Health and Wellbeing Initiatives Support Over 5,000 in West Yorkshire

Five-year programme delivers mental health and community support

A five-year partnership between Leeds Community Foundation and Local Care Direct has provided a range of health and wellbeing services across West Yorkshire, supporting more than 5,000 local residents. The Local Care Direct Health and Wellbeing Fund awarded 37 multi-year grants to community organisations in Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield, aiming to improve mental health and social connections among people facing various challenges.

Varied activities funded across the region

The programme supported a wide variety of initiatives designed to enhance wellbeing, including:

• Therapeutic arts, crafts and wellbeing activities for parents
• A digital health and wellbeing café offering access to health information, apps and prescriptions
• Peer and one-to-one support for men recovering from childhood sexual abuse
• Provision of essentials such as food and clothing for those unable to afford them, alongside employment and financial management assistance
• A befriending scheme to help isolated older people engage with community groups
• Bibliotherapy groups creating shared written word materials
• Outreach support for women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
• Renovation of communal spaces for people who are homeless or in insecure accommodation
• A community breakfast club for local Pakistani women to share experiences
• Therapeutic horticulture services for people seeking sanctuary
• Weekly support groups for carers of disabled adults
• Connecting people with nature through local green spaces, community gardens and woodlands
• Peer and support groups for bereaved children and young people

Impact on participants

Those supported by the programme experienced a range of benefits, including improved mental and physical health, enhanced self-care skills, stronger social networks and increased self-esteem and confidence.

One participant in Scholemoor Beacon’s project described the positive effect of the activities: “Coming here each week has really helped me. It’s warm, friendly, and I feel like I belong. I have made new friends and learnt a lot of things. I look forward to seeing familiar faces and having someone to talk to and enjoy the activities.”

The activities at Scholemoor Beacon included a weekly walking group, nutrition and exercise sessions, and an arts project culminating in an exhibition. The organisation noted that the participant had developed friendships, become part of the wider community and grown in confidence.

Ongoing community benefits

The partnership between Leeds Community Foundation and Local Care Direct has facilitated thousands of people across Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield to experience positive change through these funded projects.

Source: Leeds Community Foundation