An advice hub in Sale West which offers face-to-face support to residents struggling with the cost-of-living crisis has celebrated its first birthday and is going from strength to strength.
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 at the end of April 2025.
Since it opened, the Hub has helped 1,329 residents with a number of services including Trafford’s Housing Options Service, Adult Social Care, The Growth Company, Irwell Valley Housing Association, Family Hubs, Family Information Service, budgeting support, Citizens Advice, Scope and Energyworks.
The Advice Hub is held weekly at Sale West Youth Centre on Thursdays from 10am to 12noon and Trafford residents are welcome to attend for information, advice or simply for company and a place to keep warm.
Trafford has two Advice Hubs which 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 Stretford Advice Hub takes place at Stretford Public Hall on Tuesdays, 9.30am – 3pm.
Trafford’s third Advice Hub will be established at Partington Library and Wellbeing Centre in September. The Partington Advice Hub will take place every Monday and residents can drop in to access a range of face-to-face advice and support.
Cllr George Devlin, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Advice, said:
“Trafford's Advice Hubs are absolutely superb and are of huge importance to residents who can access them for the help and support they need during the cost of living crisis.
“Sale West Advice Hub has been open just over 12 months and in that time it has helped more than 1,300 residents and made a big difference to their lives. People can access so many organisations under one roof without having to wait in telephone queues.
"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.”
Clare Standish, from Our Sale West, said:
"The Advice Hub is superb and really complements the work of the Sale Support hub. The Hub enables residents to obtain face to face advice from experts and means they only have to tell their story once."
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.
Visit the Our Sale West website for more details.