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Volunteering at New Wortley Community Centre – a hive of activity during lockdown and beyond

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Josie Armitage new wortley

There has been a hive of activity taking place at New Wortley Community Centre, with support from volunteers since people started shielding prior to the lockdown, writes Josie Armitage.

About 8,000 volunteers signed up to be Community Care volunteers through Voluntary Action Leeds as they wanted to help out during Covid-19. Around 112 of these have been supporting the work in Armley and Wortley, which has been co-ordinated through New Wortley Community Centre.

Volunteers have been supporting people through social isolation by befriending them through regular phone chats to make sure they are ok and providing support where needed. They have been delivering food parcels, medication and shopping to those who have been shielding or are struggling financially. They have been providing a weekly hot meal service to those who have been shielding.

As well as volunteers from the local community, the Leeds Rhinos and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation have been working hard to provide this support.

I have been volunteering since April, firstly dropping off food parcels and doing some shopping for local people. Since 23rd April, I have been volunteering at New Wortley Community Centre every Thursday helping with the hot meals service.

Josie Armitage in action

I have been doing a variety of duties including washing up, dishing out the hot meals and getting them ready for the volunteers who have been delivering them. Other activities have included putting food parcels together and photocopying and folding leaflets about the hot meals service ready for distribution.

I have been made welcome from the start by Barry Dalby, Andrea Edwards, Rebecca Houlding and Andrea McKenna (the Chair of Trustees). I feel very much part of the Thursday team, working with Tanya Marshall who has returned from furlough to the Centre to manage the re-opening of the Café@40.

I wanted to volunteer as I needed some structure to my day after being furloughed from my part-time role.

I felt a bit lost not going to work and struggled with motivation and not having a job to do. I had my own part time business to fall back on which has kept me increasingly busy as the lockdown has gone on.

I support charities, community organisations and social enterprises with their fundraising, finding funding opportunities, writing funding applications and providing advice and support.

I also found that going to the Centre on Thursdays was the only time I was leaving the house, apart from dropping my dad’s shopping round to him on a weekly basis.
I looked forward to going out and being with other people on a Thursday morning and still do.

Volunteers have been supporting people through social isolation by befriending them through regular phone chats to make sure they are ok and providing support where needed. 

They have been delivering food parcels, medication and shopping to those who have been shielding or are struggling financially.  They have been providing a weekly hot meal service to those who have been shielding.

Enough from me …  I interviewed other volunteers about their experiences.

Victoria Kortekaas, Volunteer co-ordinator

Victoria Kortekaas.

What has been your role?  What has this involved?

I am the Volunteer Coordinator for the Community Care volunteers who carry out a range of activities including collecting and delivering food parcels, go shopping and befriend people by phone.  Referrals come through from the Leeds City Council Helpline and I phone each person, double check the information I have been given and match them with a volunteer to support them. I collate all the information for our area.  I have been working from home throughout.

At one point we were receiving up to 16 referrals a day and had 112 new volunteers working with us.  I keep the volunteers up to date with information and check to see that that they are still available to help out.  Many are now returning to work.

How did you get involved?

I’m the Volunteer Coordinator for New Wortley Community Centre.  Usually we have about 16 volunteers with 4-5 being regular.  I support the volunteers with training and make sure that they have up to date information.

What’s been the best thing about this role?

What we’re doing at New Wortley is really important and has had a massive impact on peoples’ lives.  It’s been a lifeline for people who’ve been shielding or lost their jobs.  It’s rewarding and important for the community.  I get to chat to lovely people and know that chatting to them makes their day better and makes my day better.

We’ve had great support from the Leeds City Council PEAK team, the Leeds Rhinos and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation.  Andrea (Edwards) and Becky (Rebecca Houlding) have been great, leading the work and keeping it all going. I am so glad I have been able to do something useful.

What are the challenges?

I’ve had to deal with people in crisis which has been wearing on my own mental health.  Some calls have been very challenging. 

