Member Article

Salford runners step out in style thanks to housing association

An all-female running club is stepping out in style thanks to a helping hand from a Salford housing association.

We Run Salford has been awarded £200 for new club t-shirts thanks to Salix Homes’ Springboard fund, which supports local initiatives that promote health and wellbeing, boost community spirit, reduce isolation or improve the environment.

The club, based in Langworthy, was set up in 2014 by friends Rachel Morris and Karen Ainsworth to encourage more women to take up running.

The club’s mission is to improve the wellbeing of women by reducing isolation, increasing confidence, and encouraging women to make positive life changes and empower themselves.

Club founder and qualified fitness coach Rachel said: “You often have the motivation to go further when running in a group. It’s also much safer and a good chance to nurture friendships.

“Running with others even brings out qualities and parts of your character you don’t realise are there.

“We were delighted to be given £200 by Salix Homes. Two of our beginners actually completed the Salford 10k wearing them.”

The club, which has more than 60 members, is open to all women regardless of age and experience and it’s free to join in.

Jeanette Green, Salix Homes’ neighbourhood manager for the Ordsall and Langworthy area, said: “We’re really happy that we were able to help out the We Run Salford group and contribute towards improving wellbeing of women in Salford.

“Overall health around the Langworthy and Ordsall area is quite poor compared to the national average, so these kinds of projects are vital and I’m sure the We Run Salford club will continue to grow from strength to strength.”

The project is one of the first to benefit from Salix Homes’ Springboard fund, which provides cash boosts to local groups and initiatives that are making a difference in Salford.

Since launching Springboard this summer, Salix Homes, which owns more than 8,300 properties in Salford, has donated, or pledged to donate, almost £30,000 to local causes.

We Run Salford meets at the Lifecentre on Langworthy Road every Thursday at 7.30pm.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Hayley Collins .