Firaol brings a wealth of experience in community development, advocacy, and supporting people from diverse backgrounds. His professional journey began in Ethiopia, where he worked in human rights, supporting migrants and delivering legal education programmes to help individuals better understand and access their rights.

Since moving to the UK, Firaol has continued his commitment to empowering and supporting communities through a range of impactful roles. He volunteered as a General Caseworker with the Manchester Refugee Support Network, providing vital support to refugees and asylum seekers as they navigated life in the UK. He also served as Project Coordinator at the Selam Language and Culture Association, helping to promote cultural understanding, community engagement, and inclusion.

More recently, Firaol worked as a Lived Experience Project Worker at Manchester Community Central, where he drew on both his professional expertise and personal insight to ensure community voices were heard, valued, and reflected in the development of local services and initiatives.

In his new role at Inspiring Communities Together, Firaol will focus on supporting older people across East Salford to stay connected, active, and engaged within their communities. Through the Live Well in Later Life programme, he will work closely with residents, partners, and local groups to improve wellbeing, reduce social isolation, and create opportunities for people to live fulfilling and independent lives as they age.

Outside of work, Firaol enjoys reading, watching films, and hiking. These interests reflect his curiosity, love of learning, and appreciation of the outdoors.

We are thrilled to have Firaol join the team and look forward to seeing the positive impact he will make across East Salford. Please join us in giving him a very warm welcome.

Aroosha may already be a familiar face to many people in the community, having volunteered with Age Friendly Salford for the past three years as a Wellbeing Volunteer. During that time, she has supported a range of activities and helped older residents stay connected, active, and involved in their local communities. 

Aroosha brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role. She completed her PhD in Pakistan and has a strong background in social development, research and community engagement. Her passion for supporting people and bringing communities together has been evident throughout her time with Age Friendly Salford. 

In her new role, Aroosha will be leading and supporting activities across Eccles and Swinton, including our popular Brew and Chat and Walk and Talk sessions. These friendly and welcoming groups give older people the opportunity to meet others, enjoy a chat, make new friends, stay active, and find out more about what’s happening in their local area.

Speaking about her new role, Aroosha said: 

“I’m excited to take on this new position and continue working with local residents across Eccles and Swinton. Having volunteered with Age Friendly Salford over the last three years, I’ve seen the positive impact that community activities can have on people’s wellbeing. I look forward to meeting more residents, supporting local groups, and helping people connect with others in their community.” 

We’re delighted to have Aroosha on board and know she will make a fantastic contribution to the Age Friendly Salford programme. 

If you’re in Eccles or Swinton, keep an eye out for Aroosha at upcoming Brew and Chat and Walk and Talk sessions she’d love to meet you. 

Welcome to the team, Aroosha!

Eccles Library welcomed 13 older residents and partners from Salford City Council, Eccles Town Hall and a parish church in Broughton for a focused Older People’s Network (OPN) workshop. The session also celebrated partners receiving Age Friendly Standards awards, recognising their efforts to create inclusive, welcoming spaces.

The main purpose of the workshop was to review the current Age Friendly Standards assessment form and gather feedback to improve it. Participants worked together to reshape the tool, looking at how it’s structured and what it measures. A key part of the discussion was identifying which elements should be considered essential and which are desirable, to ensure the standards remain both meaningful and achievable.

“It’s good to be asked what we think, it’s our lives, so we should have a say in what matters and what really works,” one participant shared.

What We Heard

Older people brought valuable insight into how the assessment process could be strengthened:

• Clearer, simpler format – The form should be easy to understand and user-friendly, avoiding jargon and duplication.
• Stronger focus on lived experience – Standards should reflect what matters most in day-to-day life, not just tick-box compliance.
• Essential vs desirable criteria – Participants supported clearer distinctions, helping us identify places and spaces that go above and beyond.
• Consistency and flexibility – The tool should be consistent across settings but flexible enough to reflect different types of venues and services.

Alongside this, participants reinforced key features of age-friendly places, such as accessibility, respectful customer service, clear signage and inclusive environments, ensuring these remain central within the refreshed standards.

Moving Forward

This workshop was an important step in making sure the Age Friendly Standards continue to be relevant, practical, and rooted in real experience. The feedback gathered will directly inform the next version of the assessment tool, helping more organisations to take meaningful action.

Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, ideas and expertise. Your voices are shaping a more age-friendly Salford for all.

The exhibition brings together objects, stories and voices from across the decades and walking round it as a group sparked so many memories and conversations. People pointed out things that reminded them of growing up in Salford, how different neighbourhoods used to look, and the characters and communities that have shaped the city we know today. It was a relaxed, friendly visit and it really highlighted how everyone’s everyday experiences make up part of Salford’s story.

One object that meant a lot to the group was The Shouting Fusilier. We had already spent time with this piece in earlier workshops, choosing it together and talking about what it represented. Seeing it again brought back memories of family members, neighbours and the way life used to be. It reminded many of us of the bravery, loss and resilience tied into Salford’s history.

Those shared reflections led the group to create a poem titled “Walter”, which is now displayed alongside the statue in the exhibition, something everyone felt very proud of.

To read the poem created by the group, click here: Walter-poem.pdf

To find out more about Your Salford 100 or plan your own visit, you can visit the Salford Museum & Art Gallery website here: Home – Salford Museum & Art Gallery

On 5 February 2026, one of our trained Age Friendly Assessors visited the station to look at how easy the space is to use and how well it supports older residents. The assessment highlighted a number of strengths, alongside some simple changes that could further improve the experience.

There were lots of positives. Staff at the enquiry counter were described as friendly, polite and approachable, helping create a smooth and positive experience for visitors.

The waiting area had plenty of seating and facilities such as the toilets were clean and accessible. Staff were also recognised for the support they give beyond policing, often helping people find the right local services and community support.

The visit also identified a few areas where improvements could help:

• Clearer signage – It wasn’t obvious that the counter was open. A simple sign could make this clearer.
• Toilet directions – Adding signs would help people easily find facilities.
• Seating options – Some chairs were quite high, which may make it harder for people with mobility issues to stand up comfortably.

There is also an opportunity to provide clearer information in the waiting area, such as:

• Local police contact details and opening times
• Where to meet local officers
• Who to contact and when
• Local support services

Working with older people to co-design this information could help visitors find support more easily and independently.

GMP is now developing an action plan based on the findings. This includes improving signage, updating information and strengthening links with local services such as Live Well Hubs and community gateways.

This work is part of a wider effort to ensure services across Greater Manchester are age friendly, helping older residents feel confident, supported and valued when accessing local spaces.

On Tuesday 25th November, Age Friendly Salford hosted a day dedicated to appreciation, reflection and planning for the future. Our Staff and Volunteer Day was an opportunity to recognise the invaluable contributions of our volunteers and to strengthen the shared vision that drives our work.

A special thank you to CommUNITY Little Hulton for providing such a welcoming space, which created the perfect setting for meaningful conversations and collaboration.

Starting Conversations That Matter: Ageism Awareness

One of the key sessions focused on ageism, an important topic for building inclusive communities. This interactive discussion encouraged participants to share experiences and explore practical ways to challenge stereotypes. Together, we examined:

• Institutional ageism – policies or practices that disadvantage certain age groups
• Interpersonal ageism – everyday comments or behaviours that reinforce stereotypes
• Internalised ageism – when individuals adopt negative beliefs about their own age

Your insights will help shape our Ageism Awareness Workshop, which we plan to deliver in 2026. We will review all feedback and update the course early in the new year. Look out for new sessions around February, volunteers may be invited to support delivery.

Supporting Volunteer Wellbeing

Bringing everyone together provided a valuable opportunity to discuss how we can better support volunteer wellbeing. Suggestions included:

• Allowing time for reflection and decompression after activities
• Creating space to discuss challenging conversations with participants
• Using meditative practices to reduce stress
• Inviting volunteers to join delivery team meetings periodically to strengthen collaboration

These ideas will be considered in the new year, and we’ll keep you informed about next steps.

Recognising Your Contribution

This year, volunteers contributed over 3,000 hours to the Age Friendly programme, a remarkable achievement that has made a real difference to people’s lives in Salford. During the celebration, each volunteer received a certificate as a token of appreciation for their commitment and kindness.

We ended the day with a wellbeing walk in Peel Park, a simple way to connect and we shared practical wellbeing tips, such as reading before bed or taking an afternoon stroll.

