By Michelle Corns
Armley Action Team (AAT) held a social to thank everyone who gave their time helping out within the community, over the past year.
AAT was established by residents to help Armley Town Street and wider Armley area to thrive, not just survive.
It is now the main hub for several community services and events in the area – including the Yum Community Fridge and Pantry, Bundles reuse shop for 0-18’s, and the extremely popular annual Armley Festival. They are also responsible for the street markets, planters and painted rocks on Town Street, as well as the pop-up park and mural on Gelder Road.
The evening welcomed around 50 volunteers and board members to thank them for their valuable contribution to the community over the last year – with food, a quiz and a raffle.
During the quiz, attenders were asked to suggest up to five things they’d like to do tomorrow in Armley. Two teams said a zipwire from Armley to Kirkstall was their number one priority!
Bethany Korynek:
“Because these volunteers are willing to give up a lot of their free time with us, we have a huge amount of gratitude to them.
“This kind of event where you can celebrate the successes, the good things in the neighbourhood and the improvements that have been made in people’s lives – they actually don’t come that often.
“When we do have events like this, it reminds everybody that they can be hopeful and that they can feel good about what they are doing – as well as hearing about some of the real impacts that their work has had on local people.
“That is really valuable because otherwise, you are just giving up your free time organising things or working in a charity shop and you don’t actually see the bigger picture. This event has really helped me to see that for sure.
“I found out this evening, that apparently there are over 70 people involved in the organisation.
“Bundles can give young people from 14 and over a great opportunity to volunteer and get work experience.
“A lot of young people in the area don’t get much opportunity to do work experience, so that has been really good for them.
“The work of AAT is so important – just because you may be on a low income doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a nice place to live and the things that AAT do has had a positive impact one hundred percent. They have initiated the mural project on Gelder Road, that recruited a lot of young people.
“They had planters to grow things in and food on Armley Town Street as well.”
Kacie Halliday:
“It was good to celebrate and see everyone come together, but also to see just how many people actually make up Armley Action Team, as if you’re only in one day you don’t really see all the amazing people that are involved as well as those behind the scenes.
“It was nice to be out and socialise while meeting others, who may be different to you, or who you may not necessarily have contact with. We all have a common interest in helping those around you and within your community.
“The work that is done is vital as it allows families to access food, toys, clothing with dignity and pride as it is at an affordable cost whilst also still putting back into the community when buying from Bundles or Yum pantry.
“It also reduces textiles waste, food waste and landfill by things just being thrown away, while putting money back into the community and events that families can access, which in turn creates bonding memories and enables child development opportunities.”
Judi Telford:
“It highlighted the good I feel is happening in the community, and the way that different groups have so many common threads. And the curry was bloody lovely!”
Richard Honey:
“As a new volunteer at Bundles I’m so impressed by the dedication, enthusiasm and creative ideas that go into offering such a brilliant resource for the community.
“It’s wonderful that here we have an example of sustainable living. Hopefully what may start as simple need might become an embedded community-led consumer habit.”
Lou Canon:
“One of the many things I love about Armley is our rich diversity of people and I see them all represented in Bundles – donating, buying, volunteering.
“Seems some of those paths likely wouldn’t cross except in Bundles. It’s bloody ace!”
Lou Cunningham:
“The work of the volunteers is central to Bundles and Yum being able to fulfil our offer to the community.
“We want our volunteers to know that they are appreciated and that we value the time and energy they give.
“We know the work is vital for the community because the community tells us how much it is needed. Having access to good-quality preloved items and a community pantry means that families and individuals can benefit without feeling marginalised.”
Yvonne Wilson:
“We are all like a huge family in the community, all wanting and trying to do the same – and to be rewarded through the social night was an honour.
“I felt like I belong somewhere. I have anxiety and am not always good in a room full of people, but I knew we were all there for the same reason, helping others and helping Armley. I feel proud to be part of that team.”
To find out more about the Armley Action Team or to volunteer at any of their community projects, email: armleyactionteam@gmail.com or search for Armley Action Team on Facebook.
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