Leeds celebrates 10 years of inspirational community development

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Miranda Foster, our former Rothwell ABCD Community Builder, shares her thoughts on celebrating a decade of Leeds community development:

It’s not often a work event includes ice cream rewards, advice on walking more dogs than you own or the event round up delivered through poetry – but this celebration was not your usual run of the mill occasion.

A decade of building communities

The amount of good work showcased at the ABCD (Asset Based Community Development) 10-year celebration event, held at the end of October, was outstanding. People came together not only to learn how ABCD has been working in Leeds over the last decade but also to listen to the amazing stories that the local residents had to share.

The centrepiece was an interactive map that linked to each area of Leeds where a Community Builder is working their magic. They all had a range of different showstoppers representing their area – from maps to local market stalls and walks around Holbeck.

People attended not only from Leeds but also from a range of other areas – with everyone keen to chat to the Community Builders and see how the ABCD way of working could be implemented in their area. This brought a real buzz to the event, with people inquisitive to find out how they can adapt their way of working in different places across the UK. It was great to see Leeds recognised as a shining light in all things ABCD!

A fun day for all

Volunteers from Voluntary Action Leeds and Leeds City Council employees not only made sure the event ran really smoothly, they also made it a fun day for everyone. It’s not every day you get an ice-cream for sharing your gift/talent with the ice cream seller!

Workshops were well attended and encouraged participants to question their way of thinking and working. I don’t believe I’ve ever been to a workshop called ‘Walking more dogs than your own’, but each workshop was different and interactive. The discussions from these workshops were an important part of the day and gave everyone the opportunity to share what they had learnt with a stranger who then became a friend.

Artists helped capture the day

Art was a major theme throughout the day. Not only was there a focus on the art of asset mapping, but elements of the day were captured by the absolutely brilliant artist, Tom Bailey, who produced a fabulous piece of wall art. The captions and pictures were superb.

To finish the day, we heard from a Leeds resident who had walked around the venue listening to numerous conversations throughout the day and brought everything together in an amazing poem. This was the final element of the day and left me thinking about how successful it had been and all the good things that had been celebrated by everyone for everyone.

Rothwell Social Prescribing

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Miranda Foster was our Rothwell Community Builder and worked alongside individuals and groups to showcase the best of Rothwell. Her aim was to encourage more people to get involved in developing new activities, relationships, events and ideas. Miranda chatted to some of the amazing local social prescribers about what they do to support people in Rothwell.

Let’s celebrate the fantastic work of the NHS and the social prescribers who work in the Rothwell area.

GPs, nurses and other primary care professionals use social prescribing to refer someone to activities, groups and services in their community that can help with their health and wellbeing.

Social prescribing can support people to reconnect socially with others. Activities could be anything from local craft making and walking groups, to food growing projects and local support groups for people with chronic conditions.

Selina is one of our wonderful Social Prescribers and is helping to organise the Rothwell Springhead Park parkrun for the NHS 75th anniversary celebrations on 15 July. Here she gives an insight into Health Coaching and what she does for local residents on a day-to-day basis:

“Health Coaching allows you the time and space to think about a change and unlock your skills to move forward and achieve your goals. It aims to help you make healthy behaviour changes, such as if you have diabetes and encourages people to become more active in their health and care.

“A health coach will help you think about how you can reach your goals and what matters most to you.

“Health Coaching gives you 45-60mins of time to discuss what is important to you and what you would like to change. You can also have further sessions to help you stay accountable to your goals. Just contact selina.thompson3@nhs.net if you are interested in making that change.”

Michaela Auty is another Social Prescriber for the area. Here are her comments on the role that both she and Hayley do:

“The Primary Care Network (PCN) social prescribers are working within the community to deliver a personalised service to those experiencing social isolation, low mood, financial, housing, and employment related issues.

“Currently working alongside Linking Leeds to reduce the local waiting list, the PCN social prescribers can conduct home visits to patients who are housebound due to medical, social anxiety and frailty issues, ensuring that people can feel relaxed and heard in the comfort of their own homes.