How long do you think it will continue?

There are still a small group of people who can’t go out and need our support.  There are more people needing support as they are losing their jobs or have mental health issues as an impact of the current situation.  There will be an increased need if we have a second wave in the winter.

Do you need any more volunteers?

We always need volunteers!  People can sign up to be a volunteer at: https://doinggoodleeds.org.uk/i-want-to-volunteer/

Community Care Volunteers

I also interviewed three Community Care volunteers who have been doing great work supporting the vulnerable in the community.

Volunteer Jo Foster

Jo Foster

What volunteering have you been doing for New Wortley Community Centre? 

I have been making weekly welfare calls to people who were self-isolating, checking how they are doing and chatting and keeping them connected with the outside world! I have delivered food parcels as and when required. I have also made regular medication deliveries and collected emergency medication for people self-isolating. 

What were you doing before Covid-19?

I work for the charity Carers Leeds supporting carers health and wellbeing. 

How did you get involved in volunteering?

When I was sent home from work at the start of lockdown and told we should expect to be at home for approximately three months, I realised I wound have an awful lot of spare time! I saw an advert/request for people with DBS checks to get involved and I knew I had to do something.

What do you enjoy about volunteering?

It has given me a real sense of purpose and structure during a time when I could have really struggled.  My usual routine of getting up and ready for work and then commuting was replaced  by a walk from my bedroom to my laptop in the kitchen! It would have been far too easy for me to laze around in my pyjamas all day and lose all sense of time! 

I have really enjoyed getting to know the people I’ve supported regularly.  It has been nice to share the bewilderment of the situation with others. And we’ve usually managed to find something to laugh about. I have liked feeling useful. 

Will you continue to volunteer post Covid-19? 

 I am happy to continue with whatever is needed. But I am especially keen to keep up with the welfare calls. Whilst all I can offer to people is a voice at the end of a phone, we have shared such a weird/scary/strange experience that I would like to stay in touch and would be sad for it to end 

Rhea Butler

Volunteer Rhea Butler

What volunteering have you been doing for New Wortley Community Centre? 

I have been delivering food parcels to people and shopping for residents.  To start with, this was nearly every day.  Now it’s two-three times a week.

What were you doing before Covid-19?

I left a full time role in administration in February with the plan to find another job as there were plenty around.  Then Covid-19 hit. 

How did you get involved in volunteering?

When lockdown started, I had to do something.  It was the opportunity for me to get out and help others who couldn’t go out.  I signed up for the government volunteer scheme and got involved in making phone calls to people for a short while.  I preferred the opportunity to meet people face to face.

What do you enjoy about volunteering?

As the virus situation developed, I thought helping to provide support to others would be a way of making myself useful.  I have met some great people.  People who I otherwise wouldn’t have met.  I have enjoyed doing things for people.  They are so grateful for what we are doing.  Some people have been quite eager to chat and I think they appreciate the opportunity to talk as some are having quite a lonely time.  A smile and a thank you has its own rewards for me.

Will you continue to volunteer post Covid-19? 

 I want to continue as long as I have got time.  I am currently applying for jobs.  If I get a part time job, I will probably continue.  If I get a full time job, it depends on time.

Angela Holt

What volunteering have you been doing for New Wortley Community Centre? 

I have been collecting food parcels and dropping them off to local people.  I have an 11 year old son and my own transport so have been fitting this around my childcare and home schooling commitments.

What were you doing before Covid-19?

I work as a Legal Assistant for a law firm and was furloughed from this at Easter.  I had been working 4 days a week (not Wednesdays).  I had been thinking about getting involved in volunteering on Wednesdays.  I do some ad hoc volunteering at my son’s school so I can find out more about what the school are doing.

What inspired you to volunteer?

I had a vision of lots of elderly and vulnerable people self-isolating and not able to go out or have anyone to help them.  They would be alone and struggling.  I knew that I had to do something to help.

