Lusoconnectionuk in Salford is hosting a series of free cultural and sports activities at Sutton Community Centre and Salford Youth Zone, thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Sport England, as well as the support of Salford City Council and Salford CVS.
The programme brings together three strands of activity: “Together We Create”, “Whose Arts, Whose Culture”, and “Moving Salford”, a wider cultural initiative in which Lusoconnectionuk contributes by showcasing Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking community) heritage through dance, music, crafts, and sport.
Together We Create features four Batuku workshops (a traditional Cape Verdean dance), running every Saturday from 2–3 pm at Sutton Community Centre, with the final performance showcased during Black History Month event.
This activity is part of a programme marking The Lowry’s 25th birthday. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and run with support from Salford CVS, the project brings together 11 community organisations from across Salford — including Lusoconnectionuk — to celebrate the stories and heritage of Salford Quays and The Lowry.
Whose Arts, Whose Culture is a cultural programme running from September 2025 to January 2026. Every Saturday from 3–6 pm, the community can enjoy Lusophone dance, Capoeira, and monthly arts & crafts sessions. On 18 October, the programme will host a special Black History Month event under the theme “From Labour to Empowerment: Celebrating Lusophone Black Women”, featuring a panel discussion, food, stalls, and performances at the Elm Bank Conference Centre.
Moving Salford focuses on movement and wellbeing, offering Afrofitness classes every Monday from 7:30–8:30 pm at Sutton Community Centre, and Basketball sessions every Saturday from 3–5 pm at Salford Youth Zone.
All sessions are free and open to the community.
Elisangela de Pina, founder of Lusoconnectionuk, said: “Our goal is to create spaces where everyone feels welcome, whether you want to dance, play basketball, explore crafts, or celebrate Lusophone heritage. These sessions are more than activities; they are ways to connect generations, share culture, and bring joy to the community.”