Salford women enjoyed therapy treatments, health and wellbeing support and employment and training advice at a special event in Pendleton to mark International Women’s Day.
Non-profit organisation Pendleton Together celebrated on Monday 9 March by hosting the event for women in the community co-hosted by the Tenants and Residents Association (TARA) at Pendleton Gateway
Catherine Anderson, treasurer at Beech Court’s TARA and one of the organisers, said: “Women need to be recognised. We need to tell other women that it’s a big bad world and you need to get out there and do your bit because it’s not going to be done itself.
“And little events like this matter.”
She added: “We are working on the premise of social isolation and loneliness. It’s a community event that everyone has come to attend, but it’s also a little extra ‘come and have a look at what’s here’.
“Some people don’t know their own history, and it’s as simple as that.”
This is the second year that Pendleton Together has celebrated International Women’s Day with the community, and organisers hope to make it an annual event.
Salford councillor Gina Reynolds, lead member for adult services, health and wellbeing, also attended the event and said: “I think it’s really good because they’ve got a health improvement service here that are offering free NHS health checks.
“They’re checking blood pressures, checking if people may have diabetes… I think it’s good that they’re getting advice.
“[The event] is very good for social isolation because it’s getting people together to socialise and chat about things that matter to them. I think that’s particularly good for the community, both younger and older people.
“Sometimes people think it’s older people who suffer from loneliness, but it can be people right across the age spectrum.”
Pendleton Together Housing was on hand to offer employment advice. Sarah Davies, employment initiatives officer, said: “Today I’m just offering advice to people, giving out some information about our job clubs.
“I think it’s important to let people know, let women today know, that these services are available. We’re bringing it out to them rather than expecting them to come to us.”
Healthwatch Salford joined in with the celebrations also, by encouraging the women to fill out anonymous surveys that highlighted their experiences with health and care services in Salford, and whether anything could be improved.
A user of Pendleton Gateway, Margaret Moore, said: “I got a text saying there was a function, and we were thirsty, hungry, so we thought we’d come along and see what it was about.
“I’ve never been to one before. So far, I’m finding it nice because I know most of the people here.”
Another user, Sandra Evans, said: “I’ve come to see what International Women’s Day is all about, get out, meet people, have a massage, have my blood pressure checked, and have something to eat, and just mingle with everybody else.
“Us women have got to stand up for ourselves. The fellows won’t do it, so we have to do it for ourselves. It’s all about equality.”
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