What do you enjoy about volunteering?

I get a sense of satisfaction when people say thanks when I drop their food parcels off.  I have a chat with them and this may be the only interaction they have with someone.  I am happy to give my time to help people.  It doesn’t cost anything to give my time and by giving so little, I can help people.

Will you continue to volunteer post Covid-19? 

 I will have less time over the summer as my son is on holiday from school.  When he goes back to school, I will be more than happy to help out.  I didn’t realise how much volunteering goes on and what is happening in the community.  I think that the work that New Wortley Community Centre is great.  They have carried on supporting people throughout the lockdown and are still supporting them, where other organisations have closed and not been able to do this.

In summary, volunteering for New Wortley Community Centre has been a rewarding experience for me and the other volunteers.  Our work has been appreciated and we have been happy to feel useful.  As Victoria Kortekaas says:

We have had really solid volunteers who have been there every day to help out.  All the volunteers have been amazing and have put my faith back in humanity.  We couldn’t have done this without them.

Army paramedic takes on Armley’s ‘killer stairs’ challenge for hospice

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westleedslife
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A Farnley woman is set to complete 59 sets of Armley Park’s 161 ‘killer stairs’ to raise vital funds for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Headingley.

32-year-old Natalie Brook, who is an army paramedic at Catterick Garrison, will tackle the famous Victorian steps in memory of her mum, Sandra, who was cared for at home by the Wheatfields Hospice Community Team before she passed away in July 2019 aged 57.

Natalie and mum Sandra

Natalie said:

“Mum got the all-clear after having bowel cancer in 2016, but sadly a scan in 2018 revealed that it had come back in three places and there’s nothing more they could do.

“My mum always said she wanted to be at home when she passed away and Sue Ryder Nurses from Wheatfields Hospice always used to visit us to offer support and help relieve some of her pain. They were absolutely fantastic and now I want to give something back by raising money for them, which will help other families that are going through similar experiences.

“I love running up and down the Armley Park steps to keep fit, but even during training I have only done a maximum of 30 sets, so this will be a huge challenge! I always think of my mum when I’m doing any kind of fitness and I know on the day she’ll be on my mind and getting me up the stairs.”

Natalie will wear a 7.5kg weighted vest during the stair-climb challenge, which is taking place on Sunday 23 August – what would have been her mum’s 59th birthday. She hopes to finish in less than three hours.

The 161 Armley Park steps are used by runners each week

Kirsty Christmas, Community Fundraising Manager at Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, said:

“We are so in awe of Natalie taking on this gruelling challenge to help raise funds for the hospice in memory of her mum. During this challenging time we remain heavily reliant on individuals donating and fundraising for us so we can continue to be there when it matters for patients and their loved ones.”

Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice provides expert palliative care and support for people who are living with a life-limiting condition, as well as supporting their families. It also offers community services for people who prefer to receive palliative care at home.

With fundraising events cancelled for the rest of this year and no clear indication of how long it will take for Sue Ryder’s charity shops to return to normal trading, the hospice anticipates a funding gap of £1.1m for this financial year.

Donate to Natalie’s fundraising page here.

In photos: Bramley commemorates VJ Day with emotional ceremony

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westleedslife
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Photo: Philip McConnell

Saturday, 15th August marked the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, the surrender of Japan and the end of the Second World War.

The Friends of Bramley War Memorial held a socially distanced ceremony with a small number of people, which included the reading out of the names of those who their lives, the laying of wreaths, readings and a two-minute silence.

To make up for the lack of attendees due to Covid-19 restrictions, West Leeds Dispatch live-streamed the event on Facebook. The live stream has so far been watched more than 1,300 times.

Here are some of the photographs taken on the day by Philip McConnell.

Mark’s History: The Wortley man who built a house with a view

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wortley grave
Photo: Mark Stevenson

I like to think that when James Bateson (a mill owner from Wortley born in 1776) was looking for somewhere to build his home that he looked at the view and thought to himself “what a beautiful view, I am going to build my new home here”, writes Mark Stevenson.

