Words: Andy Dalton
Volunteers are organising an open afternoon at their new Compassion Centre in Armley.
On Saturday (25 June 2022) Leeds City Mission will be throwing open its doors and serving cream teas at its new centre in Mistress Lane between 2.30pm and 4.30pm
It is one of the Mission’s first public events as it brings its renovation project to a conclusion.
Over the past two years volunteers have gutted and renovated the old Mission Room.
It was previously used as the Gospel Temperance Mission Room for many years by the Yorkshire Band of Hope Union (YBHU). After the move of YBHU to Huddersfield it was bought by Leeds City Mission in 2019 as a base for its different activities and projects.
In addition to its worship and prayer facilities, it will now host a range of social projects to meet needs in the community – including a foodbank, pop-up charity shop, counselling and practical help for those at the margins of life.
There will be a bargain book sale and a pop-up charity shop in the afternoon so visitors can browse and buy items of interest. Cream teas will be served. Tables will be erected on the adjoining grassed area so that people can relax, chat and enjoy the refreshments in the summer sunshine.
Volunteers have already been hard at work this week. They have mown the overgrown grassed area at the side of the Mission Room. Others have been busy baking scones and obtaining the refreshments, as well as additional chairs and tables.
Organisers say the extensive work had elicited a lot of interest from local people. While there were some residual jobs to complete they were now able to initiate and run a number of projects to help people at the margins. It was hoped to hold an official civic opening ceremony once the remaining jobs have been completed.
Leeds City Mission is a Christian agency which has worked with marginalised people over three centuries and seeks to meet the physical, social and spiritual needs of Leeds residents. It was founded in 1837 and is one of the city’s oldest charities.
WLD featured a visit from Leeds’ Lord Mayor, who popped in for breakfast, earlier this month.
