As the February half-term holiday approaches, Barbara understands some families find it difficult to make ends meet, providing extra food for children who usually receive free school meals.

There is local support that you can access if you or your family need help.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice can help with money, benefit, housing or employment problems. You may be facing a crisis, or just considering your options. It doesn’t matter who you are, or what your situation is, Citizens Advice Salford will provide free, confidential and impartial advice.

Call Salford Citizens Advice on 0300 3309 074 or visit a surgery:

Walkden Gateway: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10am – 2pm

Eccles Gateway: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am – 2pm

Cadishead Library: Tuesdays, 9:30am – 12noon and 1:30pm – 4:30pm

Foodbanks

If you need an emergency 3 day food parcel you can contact Barbara’s constituency office on 0161 799 4159 or visit a local foodbank:

Swinton Foodbank (Salvation Army, Swinton): Friday 10am – 12noon

Eccles Foodbank (Connect Church): Thursday, 1pm – 3pm

Irlam and Cadishead Foodbank (Boundary Road Church): Tuesday, 10am – 12noon

You can view the list of referral agencies for Swinton and Eccles here.

You can view the list of referral agencies for Irlam and Cadishead here.

Half-term Activities

West Salford Children’s Centre is in Little Hulton and serves Walkden, Little Hulton, Worsley and Boothstown. You can find out more about their activities here.

South Salford Children’s Centre runs activities across Barton, Winton, Irlam, Peel Green and Cadishead. You can find out more about their activities here

Salford Community Leisure Activities

Salford Community Leisure run school holiday camps at Co-op Academy Walkden, St. Patrick’s High School, and Irlam and Cadishead Leisure Centre for £2 per day.

Salford Community Leisure is also running activities at local libraries, Ordsall Hall and Salford Museum. You can find more information about that here.

Springwood Play Area

Springwood Play Area, next to Springwood Primary School in Swinton is designed for disabled children and their families in Salford. Families who have children with disabilities must get a key fob to access the play area, but the key fob is completely free. You can find out more and get your fob here.

Barbara says:

“I want to encourage any parents who are struggling this half-term to reach out and get the help and support that they need.

“I hope you find this information about support agencies and free and low-cost activities in Salford helpful.”