Which is what he did in the early 1800’s, calling it Belle Vue – French for ‘beautiful view’.

LANDMARK: Highfield, Wortley. Photo: Mark Stevenson

At some point, its name was changed to Highfield. There was a field a few 100 metres down the road called Highfield which was owned by James that is called Highfield Avenue today. The census has James still living at Highfield with his wife Hannah in 1841. 

James is buried in St John the Evangelist Churchyard in Wortley.

Photo: Mark Stevenson

By 1891 we have a Thomas Turner (born 1845) living at Highfields. His occupation is down as a wholesale grocer and he had a business on Call Lane in Town. 

Thanks to Zack Davis we have some photos of Thomas his son Percival and daughter-in-law Edith.

Percy. Photo courtesy Zack Davis

Thomas died in 1909 and his grave can be found in Upper & Lower Wortley Cemetery where he is buried with his wife Mary, Percival and his grandson Herbert who was killed in action in France in 1916.

Edith. Photo courtesy Zack Davis

By 1911 Leonard Glover (born 1860) a woollen cloth manufacturer had moved in. He was living at Highfield with his wife, two daughters, son, son-in-law (who was a dentist) and his grandson.

In 1911 there is another entry on the census for Highfields for a Harold Glover (born 1886) who was a mill manager.

Now, it could be that I have been watching too much of the likes of Downton Abbey, but Harold was 25 and his wife Edith Mary was twice his age at 50. Their servant Alice was 17. Could the age gap of caused tensions?

Highfields still stands today on Lynwood View in Wortley and is Grade ll listed.

West Leeds planning applications: 16 August 2020

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westleedslife
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Each week we publish lists of planning applications related to council wards in West Leeds.

The following applications were published on on the Leeds City Council website in the past seven days:

Armley Ward

Bramley & Stanningley Ward

Calverley & Farsley Ward

Farnley & Wortley Ward

Kirkstall Ward


6.0m single storey rear extension, 3.95m to ridge height, 2.6m to eaves, 76 St Annes Drive, Burley, Leeds LS4 2RZ.

Pudsey Ward

Backyard bingo brings community together in Bramley

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bramley backyard bingo
Photo: BEA

THE impact of coronavirus on our way of life has been a real challenge for many of us, writes Jo Fiddes.

Bramley Elderly Action’s view is that when the worst of this crisis is over we should not return to business as usual, but instead we should build upon the community spirit which has been evident across West Leeds over the past few months.

HOUSE! A lucky winner at Backyard bingo. Photo: BEA

With this in mind, they have recently launched “Backyard Bingo”, a project aimed at strengthening the local connections many of us have built up since lockdown began.

My neighbours and I took the plunge and had our first game. It was a bit of a wet and windy day, but we were undeterred. Bramley Elderly Action provided all the equipment along with instructions on running a Covid safe bingo game.

All very clear and comprehensive – nothing too difficult – you just had to be prepared to give it a go! We set up our outdoor bingo hall on the back street – socially distanced chairs, everyone using their own pens and bingo books (provided!)….then it was eyes down!

For our inaugural game we managed to twist the arm of Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves to be our bingo caller, and her experience in the House of Commons ensured she kept participants in check and remained completely un-phased by the good natured banter.

Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves taking part in backyard bingo.

Wearing gloves and a bingo caller visor, and using a megaphone, she led us through an enjoyable half hour, and declared it the most fun she’d had for a while.

Novelty prizes (home-made jam and packets of pasta) brought out our competitive spirit and gave us something to play for.

Mostly though, we laughed and giggled and declared Backyard Bingo a big hit! Why wouldn’t you want to have a bit of banter with your neighbours playing bingo in the wind and drizzle, the excitement building as you feel you might win a packet of spaghetti!

