“We’re trying to keep our eyes open for people who are going to need help”: Salford woman sets up community hub in restored church

A new community hub is being opened in a recently restored church with hopes to provide a number of services to aid people who are struggling.

The hub has been organised by community supporter, Keri Muldoon. It is set to be held in the The Church of The Ascension, located next to Green Grovenor park.

Keri, who chairs a number of Salford community groups, said: “It’s not just the normal people who are suffering it’s everyone because it’s now the businesses as well.

‘”The price of living has gone through the roof. When everyone suffers the same crisis, people understand.”

With the help of funding from Salix Homes and Onward Homes, the hub plans to ease this crisis for those who are struggling the most in the community. This will involve providing slow cookers and air fryers to combat the results of the rise in energy costs.

Keri explained: “Slow cookers and air fryers are really helping people at the minute as they don’t cost much to run.”

As well as this, a clothes swap is being provided on Sunday’s after the church service, taking into account the decrease in people’s disposable incomes.

Keri added: “We try and do what fits the need. Now there’s a cost of living crisis, we’re going to try and help that way. People do need it [support] and that’s the sad thing.”

With Christmas on the horizon and many people being excited by the festivities, the hub is reaching out to those who will struggle with the financial burden. This involves providing Christmas food hampers to those in need to ensure families can celebrate the day as they normally would.

In partnership with St James’ church, the hub is also aiming to provide a Christmas dinner for those who may be facing Christmas on their own.

Keri explained: “Christine from St James’ has 120 places for Christmas dinner, together with the father from the church here.

“If we can get enough volunteers on Christmas Day we’re going to be doing a Christmas dinner here”

The hub comes in partnership with the reopening of the church which was tragically almost completely destroyed in 2017 as a result of an arson attack. A project to rebuild the church was announced in June 2017 and is finally complete.

Keri said: “Now we’ve got the church we’ve got to try and get clubs and things set out for the church like a choir.

“Getting people to know that we’re opening again and trying to keep tradition still here.”

The hub is expected to be operating from the start of December and hopes to be a great addition to the Broughton community.