Better Together
Better Together, funded by Leeds City Council Public Health, is a collaborative partnership between Health for All, St Lukes Cares, Holbeck Together and ASHA. The Better Together programme provides an inclusive array of group activities, events and individual support across south Leeds. It supports people from all ethnicities to receive the ‘right support at the right time’. Our four Community Development workers in the Better Together team enable both individuals and groups to achieve better health outcomes.
The team uses community health development approaches, establishing groups in response to need and interests, running health enhancing events, promoting health messages and campaigns in centres within the hearts of communities. Over 5700 adults were supported along with 50 groups serving communities including Bangladeshi, Chinese, Hongkongers, eastern European, young mums, older people, community choirs, peer support and activity groups offering health walks, gardening, parents & tots, mental health support, music and dance, arts and crafts, ESOL, exercise. Weekly groups are supported by staff and volunteers with the necessary language skills and cultural knowledge and are supported to independence so enabling their sustainability through small grants.
Pat McGeever, CEO of Health for All, who will be helping deliver Better Together, said:
“We’re really looking forward to helping to deliver this new service, building on the excellent work so many people and organisations in the city already do. By working with people in the communities where the change is most important we can make sure support is tailored to their needs and circumstances.
“By building community capacity, increasing social capital and strengthening individual and community resilience, both individuals and groups can take more control over their own health and help build sustainable communities.”
What’s On – Activities and Events
Mondays
Parents & Tots Together (Ages 0–5)
- 9:30am–11:00am
- St Matthew’s Community Centre
- Term time only
- £1 per family
- Free play, toys, crafts, singing, stories and snacks
Wednesdays
Walking Group (All ages welcome)
- 1:30pm-2:30pm
- Meet at St Matthew’s Community Centre
- Weather permitted
- Fun, active afternoon followed by coffee and refreshments in our Cafe
Fridays
Games and Quiz Afternoon (All ages welcome)
- 1:00pm-2:30pm
- St Matthew’s Community Centre
- £1 per person
School Holidays
Healthy Holidays Sessions
- Lane End Primary School
- Sports, crafts, activities and meals for children
- Runs during school holiday periods rather than on a fixed weekday
Monthly / Occasional
Pop-up Soft Play Sessions/Group Outings
- Mentioned in Holbeck Together newsletters as a monthly family activity
- Check current events/newsletters for dates
- Keep an eye on our socials regarding upcoming trips and events
Meet Katie, Our Community Development Worker (Better Together)
I’m Katie, Community Development Worker for Holbeck Together. This role is part of the Better Together project, which provides a range of group activities and events in South Leeds. I facilitate our Parents and Tots group and will be setting up new community groups based on what the community’s needs and wants.
For more information, or to submit any feedback, contact Katie@holbecktogether.org or call the office on 0113 245 5553.