Fran Graham of Bramley Elderly Action & OWLS (Older Wiser Local Seniors) said:

“The community spirit we’ve seen during this pandemic has been terrific, but it would be easy to slip back into our usual routines again while many people are still struggling and feeling lonely.

“Imagine if we carried that community spirit on, got to know our neighbours better, and made our areas as friendly as possible? Hosting Backyard Bingo in your area is a great way to bring some much-needed fun to our neighbourhoods this summer.“

If you’d like to host outdoor socially-distanced Backyard Bingo in Bramley, Swinnow and parts of Stanningley call BEA 0113 236 1644 or e-mail info@bramleyea.org.uk / or in Kirkstall, Burley, Headingley, Hyde Park, Little Woodhouse call OWLS 0113 369 7077 / e-mail infoowls@gmail.com. Staff will provide you with everything you need.

West Leeds families urged to take #VegRocksrainbow challenge

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westleedslife
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veg rocks rainbow

Families in West Leeds are being encouraged to get involved in the #VegRocksrainbow challenge, writes Josie Armitage.

As part of the Healthy Holidays programme this summer, FoodWise Leeds has launched the #VegRocksRAINBOW challenge to encourage families to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables.

This is a city-wide initiative but there are many Healthy Holiday projects taken place in West Leeds including with BARCA, Bramley Baths, New Wortley Community Centre, Pudsey Parish, Bramley Community Centre and Seagulls Paint.

West Leeds did so well with the earlier #vegrocks competition that Sonja Woodcock at Foodwise Leeds wants to encourage families in West Leeds to take part.

Why eat a Rainbow?

Eating a variety of types and colours of fruit and vegetables helps your body to get the right mix of vitamins and minerals to grow and maintain a strong immune system.

No single fruit or vegetable contains all the nutrients your body needs, so we aim to eat a rainbow of colours.

How to enter

  • Download the #VegRockRainbow image https://tinyurl.com/y2ycjajh, get a copy from your local Healthy Holiday project or draw your own rainbow
  • Every time you eat a different coloured fruit or vegetable, colour in the corresponding stripe on the rainbow. If you eat some peas you could draw some green peas in the stripe or colour in the stripe green. Be creative!
  • You can complete the rainbow in one meal, one day or one week!
  • Once you’ve completed your rainbow, take a photo and share on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #VegRocksRainbow and tag @foodwiseleeds and put it up in your front window for others to see & join in!
  • If you don’t have access to social media, ask your local Healthy Holiday project to share for you

Win prizes!

The #VegRocksRainbow challenge runs until Friday 28th August. Winners will be chosen from the rainbows posted on social media. PRIZES include shopping vouchers, vegboxes delivered to your home & recipe books!

Have fun this summer eating the rainbow and posting your completed #VegRocksRainbow on social media to win prizes!

TikTok Challenge

DAZL Leeds have created this fun #VegRocksRainbow TikTok dance! Join Chloe and learn the dance!

Reopening all Leeds play areas ‘impossible’ under current Covid-19 restrictions says West Leeds councillor

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westleedslife
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Replaced: The existing playground in Armley Park.

A West Leeds councillor has claimed it is “simply not possible” for the authority to safely reopen all of its local play areas due to government Covid-19 restrictions, writes Richard Beecham.

The claims come after the leader of the council’s opposition Conservatives group accused decision makers of “a failure of leadership” for their handling of reopening playgrounds in local parks.

Coun Andrew Carter (Con. Calverley & Farsley) claimed a plan coming forward on how to open playgrounds under the current government guidance, claiming decision-makers in the Labour-run authority were “hiding behind overly risk-averse advice”.

The council’s executive board member responsible Coun Mohammed Rafique (Lab) claimed the authority had already reopened seven playgrounds and was finalising plans to open “significantly more very soon”.

But he added the council has requested the government redraws its Covid safety guidance for play areas in large cities, warning it was “simply not possible” for the authority to safely open every play area in line with the current safety restrictions.

