An advice hub in Sale West which offers face-to-face support to residents struggling with the cost-of-living crisis is celebrating being open for six months.
Sale West Advice Hub, set up by Trafford Council and Our Sale West, was officially opened by Trafford Council staff and representatives from Trafford Council and Our Sale West in April 2025.
It gives residents the opportunity to receive help and support from a number of organisations and services under one roof. They include Trafford’s Housing Options Service, Adult Social Care, the NHS, Irwell Valley Housing Association, Family Hubs, Family Information Service, budgeting support, Trafford Carers Centre, Citizens Advice, Scope and Energyworks.
So far, more than 800 residents have received help from the Hub on issues relating to energy bills, care support, money worries and housing. The Advice Hub is held weekly at Sale West Youth Centre on Thursdays from 10am to 12noon. Trafford residents are welcome to attend for information, advice or simply for company and a place to keep warm.
The Hub, which was officially opened alongside the Reaching Communities Event organised by Trafford’s Disability Employment Advisors at Altrincham and Stretford Job Centres, is hoping to continue to emulate the success of Stretford Hub.
The Advice Hubs were launched following recommendations by the Poverty Truth Commission which was set up by Trafford Council and L&Q (previously Trafford Housing Trust) to help tackle the issue of poverty and its many causes across the borough.
The four recommendations were: Improve how Trafford residents access services (This will include a ‘One Stop Shop’ where residents can access face-to-face advice); Continue to use the voice of people with lived experience in the development of policy and services in Trafford; Make public transport truly accessible for everyone; and tackle mental health and isolation.
Cllr George Devlin, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Advice, said:
“Many of our residents, along with millions across the country, are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis with everything from bills to food increasing in price. The Advice Hub is a superb facility and is of huge importance to residents in the area who can come here to access the help and support they need.
“The Hub has been opened for more than six months now and has made a big difference to people’s lives. It brings so many local organisations together in one place who are there to help. Residents who are concerned about any number of issues can now speak to experts in those areas free of charge and face-to-face and that is a huge positive for everyone.”
Additional support is available from the Sale Community Hub at Sale West Youth Centre throughout the week including free computer use, advice on services and emergency support. The Trafford Jobs Club runs from the Community Centre on Wednesdays 10am to 2pm and residents can access the Trafford South Foodbank on Tuesdays 11am to 1pm.