By John Baron
A community project which provided lifeline support during the Covid pandemic has celebrated its fifth birthday with a special event.
Pudsey Community Project exists to support and empower vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Pudsey, Swinnow, Calverley, Farsley, Rodley and Woodhall.
Last year its foodbank distributed 818 food parcels, its Reduce Reuse Kids’ Clothes section gave out over seven tonnes of fabric and the community pantry had 4,832 visits, saving customers over £96,500 on shopping bills.
CEO Richard Dimery welcomed attendees to a special birthday celebration at the project’s base in Fartown on Friday.
“We are always listening to our community and bringing people together to make a local difference,” Mr Dimery said. “Our values are those of a community anchor – being a gateway, not just a gatekeeper.
“We value the local, not just seeking to change what is wrong but celebrate and amplify what is right in the community.”
Pudsey Community Project also runs a weekly older people’s lunch club on Wednesdays, which is attended by almost 30 people, and there are seven youth and children’s sessions, including after school Lego and arts/crafts.
A repair cafe runs monthly, as well as a bereavement support cafe. The project also ran employability skills and support training over six months last year to help people get back into employment.
PCP, which boasts 120 volunteers, is looking to the future.
It has also received funding to improve windows, insulation, electrics and install a new lift at its base, and is looking to pilot teen mentoring work after Easter, as well as setting up a charity shop, a ‘library of things’ and Pudsey Community Cinema.
Mr Dimery added: “The often quoted African proverb says ‘if you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together’ and the team work which has made PCP successful shows how true this is.”
More details about Pudsey Community Project and its services can be found here.