“Social Prescribers can provide appointments to patients for up to an hour, and will work with people for as long as needed, providing a light touch, or more intensive support.

“Hayley, another social prescriber, and myself frequently attend the local groups and facilities in the area to identify and bridge the gaps of what the communities and patients need and want.

“You can be referred to the social prescribing service by talking to a member of your GP practice or completing an online request via PATCHS.”

Contact:

To get in touch, please email Sarah Hart, our Rothwell Assets Based Community Development Officer / Nidderdale Community Led Housing Officer on: sarah.hart@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk.

Rothwell: I would love to hear from you

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Hello again, I would like to take a few moments of your time to reintroduce myself and explain what I do.

My name is Miranda Foster, you may have seen me around Rothwell talking to people about Rothwell. I am always a listening ear to find out all the good things that are happening in the area.

My work and how we could work together

A conversation, an idea, a talent, or a skill – small sparks lead to big ideas. We all need relationships with the people around us, a shared vision for our place and space, a strong sense of community and the chance to spend some time together doing things we care about.

The feeling of belonging and being part of our neighbourhood make us feel happier and connected. Do you have an idea? Could you share a skill? Would you like to make friends?

The effects of working together

When a group is a success the group thrives, with members and volunteers making new friends, learning new skills, feeling valued and most importantly, being proud to be actively involved.

There’s a real community spirit that exists and members naturally pull together for each other and for the greater good of the group. Friendship, being social and being part of a group are excellent ways of maximising everyone’s mental health. Offering peer support can help individuals by feeling they are surrounded by like-minded individuals.

The future?

The future is in your hands. Rothwell is already full of lots of exciting things to do but if you feel that there is something you could add to this, I am here to help. I can work with you to guide you and offer support to make your ideas come to fruition.

More good news stories

Do you have a good news story? Please get in touch and tell us what is happening in your street, who has made a difference to you and the way you live. Rothwell has many unsung heroes that we would love to hear about.

Email our Sarah Hart, our Rothwell Assets Based Community Development Officer / Nidderdale Community Led Housing Officer on: sarah.hart@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk.

Woodlesford Dementia Group to enjoy sparkling Xmas party thanks to donation

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Christmas party goes ahead with a little help

I always love hearing stories from the community in and around Rothwell. This Christmas story of  a Christmas party that was aided by the donation of a local business really warms my heart as I know how important these gatherings are for the group.

The Leeds branch of a national lift company has given a donation to a volunteer group that provides an important lifeline for people with dementia, their families and carers – and they are spending it on a Christmas party.

Pickerings Lifts, based in Tingley, has made a donation to the Cosy Corner Memory Café in Woodlesford which helps support people affected by dementia.

The Cosy Corner Memory Café is a pop-up event held on the first Thursday of the month at the Two Pointers pub, in Woodlesford. It offers social and emotional support to people with dementia and a chance for families and carers to meet others in similar situations.

The £200 donation will be used to pay for a Christmas party for the group.

Jimmy Richardson, regional manager at Pickerings Lifts, said: “Living with dementia at any time brings challenges but the pandemic is making daily life even harder. The Cosy Corner Memory Café does a wonderful job of providing people affected by dementia with a place they can turn to for regular support, advice and a nice warm cuppa.”

Pickerings Lifts is committed to supporting its local communities across the UK and are involved in a large number of charity-focused initiatives that improve the lives and outcomes of local people.

Pauline Hope, who runs Cosy Corner Memory Café, said: “I’m involved in running a number of social groups in the village including an art group, a mental health group and the Cosy Corner Memory Café which help people come together to support each other. My ultimate goal is to ensure all public spaces and places in our community are dementia-friendly.

“I’m delighted to accept this donation – the Cosy Corner Memory Café group will now enjoy a lovely festive celebration, thanks to Pickerings Lifts.”

