Springboard Fund helps local charity host festive fun

This Christmas, the Broughton Trust brought festive magic to the local community by hosting a Santa’s Grotto, made possible through funding from our Springboard Community Fund. 

For over 20 years, the Broughton Trust have provided services to individuals, families and voluntary organisations in Salford. They aim to help reduce poverty and increase opportunities for all members of the community.  

The grant enabled the Trust to deliver a free Santa’s Grotto alongside a series of family-friendly arts and crafts sessions. Funding covered all essential costs, including festive decorations, Santa’s costume, gifts for every child, craft materials, refreshments, and a framed photograph for families to take home as a lasting keepsake. 

The initiative was designed to create a fun, festive and welcoming experience for families who might otherwise miss out due to financial pressures. By removing these barriers, the Trust ensured local children could experience the Christmas magic, while also creating a warm and inclusive space for families to spend time together. 

Marie Caroll, Learning Development Manager at the Broughton Trust said: “The funding has allowed The Trust to strengthen its relationship with local residents, engaging with so many people in the Salford community, people who we are now able to work with to create future projects that are important to the local community.  

“We look forward to continuing this connection and hope to develop more meaningful opportunities together”. 

In total, 80 children visited Santa at the Grotto at the Broughton Trust, which is based at the Humphrey Booth Centre on Heath Avenue in Broughton, Salford. Each child received a gift and a personalised framed photograph to remember the day, helping to make the experience truly special. 

One visitor to the Grotto said: “What a lovely event, at this time of year everything is very expensive, so to have this happening locally and free was great! Staff were all wonderful and welcoming. Santa was brilliant!” 

Salix Homes’ Director of Communities, Warren Carlon added: “Our Springboard fund provides grants to local projects, groups and initiatives that make a real difference in our communities.  

“Christmas can be a challenging time for many families, so we were really proud to support the Broughton Trust, which is a fantastic charity that does so much for families in Salford. Their Santa’s Grotto gave children and families the chance to enjoy a festive day together in a welcoming, relaxed environment and we’re glad that so many people had the opportunity to enjoy the Christmas magic together.”  

For more information and to apply for a Springboard grant, visit our Springboard Community Fund pages.

To find out more about the Broughton Trust, visit their website.