Our Impact
Making a difference to people in Sale West
Making a difference
Since 2015, Our Sale West has become a driving force for positive change, turning people’s ideas into real changes that benefit everyone in our community.
With an initial £1 million National Lottery grant – and over £600,000 in additional funding secured through hard work and partnerships – we’ve made more than 75 successful projects happen.
Our community support hub has become a lifeline, particularly during challenging times.
“I have met you quite a few times due to unfortunate circumstances. I would like to start by thanking you and the volunteers at the hub, I really don’t know how we would have survived last year without you all, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Resident
“Thank you once again. I don’t think you and the volunteers get enough credit for everything you all do, absolute life savers.” Resident
“If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be here” Resident who lives on 9th floor of tower block, and is awaiting a hip operation.
In 2024 we won a Trafford Community Award and a High Sheriff’s award for our work on your behalf.
“They have done amazing work, I have been blown away at how effective OSW are.”
Sara Saleh, Deputy Chief Executive at Trafford Borough Council.“The more we get to know them, the more impressed we are.”
George Devlin, Trafford Community Collective.
Our achievements have been possible thanks to our wonderful volunteers and strong partnerships with local organisations. Our highlights are below or read our independent evaluation.
Supporting young people
Since 2015, our youth projects have created lasting impact. We have:
- Reintroduced Youth Club activities
- Supported a tutoring service
- Sponsored our local all-girls football team
- Funded training for young people to achieve a Level 1 Youth Leadership certificate
- Hosted three ground-breaking school conferences, giving local pupils a chance to showcase their talents and share their views on important issues
- Provided a school holiday activities programme
Developing skills and opportunities
Since 2015, we have helped people access new skills and opportunities. We have:
- Set up a Community Information Hub for people seeking work
- Offered training in IT skills, first aid, gardening and food hygiene.
- Run Jobs Fairs in partnership with Trafford Council and Careers Fairs attended by pupils from 11 different Trafford Secondary schools.
- Supported local entrepreneurs with grants of up to £2,000 to help them set up a small business.
- Run the ‘Working Wardrobe’ scheme supplying people with outfits for job interviews.
- Worked in partnership with Sale Sharks to provide a course for pupils who are not in mainstream education.
Supporting people’s health and wellbeing
We want everyone to live healthier, happier lives. Since 2015, we’ve:
- Run a range of regular wellbeing activities including keep fit, pilates and crafting activities.
- Hosted day trips to Southport, York, Llandudno and Blackpool and family fun days
- Worked with the local health centre to provide a weekly drop-in service, a smoking cessation programme and diabetes advice.
- Established a Junior Parkrun and a trim trail.
- Hosted twice-weekly ‘Strictly Lunches’ for our elderly residents and an annual Christmas party
Creating spaces for everyone
We’ve transformed neglected areas giving residents safe and welcoming places to enjoy.
- Two refurbished play areas, picnic benches and a wildflower and edible garden in Sale West Woods
- The Phoenix Gardens and community allotment
- New lighting for the multi-use games area
- An amphitheatre, information boards and wood carvings are in development.
Sale Support Hub
During the pandemic, Our Sale West was commissioned by the council to run one of six Support Hubs in Trafford, covering 134,000 residents.
- We continue to run the Support Hub to help people with the cost of living crisis.
- We provide support with food, clothing, furniture and household goods.
- We set up weekly sessions with Citizens Advice
- We offer two food schemes: The Bread and Butter Thing where 60 families pay a regular sum each week to receive pre-packed food and Foodshare where we collect and offer free food collected from supermarkets.
- The Bread and Butter Thing equates to 70,000 meals over 12 months.
Since 2015, we have provided local people with the equivalent of 1.5 million meals.