Social support and community hubs

You can find various social support services and community hubs designed to connect you with practical help, group activities, and local resources. These services aim to support your social, emotional, and everyday needs.

In this section:

  • Trafford Directory: Explore a wide range of local services and support options.
  • Support for Carers: Help for unpaid carers, including young carers.
  • Support for Families: Resources and activities for families, including SEND support.
  • Help for Young People: Drop-in services and advice for youth.
  • Support for Homeless and Vulnerable Adults: Assistance with housing and related needs.
  • Wellbeing Support: Community hubs and activities for social engagement.
  • Cultural Wellbeing Programme: Tailored support for ethnic minority communities.
  • Debt Advice: Free and confidential financial support services.
  • Food Support: Low-cost food allocations for families and individuals.
  • Support for Energy Bills: Free advice to stay warm and reduce energy costs.
  • Trafford Community Support: Help with shopping, medication, and more.
  • Welfare Rights and Benefits Advice: Guidance on benefits and rights.
  • Sale Moor Walking Group: Join a FREE Wellbeing Walk!
  • WorkWell Service: Support to stay in or return to work if your health is making this difficult.

Trafford Directory

The Trafford Directory is a comprehensive online resource to help residents connect with local services and support. Explore information on childcare, education, health and wellbeing, activities for families, and more. Use the directory to find practical help tailored to your needs, including services for adults, older people, and children with SEND.

Visit the Trafford Directory to explore services near you.

Support for Carers (Age 5 – Adult)

The Trafford Carers Centre offers support for unpaid carers who help a Trafford resident. This includes:

  • Adult carers (25+)
  • Young adult carers (16-25)
  • Young carers (5-15)

Support includes welfare and benefits advice, employment support for young carers, health services for carers’ wellbeing, counselling, and group activities.

Call 0161 848 2400 (option 1) to find out how they can help you. You are not alone.

St Martin’s Carers Group

St Martin’s Carers Group provides information, advice, and friendly support for carers in Ashton on Mersey and Sale. Join their welcoming monthly meetings held every second Thursday, from 12:30–2:30pm at St Martin’s Church Hall, Church Lane, Ashton on Mersey, M33 5QQ. Activities include talks, gentle exercises, relaxation sessions, and practical advice, all designed to support carers and give them a well-deserved break.

For further details, please contact Sue Gladden on 07968 236854 or Rev Catherine Cleghorn on 07813 117385. Former carers are also very welcome.

Support for Families

The Family Information Service (FIS), run by Trafford Council, offers free information and advice on local activities, events, support networks, and feedback for families. Find out more here.

Parents of children (aged 0 to 25) with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) can contact the SEND Information Advice and Support Service:

  • Email: sendiass@trafford.gov.uk
  • Phone: 0161 912 3150

Find them on Facebook: TraffordSENDIASS
On Twitter/X: @traffordsendias

Rehoboth for Families runs Parenting with Purpose courses every other Friday from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM at the Old Salvation Army Building, 14 Brunswick Street, Stretford, M32 8NJ. For details, call Elizabeth at 07958709238.

Help for Young People

Talk Shop supports young people aged 11–19 with advice and drop-in services. Sessions run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Sale Waterside. Call 0161 912 2453 or email talkshop@trafford.gov.uk for more information.

Support for Homeless and Vulnerable Adults

If you need housing help, contact Housing Options Service Trafford:

  • Monday to Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM: Call 0161 912 2230.
  • After hours: Call the same number for urgent assistance.
    You can also email: HOST@trafford.gov.uk.

Wellbeing Support

In Sale and Trafford, community hubs offer support, including spaces for groups and warm living rooms during winter. You can learn more about local community activities through Our Sale West and Sale Moor Community Partnership.

Age UK Trafford provides a range of activities and services to support wellbeing and social engagement, including:

  • Walking Football and Women’s Walking Football to promote physical health and social connection.
  • A Weekly Men’s Group and Urmston Hub Social meet-ups for socialising and support.
  • A Monthly Film Club for relaxed group activities.

Social Prescribing is also available for Sale residents. It connects people to community services based on their needs:

  • For people aged 50+, contact Hazel at Age UK Trafford.
  • For all ages, contact the Social Prescribers at BlueSci Support, located at Coppice Avenue Library and Wellbeing Centre.

Head Start Sale Moor – Weekly Wellbeing Walk

Join a friendly 30-minute wellbeing walk every Thursday at 12:30pm. The group meets at Sale Moor Community Centre (193 Norris Road, Sale M33 2TN) and enjoys a relaxing stroll through Moor Nook Park and Walkden Gardens, followed by free hot and cold refreshments. Everyone is welcome—it’s a great way to meet new people, stay active, and support your mental and physical wellbeing.

For more information, call 07355 092 125 or register here.