Pickerings Lifts, a fifth generation family-owned business, is the UK’s leading lift specialist. Established over 160 years ago, Pickerings has a national network of depots that specify, design, install, upgrade, maintain and repair all types of lifts, escalators, loading systems and mobility equipment across many sectors, for many different kinds of businesses.

Contact:

To get in touch, please email Sarah Hart, our Rothwell Assets Based Community Development Officer / Nidderdale Community Led Housing Officer on: sarah.hart@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk.

 

Time to look forward

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Do you want to make new friends?

We have all been stuck inside and now very soon freedom awaits us but what do we want to do with it? We have had lots of time to consider this but now it is hurtling towards us at an extremely fast pace. Nerves are there at the thought of doing the things we have done for years; you are not alone in this as many people feel the same. Make sure you talk to a family member, a friend or a neighbour and I’m sure they will happily give the time to help you overcome this.

While you have been sat in the house, have you thought of a new idea of something you would like to do or decided now is the time to find out more about a hobby you have always dreamt about or maybe you have a skill that you would like to teach others? Don’t just think about it now is the time to act on it. If we haven’t learnt over the last year that time is short and we should grab our dreams and roll with them then we have learnt nothing!

If you have an idea I’m sure there are others out there who would like to join in and help you make that idea a reality. Reach out and find out who shares the same interests as you, they may have an idea that you would like to be involved in.

It doesn’t matter if your idea is big or small there are ways to help make your idea to become a reality. Share your idea with those around you and see if they would like to be part of your plan but if not, look a little further and I can help you with this.

Would you like some help in finding those residents in Rothwell that share your passions and dreams? Drop me an email of give me a call and I will do my very best to connect you with others who have a common interest.

New friends are waiting and you will have walked past them in the supermarket, they probably live in the next street!

Contact:

To get in touch, please email Sarah Hart, our Rothwell Assets Based Community Development Officer / Nidderdale Community Led Housing Officer on: sarah.hart@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk.

Time to look forward

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By Miranda Foster

Do you want to make new friends?

We have all been stuck inside and now very soon freedom awaits us but what do we want to do with it? We have had lots of time to consider this but now it is hurtling towards us at an extremely fast pace. Nerves are there at the thought of doing the things we have done for years; you are not alone in this as many people feel the same. Make sure you talk to a family member, a friend or a neighbour and I’m sure they will happily give the time to help you overcome this.

 

Whilst you have been sitting in the house, have you thought of a new idea of something you would like to do or decided now is the time to find out more about a hobby you have always dreamt about or maybe you have a skill that you would like to teach others? Don’t just think about it now is the time to act on it. If we haven’t learnt over the last year that time is short and we should grab our dreams and roll with them then we have learnt nothing!

 

If you have an idea I’m sure there are others out there who would like to join in and help you make that idea a reality. Reach out and find out who shares the same interests as you, they may have an idea that you would like to be involved in.

 

It doesn’t matter if your idea is big or small there are ways to help make your idea to become a reality. Share your idea with those around you and see if they would like to be part of your plan but if not, look a little further and I can help you with this.

Would you like some help in finding those residents in Rothwell that share your passions and dreams? Drop me an email or give me a call and I will do my very best to connect you with others who have a common interest.

New friends are waiting and you will have walked past them in the supermarket, they probably live in the next street!

Contact:

To get in touch, please email Sarah Hart, our Rothwell Assets Based Community Development Officer / Nidderdale Community Led Housing Officer on: sarah.hart@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk.

A year in a pandemic by Miranda Foster

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 23 March 2020 -23 March 2021

It has been over a year since I was last in Rothwell and it has been hard not to go and drink coffee in my favourite cafes or wonder around the beautiful Springhead Park with my pooch. I’m looking forward to being able to meet with some of the lovely residents, to catch up with everyone while we have been going through a truly remarkable year.

Coronavirus – a timeline

Lock down hits 23 March 2020. Nowhere is safe to go, nobody is to be seen face to face. Hugs are not to be had! Our relatives told to shield. Frightened is the feeling of most. Isolation from all the people we hold dear.

