Six months on: Sale West Advice Hub supports more than 800 residents
A community advice hub in Sale West has marked six months of offering face-to-face support for residents feeling the strain of the cost-of-living crisis – and has already helped more than 800 people.
The Sale West Advice Hub runs every Thursday morning at Sale West Youth Centre and offers a warm, informal space where residents can speak directly to advisers about anything from rising energy bills and benefit worries to housing, care needs and general financial strain.
The hub brings together multiple support services under one roof, meaning visitors don’t need to make multiple appointments or navigate different agencies. Representatives from Trafford’s Housing Options team, Adult Social Care, NHS services, Irwell Valley Housing Association, Trafford Carers Centre, Citizens Advice, Scope, Family Hubs, budgeting support teams and Energyworks all attend regularly.
The Sale West hub was developed by Trafford Council and Our Sale West following recommendations from Trafford’s Poverty Truth Commission, which called for easier access to support and more spaces for people to speak to experts in person rather than online or via call centres.
Cllr George Devlin, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Advice, said the hub has already become “a vital lifeline” for households under pressure.
“Many of our residents are struggling with rising costs,” he said. “This hub allows people to get advice directly, face-to-face, at no cost. It’s making a real difference.”
The hub has been running since April and hopes to continue building on the success of similar support services in Stretford.
Alongside the Thursday advice sessions, Sale West Youth Centre also hosts a range of ongoing support throughout the week. This includes free computer access, Trafford Jobs Club on Wednesdays from 10am to 2pm and Trafford South Foodbank every Tuesday from 11am to 1pm.
The Sale West Advice Hub is open to all Trafford residents. No appointment is needed and people are welcome to call in for advice. Visit oursalewest.co.uk for more information.
