Swinnow Community Centre recently received a visit from elected members and officers of Leeds Council, writes Neil Ruddy.
The purpose of the visit was to learn about how different community initiatives across the Leeds area, such as Swinnow Community Centre, engage with the local community.
Four community initiatives had been picked and Swinnow was one of them.
The elected members and officers wanted to learn more about how the community work together resolving local problems, for example, social isolation and physical/mental well-being.
In addition they wanted to learn more about how from a practical point of view this could be achieved in community centre setting.
The community group that runs Swinnow Community Centre did a presentation. I introduced each member of the team their role and contribution to the centres daily activities. The community group is comprised of:
- Chairperson
- Community secretary
- Treasurer
- Events co-ordinator
- Garden co-ordinator
- Safeguarding/training co-ordinator
All the above except the chairperson are volunteers and give up their time for free so that activities are planned, organised and run for the benefit of the local community.