April 2020 – the world of zoom comes alive, a platform never heard of before for most people becomes our lifeline to the outside world. The chance to see those friendly faces from all around the country, to communicate and be in this together. Solidarity is everywhere, we are all in this together.

May 2020 – The reality of lockdown is getting harder but there is light, hope, and being able to go out again more than once a day. The days are longer and brighter and there is optimism in the air.

June 2020– finally able to see family even if it is only in the garden. My thoughts put out there for all to see and hear. (see blog)

July 2020 – restaurants and pubs reopen but face masks are to be worn. The new fashion accessory that MUST be worn but this gives us the chance to be out and about with friends and family. The feeling of freedom. Seeing each other in the flesh rather than on a screen, still no hugs!

August 2020– we eat out to help out. First time in a restaurant in six months, not having to cook and do the washing up is bliss. A conversation over the dining table and to feel the energy from each other; not to have that awkward time at the end of a zoom call where no one knows how to finish the conversation.

September 2020 – all kids go back to school, parents all over the country are praying that it lasts but struggle to let their little cherubs out in to the big bad dangerous world. I get to travel to see my mum but still no hugs.

October 2020 – things take a turn for the worse; there is concern again for all. We all look back to the beginning of the year, what is in store for us this time? A sense of dread.

November 2020 – another lockdown but for just a month, we can do this again. Zoom fatigue is now spoken about on a regular basis but we can still see your face and share our thoughts and feelings. Talking to each other is important and that fighting spirit kicks in again, still no hugs!

December 2020 – Christmas devastation, celebrations via screens. The madness and the chaos of the festive season is replaced with quiet and reflection. We find new ways to celebrate and some we quite enjoy, is this the start of new traditions for some?

January 2021 – yet another lockdown, the despair of how long is this going to last?

February 2021 – so much harder during winter months, the short days, darker evenings, and the colder months make this extremely difficult. The feelings of isolation and loneliness seem worse than ever.

March 2021 – the roadmap is announced to get us out and about again, 4 months is the plan.

March 23 – one year on, lock down is still in place but hope is on the horizon with the vaccine program rolling out at a fast pace. Children are now back in school and everywhere is preparing to open their doors again. We look forward not back and optimism is the best feeling ever.
All through this year, we have listened to the stories some good but some bad. The communities have pulled together and made some incredible moments. Our neighbours have become our friends and allies, the go to people in the street, and over the fence they have listened and talked us through the most strangest of years.

What has been learnt? Well I can only speak for myself. I have learnt that we all have a story to tell, we have all made memories that will last a lifetime, connectivity is key and we have (well most of us!) learnt how to use zoom! Fingers crossed come June we can hug again!

Contact:

To get in touch, please email Sarah Hart, our Rothwell Assets Based Community Development Officer / Nidderdale Community Led Housing Officer on: sarah.hart@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk.

 

A magical Christmas evening organised

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By Becci Barker

A Facebook message for help brought this wonderful idea to my attention.

The thought of offering a little help to make Becci achieve her goal to provide the best Christmas for the residents that she works with after a really tough year was so inspiring. Becci is one of the world’s biggest givers, she does so much for others without thinking of the hard work that it entails, she goes ahead and makes the time to achieve the best for all.

Becci is one of Rothwell’s superstars.

Can you tell us about you and the place where you work?

I work in Day services for Aspire Community Benefit Society (CBS) but I have been based in the supported living across the road, which is also an Aspire CBS building. I have been delivering activities three days a week in the supported living and then two days a week from home, working behind the scenes on the online timetable.

I provide one musical theatre class a week and one music and exercise class, both lasting around 40-50 minutes. The musical theatre class is learning a song, dance or a song and dance routine. I also host Rock and Roll bingo once a week via Zoom. We have 3 different sets, musicals, Disney and TV we also have a Christmas one which we play throughout the whole of December. This and lots more are available on our online timetable on the website, www.aspirecbs.org.uk.

What made you decide to do this magical Christmas evening?