But Coun Carter claimed the number opened so far did not go far enough, and that a plan should have already been in place to ensure more could open safely.

He said:

“Sadly I feel Leeds City Council is being embarrassed by our constituent town and parish councils with regard to the re-opening of playgrounds.

“Under the same government guidance, they have managed to do what the city council has singularly avoided by hiding behind overly risk-averse advice.

“I believe it simply comes from a complete breakdown in political leadership from this administration. If the will were there, a way would have been found to make it happen.”

Play areas had originally been declared out of bounds back in the Spring due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

Original plans to reopen parks announced in mid-July had been delayed for a week following further government advice on public safety. The authority then confirmed it would begin reopening six of its play areas on July 23.

However, since then only one further play area has been reopened, meaning that out of 200 council-run play areas, only seven are able to be used.

Coun Carter stressed he did not want to suggest taking a “cavalier” attitude to public safety, but added the public “understand the situation much more than we give them credit for”.

He added: “Regrettably, I am now of the opinion there is no plan to get them open, only a plan to keep them closed. Our children have lost so much this year due to Covid, through not seeing friends while home schooling, now is the time they should be out in the park playing during the holidays and just being children.”

According to government guidance published last month, all owners of play areas and outdoor gyms need to carry out a Covid-19 risk assessment on each facility.

It added users should be able to safely observe one metre-plus social distancing rules and, if possible, introduce a maximum number of users, or even a booking system. Regular cleaning should also take place on equipment.

Coun Mohammed Rafique, the council’s executive member for environment and active lifestyles, claimed this was unrealistic for an area the size of Leeds to undertake.

He said:

“People will appreciate the need to be cautious when it comes to managing the risks of Covid-19. For playgrounds our primary focus has to be on the safety of children and families using them.

“However we understand that many families want to see playgrounds reopen safely which is why we have already reopened seven and we are finalising a detailed plan and risk assessment to open significantly more across the city very soon. In the meantime, we thank everyone for their patience and for following the guidance on safe use of public spaces.

He added the parish and district councils referred to by Coun Carter only managed a “very small” number of playgrounds, and it was therefore easier for them to meet government safety guidelines.

“There are around 2,000 pieces of play equipment in playgrounds under Leeds City Council’s responsibility,” he said. “This means it is simply not possible for us to keep them all safe to use in line with the government guidance.

“As a result, we have written to the government to demand they review the guidance for councils who manage a large number of playgrounds over a large geographic area like we do in Leeds.

“To date we have had no response from the government on this and I would remind Coun Carter that it is paramount that we all work together at this time of national crisis to keep the people of Leeds safe while doing everything we can to reopen facilities.”

Bramley Park playground re-opens

Bramley and Stanningley’s councillors have announced that the playground in Bramley Park will be open at the weekend. Posting on Facebook, councillors Caroline Gruen, Jools Heselwood and Kevin Ritchie said:

“Obviously hand sanitising and social distancing within bubbles should be adhered to and you may have to wait your turn, but the playground will be open this weekend. Bramley and stanningley councillors and Rachel Reeves MP have lobbied for the playground to be opened and we’re very pleased that it now is.”

Armley: Woman killed after being hit by a van

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westleedslife
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A 69-year-old woman has died after being hit by a van in Armley.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident yesterday morning, in which a pedestrian died.

At 10.14am on Thursday (13 August) police were called to the incident on Back Athlone Grove, Armley, where a Ford Transit van had been involved in a collision with the woman.

She was taken to hospital by ambulance but was pronounced dead a short time later.

The driver of the van, a man in his fifties, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by driving without due care and attention. He was later released under investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or the circumstances leading up to it is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police Major Collision Enquiry Team via 101 quoting Operation Pestlebank or online via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat.

Team door-knocks Kirkstall homes to offer Covid-19 advice

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westleedslife
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kirkstall leisure centre
Improvements: Kirkstall Leisure Centre

A team of eight people have leafleted houses in parts of Kirkstall to advise residents on how to stay safe after a cluster of Covid-19 cases in the area.

