Wellbeing hub.
I’m not going to waffle on too much on this matter, suffice to say that I a trustee/treasurer for a local charity that supports the mental health and wellbeing of residents of Burley in Wharfedale and Menston.
I’m working with the trustees to make the charity more effective and that means moving into new areas, and above all fundraising, something which I really enjoy.
There’s a weekly Wednesday morning session, between 10.00am and 12.00 midday at the Scout Hut on Peel Place, Burley in Wharfedale. Session are for residents aged 18+ and are manned by a GP and a retired GP. It’s totally free to attend.
This is a group session. Matters of a private nature can be discussed in private consultation rooms.
Youth work, Bradford need to ‘level up‘ across the district.
I have long recognised the need for youth support in the local community. Unfortunately, over the past few years, youth service provision in both Shipley and Keighley was cut nearly 2-years ago. Bradford East, Bradford South and Bradford West Parliamentary constituencies benefit from individual pots of funding whilst Shipley & Keighley Parliamentary consituencies must share a pot – Labour controlled Bradford council’s concept of ‘levelling up‘ doesn’t apply to us. That simply isn’t right!
There’s no provision for children in the community other than Scouts and Guides, and that’s not for everyone so I have had to consider alternatives. In the past Loraine Hughes was a fantastic ambassador in our community for youth provision through Youthquake, however,
Youthquake no longer exists, and the Slice of Life is struggling to continue its work. It must be noted that the Slice of Life is supported by the Delifresh Foundation who are generously subsidising the cost of their food, and who have also provided architectural work free. Many thanks to Norah K (Delifresh Foundation) who is a trustee of the charity I work with.
Although Burley is widely perceived as an affluent area, we have many children whose caregivers struggle to pay fees. Lots of parents and children enquire about classes, but parents can’t afford to participate. This can’t be tolerated in the medium-term.
I’m currently working to re-establish youth provision in Burley and Menston, and already working hard to get funding that will allow disadvantaged kids to participate in already established weekly sessions that are designed to:
- Promote inclusivity.
- I’m looking at classes and camps to support children with physical need and I will be supporting children who have been diagnosed with autism etc.
- Improve children’s confidence and self-worth.
- Develop social skills.
- Give children a chance to do something other than to sit at home.
It’s a huge undertaking, however, I have already taken the first steps.
We need to do more than promote and protect community projects, they need to be driven forward and properly funded. This is the real challenge, not just talking the talk.