Due to Covid and lockdown, the residents who live at Holmsley, or in any of our supported living services are not allowed to go to their family to visit at Christmas. This is due to people being high risk and we’re following the government guidelines to ensure everyone keeps safe and well. The guys who live here have been very resilient during the pandemic and have only been allowed to go out for local walks apart from the socially distanced, Covid safe activities that I have been providing throughout.

I decided I wanted to bring a little bit of Christmas magic to them, by lighting up their communal garden. I thought, let’s make this Christmas the best one they have ever had due to the fact that they can’t go and see their families.

Throughout the pandemic, the guys who live here don’t usually spend a lot of time together as they all do different things in their ‘normal weeks’ and they have become a proper family and we have all learned new things about each other that we didn’t know.

You put a post out for the people in Rothwell to help, did they respond and in what way?

I decided to put a post on my personal Facebook (I run one for work and I run the main Aspire CBS Facebook page along with other staff). This was just to see if anyone local could help me out and very kindly lend us any kind of Christmas lights for one evening. The response blew me away. Many people shared the post for me to try to see what they could do to help. We had light-up reindeers, trains, presents and even an 8ft light up inflatable Homer Simpson Santa! We also had donated to us a Santa’s sleigh rope light, and lots of other rope lights from some friends, which we used to decorate our homemade Santa’s grotto! Then of course the gift card from you for The Range, with which we purchased three light up trees and the two snowmen and the slow cooker for hot chocolate on the night.

How did you manage to organise the evening and keep it a surprise?

I explained to the residents that we were going to have socially distanced music, food and drink in the garden on 11 December but there were some added surprises. I explained that they were not to come outside until a member of the team who was on shift that night came to get them otherwise it would spoil the surprise for them. I hoped that they would listen and they did it worked! We all had hotdogs and chips indoors for tea and then everyone sat out socially distanced and we did a 3,2,1 and switched the lights on and music. We had cake, snowballs and slow cooker hot chocolate!

What did the residents think of the evening? Do you have any quotes from them?

Everyone loved it! We had people who don’t usually join in with activities who came and stayed out for the whole 2 & ½ hours that we were outside, dancing, cake, snowballs, Santa.

 

Sara: “Thank you for tonight it was fabulous”
Simon: “We have Christmas lights, I love it!”
Daryl: “It’s Santa!”
Kev: “I’m Happy now!”

The pictures and video say it all I think. Everyone was so happy and full of joy and they all felt the Christmas Spirit.

I know when I watched the video and looked at the pictures it put a smile on my face. How did you feel before the event, during and after? Would you do it again?

Incredible. It took a lot of organising as I did all the food and drink, the music, the lights, collecting the lights, sorting out costumes for some of the residents (the Christmas Tree outfit Heather is wearing I made myself by hand!) getting staffs costumes sorted, slow cookers and the rest!

I am incredibly thankful to Steph and Lisa from the team as they were Santa and his Elf and I was the Christmas Fairy all in our PPE of course, even Santa had his mask on under his beard! Also, a thank you to Jane and Margaret who were on that night and cooked all the food! Lauren for baking brownies and flapjacks and Ian for supporting all the customers making sure they were seated safely and separately.

Due to good organisational skills, the night went as smoothly as it could’ve done and the answer is YES 100% I would do it again! To see the smiles and joy it brought to people was worth every single second of organising. Same time next year?

Contact:

To get in touch, please email Sarah Hart, our Rothwell Assets Based Community Development Officer / Nidderdale Community Led Housing Officer on: sarah.hart@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk.

All change at the Pavilion café, Rothwell

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All change at Pavilion café. The time has come to bid farewell to one of Rothwell’s finest members of the community. Paul and Tracey are leaving for pastures new but I couldn’t let them leave without paying tribute to the fine work they have done over the last few years. Paul agreed to have a chat about his time at the café and to tell us what the plans are for its future.

Tell us how you became the owner of the Pavilion café and why you chose this place?