It’s understood this was the first door-knocking activity in Leeds to help keep people aware of what they need to do, where to get a test and how to keep safe  in a bid to stop the number of cases from escalating. The team included volunteers, Barca Leeds staff and a member of Leeds City Council’s public health team.

A council spokesperson said more people answered doors than expected and added:

“A diverse and wide spectrum of residents were spoken to. For example within three streets we spoke to five families outside their homes and they selected which leaflets in which languages they wanted. The families we met were very warm, very receptive and very grateful.”

Mobile testing units have also been made available at Kirkstall Leisure Centre and people with symptoms can also book tests at other locations in Leeds. A testing facility is also being set up at Pudsey Civic Hall next week.

Advice on how to keep safe includes keep a safe distance from others, wash your hands regularly, for 20 seconds, wearing a face covering on public transport, shops and in healthcare settings and no-one in your household should leave home if any one person has symptoms.

If you have symptoms, stay at home and book a free test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or ring 119.

More advice and guidance over Coronavirus can be found here.

Harehills is the other area of Leeds to see a cluster of cases recorded.

Tonnes of dumped rubbish removed from Farnley road

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green lane farnley
Photo: Clean Leeds

Several tonnes of illegally dumped waste had to be removed from a road in Farnley after it blocked access for emergency vehicles.

Clean Leeds team from Leeds City Council cleared the plasterboard, cardboard and loft insulation that had been dumped in Green Lane.

Posting on Twitter, Clean Leeds said:

“Tonnes of Plaster Board & loft insulation removed today from #green lane #LS12 after someone decided to Dump it & block access for Emergency services & Refuse #Yourwaste #Yourresponsibility #crimenottocare please #report it if you see it #oneleeds #onelove @James_A_Rogers.”

The clean-up came after Wortley resident Matt Gibson tweeted:

Mental health foundation sets up new base in West Leeds

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westleedslife
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Image: Google

THE James Burke Foundation, a charity to set up to provide education and support on mental health and suicide prevention has set up its national office at Proton business park in New Wortley, writes Paul Abraham.

The foundation was formed after 21-year-old law student and commonwealth games rugby player James Burke took his own life in 2017.

His mother Sharon Burke is the driving force to make sure that her son’s death will prove a catalyst to bring an end to the stigma of mental health issues and reduce the numbers of suicides by showing that there is another way. Sharon said:

“To be based in West Leeds is tremendous for us with the support we already receive from the area and is now going to give the foundation the solid base to move things forward.

“The office represents a significant investment in the area and our desire to provide support training, one-to-one counselling, coaching and support to anyone who needs it.

“The amazing positivity the charity has received (over 20,000 views in total) following a series of videos produced during the recent Mental Health Awareness Week has given the foundation some incredible feedback.

“It illustrates the need for pro-active training to help people cope with their mental health issues during these incredibly stressful and trying times.”

Sharon added: “I want James to have been for something.

“I desperately want to turn this huge negative into a positive. The James Burke Foundation needs to be and will be synonymous with positive things.

“If I can stop one person feeling the way I do then it will have been a success, if we can stop one young person feeling they’re at the point of no return then it’s a success.

“I just want James’ legacy to be positive because that’s how he lived his life.”

The Foundation wants to say a huge thank you to Bramley-based Paul Abraham, of www.headingonwards.com, for sponsoring the furniture which meant the office could open and also to Bramley Buffaloes Rugby League Club, who proudly promote the charity on their first-team strip.

The Foundation is looking for people to get involved with the work they do, as volunteers, fundraisers or to take part in the training and support available,
Proton Business Park is based off Percy Street, at the bottom of Tong Road.

For more information on the foundation and how it could help you please visit The James Burke Foundation Facebook page or e-mail sharon@thejamesburkefoundation.com.

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