By Andy Dalton
Staff and volunteers at the Leeds City Mission (LCM) Compassion Centre in Armley have bid farewell to volunteer Reka Hermann who has returned to Hungary.
The 20-year-old Hungarian has been in the UK for 11 months working with an international volunteer exchange programme. During her time in Leeds she has gained experience of working with various organisations including children, young people, environmental and social compassion projects. Leeds City Mission has been one of them.
Most weeks she has spent a day at the LCM Compassion Centre working alongside a team of ten local people assisting in various initiatives.
These have included receiving and allocating donations to the Pantry Project Foodbank from supermarkets/churches and making these available to visitors in need.
Reka has sorted clothes for use in the clothing bank, stored products for the personal hygiene shelf and provided new outfits of clothes for homeless visitors who have called to use the Compassion Centre’s shower. She has been able to serve many local residents who have called at the Welcome Space project who have appreciated a chat and a drink at the Welcome Space which operates five mornings of the week. She has also developed green credentials undertaking litter picks to clear up rubbish discarded by pedestrians who cross the grassed area adjacent to the LCM premises.
Reka said she had enjoyed her time spent in Leeds. It had helped to improve her spoken English. She appreciated very much the time spent at Leeds City Mission and the insight it had given her into British culture and the challenges faced by many people living in inner city areas.
City Mission Development Worker Andy Dalton thanked Reka for her tireless efforts and the significant contribution she had made to the various projects at the LCM Compassion Centre. He said that she had become a valued member of the volunteer team. He wished her well in her future studies.
Reka is returning to Hungary to start a five-year theology course at Budapest University.
Leeds City Mission is one of the oldest charities in the city being in continuous existence since 1837. It works with marginalised people and those struggling with life. It is a multi-church agency. More details on 0113 345 3118.
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