By Katherine Turner
Community stalwart Jackie Scargill was nominated by WLD reader Josie Armitage for the care she gives to the members of Bramley Elderly Action’s weekly reading group.
She is the second WLD ‘community champion‘ to be nominated by readers for the contribution she makes to her community.
Josie said: “Jackie has been running the weekly reading group for elderly ladies at Bramley Elderly Action since January 2021 when she moved to Bramley from Headingley.
“She started to do this as a volunteer during the Covid-19 lockdowns over a combination of zoom and telephone to meet the needs of the group.”
Josie heaped praise on Jackie and added: “She has transformed this into a weekly face-to-face group session at Bramley Community Centre with some members still joining by phone.
“She has gone out of her way to support members to be able to take part in the sessions and also sorted out any minor issues for members.”
Bramley Elderly Action provides opportunities for older people in Bramley, Swinnow and parts of Stanningley. Offering weekly activities, day trips, a befriending scheme, support with technology alongside general information and advice.
Activities include a weekly drop-in cafe, craft group, line dancing, exercise classes, ukulele lessons, quizzes and much more. They provide a vital service for over 60’s in the area.
Jackie was over the moon to be nominated, telling WLD: “I feel honoured because I love my volunteering, I don’t do it for the recognition as I feel that I am giving back to my community.”
Jackie told us about the work she does: “I took over the running of the group after the lady who ran it left after lockdown. I have four ladies in the room with me and three ladies who I ring. We all take turns to read part of that week’s book.
“The books come from an affiliation I set up with Bramley Library so we don’t have to buy books and can choose what we read. We meet for an hour from 2pm every Wednesday at Bramley Community Centre.
“I also do other volunteering at the centre around Christmas time.”
According to Age UK, more than 2 million people in England over the age of 75 live alone, and more than a million older people say they go over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member. Thanks to volunteers like Jackie and the Bramley Elderly Action Group our older generation can feel less isolated.
If you would like to volunteer or would like any more information please visit bramleyea.org.uk or email hrbramleyea@gmail.com
Bramley Elderly Action is based at Bramley Community Centre, Waterloo Lane, Bramley, Leeds LS13 2JB. Telephone 0113 2361644.
Nominate a community champion
To nominate a Community Champion simply drop us an email at news@westleedsdispatch.com with the name of the person you would like to nominate and the reasons why.
Please include your name and telephone number so that we can contact you.
The February WLD ‘community champion’ was Wortley resident Debbie Binnersley for her work with the LS12 School uniform scheme.
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