Families, local businesses and grassroots sports clubs have been urged to apply for funding from a charity dedicated to breaking down financial barriers for young people in Salford.
The Salford Trust provides direct financial support to young people aged between 5 and 25, whose ambitions in sport, music and other passions may otherwise be limited by financial restraints.
The charity believes that children should be able to pursue their interests regardless of their family’s financial situation. It has just closed its most recent round of funding, but it is open to applications at any date.
Peter Collins MBE, The Managing Trustee at Salford Trust, said: “Lack of family income should not be a barrier for children and young people in Salford who have aspirations and ambitions, or simply want to relieve stress through an activity they’re passionate about.”
The trust offers direct funding based on individual need and aspiration. Unlike other charities that run set programmes, each application is considered on its own merit.
Ruby Guyler, content and social media manager at the trust, explained how the funding works in practice.
She said: “All of our funding rounds provide 5-25 year olds in Salford with the opportunity to follow their passions, try new hobbies or develop their skills. Our funding is given when family circumstances and finances would otherwise limit the number of opportunities that a young person has access to.”
“Whether it’s enabling a young person to join their local football team by providing the funds for boots and membership fees, funding 1-on-1 tuition for promising young musicians, or contributing to competition costs for ambitious athletes.”
She added that benefits also go towards stress relief, a sense of belonging, new friendships, and adding new skills to young people’s arsenal, such as teamwork, resilience and problem solving.
Since its launch in 2004, the trust has helped more than 900 young people access opportunities that may otherwise be unattainable.
Success stories span a wide range of interests. Some great stories have come out of this scheme, including Salford para-swimmer Georgia Sheffield, who won a bronze medal for Great Britain in the 100m backstroke at the World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore in 2025.
Ruby said: “Measurement is based on agreed individual goals – some are hard outcomes, some just about engaging in something regularly that improves wellbeing and enables young people to make new friends. We check in with individuals and their families over time.”
The trust is also calling on local businesses from Salford and across Greater Manchester to step forward as charity partners.
“We do need more charity partners to join our cause, not just with funding, but to join our application panel and help direct the funding where it is most needed, Peter added.”
Support can include one-off donations, long-term financial contributions, assisting with reviewing applications, or other resources that can help strengthen the trust’s reach.
With the current funding round closing at the end of the month, families are being encouraged to act quickly.
More information on how to apply for funding can be found on The Salford Trust’s website.
