About projects at Start in Salford

Start in Salford is an arts-based charity for local people of all ages. Our specialised arts and learning opportunities promote recovery and maintain positive mental health and wellbeing across our community. We also offer creative and therapeutic classes, exhibitions, events and craft fairs for everybody to enjoy.

We opened our doors in 1993, and became a registered charity in 1999. Supported by, and working in partnership with local and national organisations we have grown to meet the needs of the community. We offer fully equipped studios for arts, ceramics and photography; music and media suites; a woodcraft workshop and outdoor garden space.

Our range of creative arts programmes (below) have been developed to help people who are or who may be at risk of experiencing mental health difficulties. We make sure people are getting the help and support they need, as well as enjoying something new.

You can read more about our services and keep up to date with our work by visiting the Start Projects section. Don't hesitate to contact us for further information or download a pdf of our leaflets.

In conjunction with our creative arts programmes we provide an individual personal Pathway Development Plan, including advice on benefits, careers and welfare to help people make choices about their future. Our unique Pathway plans are tailored to each member as they progress and help them to make a seamless transition beyond Start in Salford into community life, education and employment.

Pathway progression

Start Pathways have been designed to fulfil the aspirations of our diverse membership. As people develop their skills, they discuss what they’d like to achieve and we work to help them do that.
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Start Training

Central to our work is the arts training programme for local people aged 18 or over who are already within mental health services and it requires a formal referral. It is a two-year programme and members can join up to five creative sessions per week. Members enjoy the full range of creative activities and training we offer – visual arts, music, writing, photography, woodwork, horticulture, ceramics, and more...

In addition, each member has access to various other activities including Basic Numeracy, Literacy and IT classes, Acupuncture, Massage, Tai Chi and Healthy Eating workshops.

Together with their individual Pathway Development Plan, Start Training provides people with a complete and supportive structure to help recovery and a return to community life.
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Start Over Fifty

Start in Salford runs creative arts groups in local venues throughout Salford. The weekly sessions, over one year, offer the over 50s the chance to discover or rediscover their artistic talents and have fun with others whilst maintaining their mental and physical wellbeing.
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Start Time Out

Our ‘Arts on Prescription’ service is for people suffering from anxiety, stress or depression or issues affecting their wellbeing. It is a six-month programme requiring a GP’s referral. We help our members regain their confidence, learn new skills and meet new friends.
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Start Youth Arts

Identifying the needs of young people our groups support their aspirations, creative skills and feeling of inclusion. Over ten weeks, the group sessions offer informal learning opportunities to move into more formal education or training, as well as community life.
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Start in the Park

This project expands our existing gardening programme by transforming a disused space in Buile Hill Park into a thriving community growing space. In turn, this enhances the park, increases its use and enables Start in Salford members to work alongside the community, growing their own fruit, veg, herbs and flowers.
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Start Creative

Start Creative is the commercial arm of our charity. We are a social enterprise and improving the wellbeing of our community is at the very heart of what we do, any profit we make is reinvested in our facilities and projects. Start Creative has developed in response to our Start in Salford members, providing a vibrant and supportive working environment with opportunities to showcase their high quality hand crafted artworks.

Start Creative is also the way we involve the entire community. We offer creative and therapeutic classes, exhibitions and events that anyone can attend. Our full range of services support local people and local businesses, contributing to a more prosperous local economy.
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Support Start in Salford...

We do everything we can to reach out to people who need us. But we need your help and support too. You can get involved by:
• Joining a community master class
• Visiting our exhibitions and events
• Buying our work at craft markets
• Commissioning a painting or artwork
• Becoming a Friend of Start in Salford
• Visiting the website for updates
• Telling other people about us
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