for helping to make our tenth anniversary a success.”

Organisers of one of the largest triathlon events in the North West have announced this year’s Salford Triathlon at MediaCityUK will be backed by the Morson Group.

The Salford-based firm will be headline sponsor of this popular event which will take place on Sunday, 30th July, against the impressive backdrop of MediaCityUK. It will help support Morson’s nominated charities for 2017, The Alzheimer’s Society and The Christie.

Around 1,000 places are now open for the fifth event of its kind, which takes place around MediaCityUK’s iconic triathlon course, featuring ITV’s Coronation Street, Imperial War Museum North, The Lowry Arts Centre and its newest development, the Tomorrow building.

The course features a 1,500 metre swim within the waters of Dock 9, a 40km bike ride and a 10km waterfront run.  The course is suitable for triathletes of all abilities while first-timers can opt to do the ‘sprint’ half-distance race.

Event founder, James Whittaker, said: “As a locally-based business, we’re absolutely delighted that the Morson Group is supporting this year’s triathlon. Due to its fast, flat course, the Morson Salford Triathlon continues to appeal to both experienced and novice triathletes.

With distances ranging from sprint to standard, including the standard team relay option, there is definitely something for everybody.

It’s a chance to get fit and take part in a great event, in the heart of an exciting destination.”  

Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett said: 

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“We are very proud the triathlon is being held in Salford for the fifth year running and that the Morson Group, a well-respected local employer, has kindly agreed to be the official main sponsor. 

“The triathlon is a major event in the annual calendar with people of all standards and abilities taking part, many of whom will be raising money for worthy causes. I’d like to wish all the competitors good luck with their training and fundraising efforts and I look forward to cheering them on at Salford Quays this summer.”   

 

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"We are very proud the triathlon is being held in Salford for the fifth year running and that the Morson Group, a well-respected local employer, has kindly agreed to be the official main sponsor."

Since the launch of the triathlon in 2013, Dock 9 has flourished as an open water swimming destination due to its safe, clean water with serious and leisure swimmers donning their wetsuits alongside Olympians Kerri Anne Payne and commentator Stephen Parry, as well as Coronation Street stars and BBC breakfast presenter Louise Minchin who have all swam in its waters.

CEO of the Morson Group, Ged Mason, said: “The Salford Triathlon has brought a fantastic, annual sporting event to the area which myself and many of the Morson team have, in the past, taken part in. We’re delighted to take our commitment a step further by sponsoring the event and hope to raise funds for The Christie and The Alzheimer’s Society along the way.”

Course overview:

Swim: The swim takes place in Dock 9, MediaCityUK, a world class aquatics venue that currently hosts many open water swimming sessions and events such as the MediaCityUK Swim Series, the Great Manchester Swim, as well as historically the 2002 Commonwealth Games and the renowned Salford ITU Triathlons. In July, the water temperature will be around 18C.
 

Bike: Once the swim is complete, the athletes mount their bikes on the MediaCityUK piazza and begin the six lap (three for sprint distance) 6.7km cycle leg. The course is flat and fast, along with some fantastic technical sections around MediaCityUK. The route travels through Trafford Park, alongside the ITV Coronation Street set, past the Imperial War Museum North and under the shadows of one of the most famous football grounds in the world, Old Trafford. Cyclists will take in views of the newest development at MediaCityUK, the Tomorrow building, as they loop back in to the transition zone in the piazza.
 

Run: Runners (10k standard / 5k sprint) will travel along the Quays, passing Mariners Canal, Dock 9 and crossing the Lowry footbridge.

After a skirt along the Trafford side of the Quays, the runners come back over the Lowry footbridge, past Dock 9 and into MediaCityUK.

To sign up for the MediaCityUK Triathlon go to: http://www.salfordtriathlon.com/race-entry

Twitter: @salfordtri
Email: info@salfordtriathlon.com
Facebook: facebook.com/salfordtriathlon 

I met Noel Goulding and Steve Pilling from Damson who explained the really great work they are doing in Salford to help people into careers who might otherwise fall through the cracks of our system.

I had met them a few weeks earlier at a prison project event where they donated the food and told me what they were doing to help ex-offenders in to work. 

.......but that was the tip of the iceberg and today I found out much more: 

1. they run a 'looked after children' project where they train up youngsters from care backgrounds as chefs and cook for homeless people in Salford.

2. They run a project with 'walking with the wounded' where they train veterans for hospitality jobs. 50 have placements set up now across hotels in Greater Manchester.

3. They work with housing associations across Salford to find people of all ages who are out of work and give them training and confidence. Many now actually work in Damson and have flourished in their careers. 

4. They run chef schools in local schools and offer mentoring and coaching to both children and parents. What is striking here is that Steve and Noel are proud of Salford and they want young parents and children growing up to take ownership of Salford Quays and to go on to fill the top jobs, it’s their right to work there! 

5. Prison Project where they train ex-offenders and give them a chance to rebuild their lives.

What I should point out is that this has been going on for some time but Steve and Noel don't like shouting about it, they don't want people to think it's a publicity stunt so they just get on with things quietly.

This is the kind of business i want to see more of in Salford and it gives me a warm glow. 

Personally I think they need to shout what they do from the rooftops!

It's not all doom and gloom on the jobs front in Salford....

Data recently released by DueDil, a London-based company information platform suggests that, Salford produced 1,393 startups in the first quarter of this year (2017).

The data also showed and explosion in startup growth rate of 85.49% for the same period last year.

Leicester came in second, having shown a startup growth of 34.45%.

Liverpool, Norwich and Oxford were also in the top 5.

London, however, only managed a growth rate of (5.12% Year on Year) when compared.

The Capital however still remains the leader for startups, with more than 57,000 new companies founded in the during Q1 of this year, although like Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Leeds, growth between January and March had slowed.

Justin Fitzpatrick the COO and co-founder of DueDil added:

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“Interestingly, just a handful of the UK’s major cities made the overall top 20 for startup growth, with cities such as London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Leeds all absent from the top rankings, suggesting that they are slowly losing their grip on their status as the UK’s startup growth.”

Salford is a City that is on the rise, as more startup companies means more jobs available, it also brings an increase from business taxes into council coffers which at the moment are running dry.

Media City has been the driving force behind much of this growth as new startups in the film, media and digital skills industries take advantage of the close proximity of Dock10, BBC and ITV as well as other existing media and gaming based companies already with roots in the area.

Managing Director of Media City Stephen Wild said:

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“We are also seeing an increase in gaming companies, people working in virtual and augmented reality, and fashion startups. This plethora of creatives makes MediaCityUK and Salford a really exciting place to be.”

With Brexit looming and uncertainty in the future of the economy it is fantastic to see Salford bucking the national trend and beating out much larger Cities in creating opportunities for new business.

The redevelopment of Salford Quays and Media City is paying off BIG TIME, and proving to be a fantastic asset to Salford as a hub for creativity and innovation which is now paying dividends. 

Fantastic News...... However personally speaking I think we need to up our game on the education front so as to ensure that local school/college/university leavers have the best chance possible of taking advantage of this apparent boom time.