Vote for your local Springboard Heroes

The finalists for the annual Springboard Heroes Awards have been announced.

For the past year, housing association Salix Homes has been awarding grants to groups and projects in Salford that are making a real difference in communities.

The landlord has donated more than £33,000 to dozens of local groups and initiatives across Salford as part of its Springboard community grant programme.

From boxing clubs, to gardening groups, Springboard has provided much-needed cash injections to local projects that boost community spirit, promote health and wellbeing and help to reduce isolation.

We have four outstanding finalists, all of which provide huge benefits for the people of Salford. Now it’s time to pick the winning Springboard Hero. Read more about the finalists and the difference they’re making in Salford, and check out their nomination videos to hear why they think you should vote for them to win the £1,000 cash prize.

Seedley and Langworthy in Bloom

Now, Salix Homes has picked four fantastic projects from across its neighbourhoods, as the Springboard Hero finalists, and it’s over to the public to vote for their favourite. The winning project will receive a £1,000 cash boost.

Sian Grant, executive director of operations at Salix Homes, said: “We’re extremely proud of our Springboard grant programme, which provides a lifeline to people in our communities, in many different ways.

“The grants provide support to a range of people and groups which benefit our communities. Finalists this year include a group offering outdoor space to people who may have limited access to green space in the city, and a group providing a beautiful floral display to brighten up the Seedley and Langworthy area.

“Springboard Heroes are the cream of the crop and now it is your turn to help pick the overall winner, so that they can receive the £1,000 prize, and continue with the fabulous work that they do.”

For nearly twenty years, a group of greenfingered volunteers have been spending their time helping to brighten up streets in Salford. The group consists of volunteers from a range of ages, with the eldest being 76 and the youngest volunteer just three-years-old.

The volunteers offer their services for free, as they have a passion for making the streets, within one square mile across Seedley and Langworthy, covered in blooms. Planting thousands and thousands of plants during the planting season, everyone is always eagerly waiting to see the vibrant colours blossoming.

Are you an established community group, a charity, school, or just an individual with a great idea for a community project? You can apply for a share of the funding pot. Visit www.salixhomes.co.uk/springboard to find out more about the Springboard Community Fund.

Bee Corner

Bee Corner is creating a buzz in Salford after a neglected concrete space in Islington was transformed into a green haven for humans and honeybees in the heart of the city.

The project was created by bee enthusiast Amber MCormack in 2021 who had a vision to create more opportunities for people to access nature and help tackle the isolation that can come from urban living.

Bee Corner is located at Islington Mill on Chapel Street and is now home to a thriving bee apiary and community garden, which is supporting people to improve their mental health and wellbeing and feel part of the natural world around them.

Salford Boxing Club

Members of Salford Boxing Club know all too well the benefits regular exercise provides, but equally know the costs associated with gym membership, often creating barriers for people on low incomes.

That’s why the boxing club have come out fighting to help improve the mental and physical health of Salford residents by giving away free two-month memberships for their on-site gym, which is based at Broughton Gymnastics and Lifestyle Centre on Camp Street.

If they win the Springboard Heroes Awards, they’ll use the £1,000 prize money to enhance the green sanctuary they’ve created and continue to work with local schools and community groups to help even more people learn about bees and beekeeping.

Manchester City Mission (MCM)

Manchester City Mission (MCM) aim to alleviate poverty for as many Salford residents as feasibly possible. They run a Family FoodFayre food club at the Windsor Centre in Salford. Each member of the Fayre can choose 12 items of food, worth around £15, twice a week - helping to support people who are struggling on low incomes. Food includes perishable and nonperishable goods. There are currently around 280 households registered and growing rapidly due to the growing need.

Although MCM are a faith-based charity, everyone is welcome and there is no pressure to follow the Christian faith.

They’ve already used Springboard funding to give away free gym membership to 30 local people, but if they win the extra funding, they’ll extend the scheme to another 30 residents who’ll have free access to the gym, plus the sports and fitness classes available.

Scan the QR code or visit www.salixhomes. co.uk/springboardheroes2022 to watch the finalists nomination videos and cast your vote!