Sharks Forces – Veteran Wellbeing

Sharks Forces offers free physical and mental wellbeing support specifically for veterans. Join weekly sessions, including low-impact exercise, wellbeing walks, walking/touch rugby, and social and employability hubs. These sessions provide an opportunity to improve your fitness, meet others with shared experiences, and get practical support.

For more information or to join, call 07553 836248 or contact the team at foundation@salesharks.com.

Guys Talking Issues – Men’s Peer Support Group

Guys Talking Issues is a friendly peer support group for men. Meet others, share experiences, or simply enjoy some company in a relaxed, welcoming space. Sessions take place every Friday from 10am–12pm at Coppice Library and Wellbeing Centre. The activity is free, with tea and coffee provided.

Contact Mark on 07874 876077 (Wed–Fri, 10am–2pm), or just turn up.

Need Help and Not Sure Where to Turn?
Use NHS 111 online here or call 111 for advice.

Cultural Wellbeing Programme

This programme supports South Asian, Black African, Caribbean, and dual-heritage communities with health, fitness, and mental health services. One-to-one help can be tailored to your ethnicity and identity if preferred. Call 0161 226 9562 or email enquiries@thecwp.org.uk.

Debt Advice 

Access free and confidential debt support from:

Food Support

The Bread & Butter Thing provides low-cost food allocations for singles or families. Text 07860 063 304 with your full name, postcode, and hub name for collection. Collection points include:

  • Sale West Community Centre: Mondays, 1:30 PM–2:00 PM
  • St Francis Church, Sale: Wednesdays, 1:30 PM–2:00 PM

Learn more here.

Support for Energy Bills

LEAP offers free advice to help reduce energy bills and stay warm during winter. Eligibility includes long-term conditions, benefits, or vulnerabilities. Call 0800 060 7567.

Trafford Carers Support 

The Trafford Carers Centre offers information, advice, and support to all carers and former carers. Call 0161 848 2400 (Monday–Friday, 10 AM–4 PM; Wednesday late until 7:30 PM).

Trafford Community Support 

For assistance with shopping, fuel, essential medication, or someone to talk to, contact Trafford Community Hub at 0300 330 9073 or visit Trafford Hubs.

Welfare Rights and Benefits Advice 

Trafford Council’s welfare rights team provides advice on benefits. Call 0161 912 2735 (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 9:30 AM–12:30 PM).

Sale Moor Walking Group – Join Our FREE Wellbeing Walk!

Take a break, get some fresh air, and enjoy a relaxing 30-minute walk through Moor Nook Park and Walkden Gardens!
  • Where? Sale Moor Community Centre, 193 Norris Road, M33 2TN
  • When? Every Thursday, 12:30-1pm
  • After? Enjoy free hot & cold refreshments and a friendly chat!
  • Open to all – a great way to boost your wellbeing, meet new people, and enjoy gentle exercise!
Find out more: 07355 092 125

WorkWell Service

WorkWell offers friendly and practical employment support if your health is affecting your job. You might be at risk of losing your job, off sick, or struggling to find work because of health issues. Support includes help updating your CV, preparing for interviews, talking to your employer, or attending workplace meetings. You can receive personalised support for up to 8 weeks.

You can refer yourself online here or ask a professional (like your GP) to refer you.

Sale West Advice Hub

The Sale West Advice Hub offers free face-to-face support every Thursday, 10am–12noon, at Sale West Youth Centre, Newbury Avenue, Sale, M33 4QW. No appointment needed—just come along for practical help, advice, and support from various local services.

Weekly sessions include:

  • Sale Community Hub Support: Advice on emergency fuel and food support, and signposting to local services.
  • Irwell Valley: Housing and neighbourhood support, advice, and help with tenancy queries.
  • Sale Credit Union (Mondays, 9.30am–11.30am): Advice on savings and loans.
  • Trafford South Foodbank (Tuesdays, 11am–1pm): Emergency food parcels and support.
  • Trafford Job Club (Wednesdays, 10am–2pm): Help searching and applying for jobs.

Fortnightly sessions include:

  • Achieve Outreach (Big Life): Support for those experiencing substance misuse.
  • Budgeting Support Officer (Trafford Council): Advice on managing household finances and bills, accessing financial support.
  • The Growth Company: Employment advice for individuals with disabilities or long-term health conditions.
  • Scope (Disability Equality Charity): Advice on managing energy and water costs specifically for disabled residents.

Monthly sessions include:

  • Adult Social Care: Information, assessments, and advice if you or someone you care for needs extra help at home.
  • Family Hub Navigator: Connecting families to the right local services and community support.
  • Direct Payments Advice: Practical guidance on managing personal social care budgets and recruiting personal assistants.
  • Family Information Service: Face-to-face advice on local groups, childcare, SEND support, and family activities.

For more information, contact Our Sale West on 0161 973 3778 or drop in at the Advice Hub.

Date published: 26th March, 2024
Date last updated: 19th March, 2025