In a world where everyone wants things to be better for Salford, Jenni puts all her blood, sweat and tears into getting things done for the city and its people.
Perhaps, she might be what some people call a catalyst for change. And it’s all for the better of a place Jenni has so much love for. Reinstating the Buile Hill Mansion and keeping Healthwatch in Salford are just some of the things she has dedicated her past few years towards.
Jenni has been the chief executive officer of Salford Loaves & Fishes for over four years. The charity supports people that have been living in poverty, are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Since Jenni started the charity it has grown significantly in size, with the opening of their third centre on the horizon.
She said: “Salford People genuinely are amazing people and being able to support them and make changes and make their lives better is what I’ve always wanted to do.”
Jenni is also the Chair of the Buile Hill Mansion committee and she was part of restoring the Grade II listed building to utilise the property to benefit the community.
She said: “I have really fond memories of coming into the mansion when I was growing up and visiting the mining museum and I’m really passionate about the heritage.
“I wanted to save that.
“Standing here, on that day, if you imagine, in 2018 we were sat in a pub in Salford and we were talking about our aim and our vision. At times we never felt that was possible.”
Jennie has helped the people of Salford despite being disabled and a single mother herself. For for the last year, she has also been the Chair of Healthwatch Salford.
She said: “I know that people’s health massively impacts everything and Healthwatch is completely independent and again, it gives a voice to the community.
“Having that independent voice in Salford and shouting for people, which I’m really passionate about, is something that for 12 months we’ve obviously been fighting for.”
The saying goes that if you want something done, give it to a busy woman, and that woman might just be Jennifer, even if it has been a tiring week.
She said: “It does impact my health. But then the reward that I get from doing what I’m doing far outweighs everything else.
“I think if I just gave up and stopped everything my health would decline. I think it’s great that I can give a perspective from being disabled or being a single mum and other things.”
All of her work truly comes from a place of love for the city she has grew up in.
She said: “I wish I could say I was Salford born and bred, but I was born in Blackpool Victoria Hospital and came to Salford. I’ve been through a lot in Salford. Bad times but good times, the area I grew up in [Dutchy Road] wasn’t a rich area, but the community was amazing there.
“We had street parties, we used to all grab our chairs and tables out and have massive street parties. My great-grand and my great-great-grand lived withing two streets of us.
“For me, the community essence and the growing up and the life that I had are still significant in my life now.”
Jenni’s work hasn’t gone fully unnoticed, as she has also been included in the Big Issue’s 100 Changemakers list in 2024, with the campaigner claiming it felt ‘surreal’ to be given such an honour.
Jenni is an example for those who want to make a change and improve the city that they live in.
