Latest News
Here is the latest news of projects and events across
the range of Centre activities and services.
A Tribute to Pope Francis, 1936 - 2025, RIP
We would like to share a brief tribute to the life of Pope Francis who died on 21st April 2025 at the age of 88.
May the Lord greet him warmly as the mantle of love is passed on in the next few weeks to a new Pope. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may his wish to inspire the Church and its structures to continue to renew itself through love of the Gospel and discernment of its deep truths be a legacy that lives on and helps us all to be beacons of hope. We pray for Pope Francis, his family and for the Cardinals as they soon embark upon the important task of choosing his successor.
Click here to read the full tribute written by our Director, Kevin Flanagan
Volunteers and Trustees Needed - Can you help?
We are actively looking for volunteers to help with the work of the Centre or people who can offer advice and help to share the workload with our clients. If you have a background in:
➢ Teaching or supporting learners
➢ Welcome visitors to the Centre
➢ Local History and Heritage
➢ Admin, clerical or other skills
then give us call on 0161 848 9173 or complete our online contact form on our website.
Click here to complete our online contact form.
Heritage Talks, Walks and Reunions
The spring and summer Heritage programme will be announced shortly which will include talks and reunions based on the Heritage of the Trafford Park area, its former residents and employees/employers. We will be marking the VE Day celebrations in May with some items and artefacts in the Exhibition at St Antony’s. We also hope to support the Exhibition at the Trafford Local Studies Centre in Sale.
Centre achieves MATRIX accreditation for the fourth time!
We are delighted to announce that following a recent (April 2025) independent external assessment, the Centre has been awarded the Matrix Standard for the quality of its Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Services. This standard is awarded to organisations with IAG at the heart of their work and recognises the high-quality of service to clients and participants across a range of activities. This is the fourth time we have achieved the award and we will be assessed again in 2027 with ongoing reviews between now and then. Congratulations to all the Centre staff for their work; it is good to see the Centre recognised again for the quality of service we provide to our IAG and training clients and participants.
"St Antony’s values are strong and consistent, and all staff are engaged in a common ethic which puts learners and residents at the centre of service design and delivery. Those using the IAG services see this manifested in the impartiality and individual nature of advice and guidance, and because of this are more likely to seek support and open up about their needs. The values demonstrated by staff engender high levels of trust from recipients."
Centre Christmas Closure Dates
Please note that the Centre will be closed from 5.00pm on Friday 20th December 2024 and will reopen on Monday 6th January 2025.
We convey to all of our supporters, Conference and Hire users, students and Friends of St Antony's Centre assurance of our prayers for you and your loved ones at this time.
The Centre Staff and Trustees wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and many blessings in 2025.
We look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
Support Available for E-Visa Applications
Support is available for those who need to apply for E-Visas which will replace biometric residency permits from 1st January 2025. Click here for more information.
Sunday 22nd September 2024
Heritage Open Day
We are pleased to invite you to our Heritage Open Day on Sunday 22nd September. We will be open from 11.00am to 5.00pm. You will be able to view the 'Hidden Archives' exhibits and the historic Church of St. Antony's. For example, we have recently discovered a set of photographs which show the Trafford Park Youth Club Awards in the 1960s and the Trafford Park Gala Day and St. Antony's Church events. Videos of the area will be playing throughout the day, some for the first time. Light refreshments will be available for purchase.
We are also pleased that Paul Frost and Helen Hall will be performing on the day, including one or two of their songs from the CD 'Songs from The Park'. They will perform about 2.00pm so please arrive in time if you wish to hear their performance.
September 2024
Launch of Autumn Day Courses programme
We have now launched our autumn calendar of courses. These include course in Microsoft Office applications (WORD, EXCEL and POWERPOINT) as well as programming courses for schools and an Introduction to Trainer Skills for businesses and other organisations. Click here to see the Course Calendar.
September 2024
Launch of Courses for Schools
We have now launched some of our new courses aimed at office staff and teachers (and teaching assistants) in primary schools. These include Microsoft Office courses and courses in programming to support the teaching of National Curriculum Computing. Click here for more information.
May 2024
Success for IT Learners in Salford
We are working in partnership with the Loaves and Fishes Skills for Life Centre in Salford to help people in the community improve their IT skills. Our first group of leaners have successfully completed their START-IT course which includes using Word Processing, Spreadsheets and Presentation Software, and are moving on to Level 1 or Level 2. Well done, everyone!
February 2024
New Training Manager starts in post
Ian Beard, a former primary school Headteacher, has recently joined the team as the Centre's new Training and Development Manager. Ian's role will be to manage the training provision of the Centre and help to develop its education and training services. Ian will also be the Centre's Quality Assurance Manager, making sure that the Centre's work related to City & Guilds qualifications meets the awarding body's standards.