Tech & Tea is more than just a digital skills course. It’s a warm, welcoming initiative designed to help residents aged 50+ build confidence in using technology. Delivered over five weekly sessions in community venues, the programme introduces learners to tablet basics, internet safety, email and apps like Zoom. But the real magic lies in its blend of practical learning and social connection. 

Each participant receives a Lenovo tablet (for a refundable deposit), a protective case and a workbook to support their journey. The sessions are relaxed, friendly and tailored to meet people where they are, whether they’re complete beginners or just need a little nudge. 

Take G, a 69-year-old ex-joiner, who joined Tech & Tea at Eccles Library. Initially hesitant and reliant on his sister for online tasks, G found the courage to explore digital tools thanks to the supportive environment. Now, he’s confidently using online banking, watching YouTube tutorials and even helping others with tech tips. “That’s how you do that,” he proudly tells friends and family. 

Behind the scenes, our digital development worker, John, plays a vital role. His day starts with a bus ride to the office and a good brew, followed by setting up tablets, delivering Tech and Tea in the community and chatting with older residents about joining the programme. His passion is clear: “I love my job because it helps older people get better at using technology by giving them the tools they need to help themselves.” 

From Little Hulton to Kersal to Cadishead, Tech & Tea is helping older people feel less isolated and more empowered. It’s not just about learning to use a tablet, it’s about unlocking independence confidence and connection. 

So next time you hear about Tech & Tea, think of it as a community café for the digital age, where the brews are hot, the learning is gentle and everyone is welcome. 

To find out more contact us at – afs@inspiringcommunitiestogether.co.uk or call us on 0161 743 3625. 

Exploring the Role of Culture in Ageing Well 

The theme of the day was “Culture and Creativity”, and the workshop provided a valuable opportunity to explore how cultural engagement contributes to wellbeing, social connection and a sense of belonging , particularly in later life. 

Participants shared a wide range of personal experiences and perspectives on what culture means to them. For some, it was found in traditional activities such as football, walking groups, gardening, theatre and amateur dramatics. For others, culture was rooted in everyday life, from meals in pubs and family traditions to local history and even technology and artificial intelligence. 

As one participant put it: “It’s about bringing people together.”  Another added: “Culture uplifts, connects and helps us find common ground.” 

The Impact of Cultural Engagement 

The workshop highlighted the many benefits of cultural participation, including: 

• Reducing loneliness and isolation 

• Stimulating the mind and encouraging lifelong learning 

• Promoting inclusivity and community cohesion 

• Creating brighter, more welcoming and age-friendly spaces 

However, attendees also raised concerns about barriers to access. These included: 

• High ticket and parking costs 

• Physical limitations 

• Geographical challenges 

Such barriers can prevent older people from fully participating in cultural life, despite their strong interest and enthusiasm. 

Moving Forward 

The feedback from the event clearly demonstrated that older people in Salford value culture deeply and with the right support, it can be a powerful tool for enhancing wellbeing and strengthening communities.  

As Salford continues its journey to becoming a more age-friendly city, it is essential to listen to and act on these voices. Culture and creativity are not just leisure activities, they are lifelines that help older people stay connected to their communities, families and themselves. 

With over 300 older residents in Charlestown and Pendleton engaged through audits, events and creative projects, the AIPP has placed local voices at the heart of decision-making. Residents have led Age Friendly Standards assessments, contributed to walking and wheeling audits and even launched new community groups such as an Arts & Craft Group at Salford Arts Theatre. 

The project has tackled key issues identified by older people, including: 

• Safety concerns, particularly around anti-social behaviour and interactions with younger populations. 

• Social isolation, especially among those in high-rise accommodation. 

• Access to information, with a call for more non-digital formats to help residents stay connected. 

One resident summed up the challenge: “You either push yourself to go out even though you feel unsafe or live a lonely, isolated existence.” But thanks to initiatives like Cuppa with a Copper, which fosters trust between residents and the local PCSO and intergenerational photography projects, the community is becoming more connected and resilient. 

The outcomes speak volumes: residents report increased confidence, improved wellbeing and stronger community ties. The success of the Pendleton & Charlestown pilot has already informed a new way of working for the wider Age Friendly Salford team in Swinton & Pendlebury, Eccles, and Little Hulton & Walkden. 

This has been more than a project, it’s a movement. As one resident put it: “Having a little understanding of each other is the key to a safer and more connected community.”