Words: Andrea Edwards, CEO New Wortley Community Centre
A women’s group based at New Wortley Community Centre has secured funding from Leeds Civic Trust’s “Take a Seat” project.
This funding will see the design of a bench to be based near the community centre which will commemorate how the people of Leeds have come together during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leeds Civic Trust is a voluntary, non-political body who want to participate in and influence the development of the City. They look to stimulate interest in and care for the history and character of Leeds.
The bench will be designed by the members of New Wortley’s Women’s Group with help from Armley based Graft Collaborative CIC, who have previously worked in partnership with members of New Wortley Youth Board.
Members of the Youth Board will also work with Graft Collaborative on the “Take a Seat” project and help with painting the bench once the design has been agreed.
James Gray, Director at Graft Collaborative said:
“Coming together as a community is one of the most important ways we can tackle isolation and loneliness. Anything we can do to help bring people together to create and celebrate is a joy and privilege. We are really excited to be working on this project with local residents and looking forward to seeing the bench finished!”
The bench will be unveiled on 4th June 2021 simultaneously with another 14 benches across the city that have been funded as part of the “Take a Seat” project.
It’s not the first time New Wortley Community Centre has been recognised by Leeds Civic Trust as they awarded them a virtual “blue plaque” commemorating the efforts of the staff and volunteers at the centre to support local people at the height of the COVID19 pandemic.