Proud City, a social enterprise based in Salford and focuses on a range of qualifications that support health, wellbeing and lifestyle. It has become one of the first organisations to secure a V for Volunteering fund to develop young people in helping them become established as Active Citizens in their community. 

Building networks and helping local services to achieve more, has been core to long standing successes, as a result, Proud City Co-op has become an established, trusted organisation with a strong team, that's been consulted on important government and community projects.

Proud City is a leading supplier of the City & Guilds Health Trainer qualifications at level 3 and has achieved direct claim stautus for all its current qualifications, which means  a quicker more responive service for customers. A status only afforded to centres who demonstarte a thorough understanding and offer a highly ranked quality centre service.  

Proud City has developed a breakthrough in accreditation for people who want to have their community activity (active citizenship) recognised. This award is called an 'Individual Profile in Active Citizenship' or iPAC for short. Now a City and Guilds qualification, the iPAC course offers certificated units that are relevant to a wide and useful range of active learning for active citizenship activities. All Proud City services are quality assured by our rigorously developed quality systems and by occupational specialists ensuring the candidate needs are being met as fully as possible.

In recognition for Proud City's team successes, we are delighted to report that two of our board members were rewarded with highly acclaimed Honorary Memberships of City and Guilds. Key to our success, is our learner centred approach, ensuring directed learning and contextual relevance. This helps build competent candidates. Here's what some have to say;

"We always look forward to getting together"

"I can't believe how good it feels to be a part of the team"

"I have learnt to do things better, please, what can I do next"

Proud City was established as a co-operative in 2002 with valuable support from The Co-operatve Group's support initiative called 'Co-operative Action', and Proud City Co-op has continued to grow as an innovative accredited centre for a range of City and Guilds and Institute of Leadership and Management qualifications. Proud City Co-op develops and enables learning opportunities to actively stimulate community engagement with public services, private business's and third sector organisations, putting people first and encouraging social and personal responsibility.

Proud City is the National Centre for the "Individual Profile in Active Citizenship" (iPAC) and is the primary developer of this City & Guilds qualification.  Proud City's long track record of experience is offered to others through consultancy.

Speaking at the iPAC launch;

Hazel Blears MP, who has a long-standing interest in communities, said:

“I believe that the health of our democracy depends on the active participation of ordinary citizens in public life. Right across the country, active citizens are making an invaluable contribution to the lives of their communities, and we must never take their work for granted”.

click here to see Hazel's full launch speech

Jennifer Bernard, City & Guilds Director said:

“Society matters and supporting and encouraging people to be active in their communities is essential for a healthy future. We are so pleased to be providing a learning programme developed with real activists that can help deliver this vital outcome.”

Recently, Proud City Co-op has teamed up with URBIS in Manchester, a contemporary museum of life and famous for their Reclaim project in the Moss Side area of Manchester, to establish the North West Regional Centre for iPAC. It provides a uniquely inspiring environment and intergenerational appeal that reaches out to people in an attractive non traditional way. 

Proud City participated in the development of the national framework for 'Active Learning for Active Citizenship'. This was a ground breaking Home Office project, which formed a strand of the Government's 'Together We Can' programme. Success created a wider impact network to advance community cohesion called the 'Take Part' network.

Proud City Co-op is keen to expand it's reach and influential through strategic partnerships and alliances.

Recent consultancy projects include; Salford Lads and Girls Club, Pride Games international multi-sports events, Pride Sports young people's programmes, annual community awards dinners, youth led  community engagement and volunteer recognition programmes.

In 2009 Proud City will be contributing to international active citizenship development with the United Nations.

With a long and successful track record in public service delivery, Proud City attracted additional investment support from Future Builders England to enable further growth.

If you would like to talk about working with us in the future, we would like to here from you click here to make contact, or ring Mike on 07941 384 987