Do you sometimes feel lonely or isolated? A new West Leeds-based community enterprise is hoping to make social isolation a thing of the past.
Creative Communities CIC runs a number of activities in Bramley and Pudsey aimed at bringing lonely people together for company and friendship.
The CIC is the work of three West Leeds residents Julie Botham, Helen Garrand and Barbara Beck. Helen told The Dispatch:
“I live on my own. I’m involved in a lot of different community activities and get out and about, but when that door locks that’s it, I’m home and by myself – nobody comes to see me.
“Loneliness and isolation can affect everyone, not just older people, for instance it’s something you can see among the unemployed or people who have had big changes to their lives. That’s why we set up Creative Communities CIC.”
The CIC runs coffee mornings at Pudsey House on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9.30am-12 noon. People of all ages are welcome to attend. Helen adds:
“Loneliness can affect people’s health and well being in a variety of ways and it is proven that reducing isolation can have a beneficial affect on both physical and mental health.”
On November 17 the CIC is also providing food on the night of the Pudsey Christmas Lights switch-on and hosting community stalls in Pudsey House.
Crafts, sweets, bakes and coffee will be on offer on October 21 at Pudsey House (9.30-12.30pm) when a fundraiser for the CIC held. All welcome to attend.
A monthly Better Together café is held at Trinity Church in Bramley – the next ones are on November 9 and December 14 (2-4pm) and all are welcome to attend.
The CIC also offers a sitting support service to provide company for people in their own homes across the West Leeds area.
Also part of the CIC is the Bramley-based Sassy Divas women’s group.
Sassy Divas are a group of women of all ages and a variety of backgrounds who meet to learn new skills, chat and eat cakes. The group lots of different events and speakers from sewing, crafts, paper crafting, floristry, chocolate making.
The Bramley Grows group brings people together to help them grow then use fresh produce in their cooking. Yesterday (Sunday) saw people gather at Bramley Lawn Social Centre to celebrate the best of the autumn apple and make chutney, apple bread and crumble, amongst other things.
And the Grow Your Own Pizza group encourages you to grow your own veg from seed and then use the veg on your own pizzas. Helen added:
“A lot of people on their own do not want to cook. We show how they can be creative and grow and cook for themselves, which in turn helps their mental and physical wellbeing.”
If you’re interested in joining one of the groups, coffee mornings or services, Creative Communities can be contacted here.