Salford Heart Care is an independent health charity that has increased in popularity in recent years.
The club began with one group in Eccles however today, their Healthy Heart Club takes place in four parts of Salford; Winton, Little Hulton, St Luke’s, and Irlam, with Irlam’s group running twice weekly as they have 80 members at each session.
Part time worker at the charity, Serena, has worked for the club since 2007 and is the only person employed there. It is co-run with over 50 volunteers who “started as members but wanted to feel more included.”
The group was founded in 1987 and originally aimed solely to those with heart related illnesses. However, it is now open to the the general public, mainly those 60 years of age and above. They have around 350 to 400 members already.
Salford Heart Care offers “social support, exercise classes, and even therapy such as reiki.” The entrance charge is £1, which Serena explains “goes towards our costs and makes it more economical to run.”
In 2014, the club won a Queen’s Award and were lucky enough to join the garden party parade at Buckingham Palace.
They also offer bereavement support, again a group which welcomes all. This was started by Serena after she sadly experienced a loss, and also by a number of volunteers who “decided there wasn’t enough support” for grieving individuals. These sessions have been running since 2018 and offer members one-to-one counselling. Entry is also £1.
Salford Heart Care offer their members day trips throughout the year, and also one week away in the UK every year. Serena explains: “We use money raised from raffles to keep the costs down for our day trips, we try make it affordable so members contribute £10 when it would otherwise be £16.”
Alongside this, they go for meals and have parties at the club to “give our members a purpose.”
Most of their income comes from grants, fundraising, and donations. They have received a total of £20k in grants this year. This includes £12,000 which their bereavement group were awarded after being nominated by Salford City Council. It came from a charity known as ICCM, who recycles crematorium metal across Europe and donates the profits to bereavement groups.
The local Tesco and Co-op’s often raise money for their Healthy Heart Club, and many members take part in fundraisers. Serena herself completed the three peaks challenge in 2018, and this raised £1000.
The organisation is often associated with the famous charity, British Heart Foundation, but they have no financial connection. “People donate to them thinking they work with us,” Serena states.
Those interested can find out more on their website, or can contact Serena here.
Recent Comments