Both my wife, Tracey, and I have been customers at the café for as long as we can remember and after we moved to Rothwell we often jokingly said that one day we’d take the business on and transform it into the park café that the community of Rothwell deserved. When the previous tenant left, we approached the council about the tenancy and were told that there would be a bidding process for interested parties. On the open day, hosted by the council, I can remember there being many people in attendance who were interested, many of whom had much more experience than us. This made us think, at the time, that we really didn’t stand a chance of being successful. When we received the documents to submit our bid, I was somewhat overwhelmed with their scale and complexity. I decided to follow the process through, more as an academic exercise to prove to myself that I could do it, but with little expectation. When we were contacted to say that we were the preferred bidder, we were amazed. This is the point when the panic set in! We had brilliant support from the council to get us up and running, but the first summer was chaotic and extremely stressful. However, bit by bit, we settled in and are now very proud of what we’ve built.

What events have you held at the café for the community? Which one was your favourite?

We’ve loved hosting special events such as Summer and Winter craft fairs and pop-up sales for local artisans. We’ve been able to raise quite a bit of money for charity through these events, with our main charity being Dementia Friendly Rothwell who do fantastic work in our local community. We’re also happy to provide a discount to people supported by the charity. We supported the opening of the Dementia Friendly Garden in the park, which continues to provide a lovely oasis of calm and sensory experiences. We have a great relationship with the local Park Run and support them by storing their equipment, providing space for their admin activities and providing a discount for park runners. One of the things that we’ve enjoyed most is the way that we were able to bring some of the park’s regular dog walkers together to become a group of friends who had previously only ever nodded politely to each other on their daily walks. Without a doubt our favourite annual event is “Breakfast with Santa”, where everyone gets the chance to have a friendly chat with Santa in a relaxed environment that the kids (and parents) really love – we know that we’ve been able to cure quite a few children’s fears of Santa with our very friendly, informal approach – Santa has even been spotted playing tennis!

Which community groups have used the café?

We’ve hosted meetings and events for Rothwell Carnival Committee, Friends of Rothwell Civic Enterprise (FoRCE), Amateur Dramatics of Rothwell (ADoR), Springhead Park Volunteers, fostering groups, heritage exhibitions, parent & toddler groups, craft classes and smaller local community groups who just need a small amount of space for a get together

Tell us about the new owner and what they have planned for Pavilion in the future?

When we made the decision to move on, we were lucky to be approached by Tracey’s brother and sister-in-law, Terry and Zoe Gates, to become the new owners. Terry had worked with us on the refurbishment in 2014 and, it turns out, had always been interested in owning the café. We’re delighted that the Pavilion will be remaining in the family. Terry is a builder and land-scape gardener by trade, so he has the resources and experience to take the Pavilion to the next level in terms of infrastructure, although it’s still too early to be able to discuss any specific plans. I’m sure that Terry will be delighted to provide more detail when the time is right! I know that Terry and Zoe are keen to continue the family and community focus that we’ve established. It’s been a difficult year for all small businesses and the Pavilion will need the continued support of the community to ensure that it can get through the current turmoil and be there for everyone when life gets back to normal.

You are moving out of the area, what will you miss most Rothwell and why?

We love the sense of community in Rothwell and have enjoyed being a part of that, both personally and from a business perspective. We’ll miss our customers, who for the last six and a half years have been incredibly supportive. There is something uniquely satisfying about being able to provide a positive experience for so many people every day – it’s amazing how serving someone a lovely coffee, with a fancy pattern can make their day. Many of our customers have become friends who we will stay in touch with. We feel blessed to have had the opportunity to be a core part of the community of Rothwell and we’ll come back to say hello as often as we can.

So it’s farewell to Paul and Tracey but a huge hello to Terry and Zoe who, I’m sure, will appreciate your continuous support of the Pavilion café. I know I am looking forward to meeting them in the not too distant future.

To follow the café on Facebook click here

Contact:

To get in touch, please email Sarah Hart, our Rothwell Assets Based Community Development Officer / Nidderdale Community Led Housing Officer on: sarah.hart@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk.