By Jean Hollings
Just three weeks after moving base, Armley Helping Hands has held a special celebration.
The transition to their new premises at a cost of around £35,000 was funded by local people going that extra mile with fundraising.
A celebratory event this week said a big thank you to everyone for their support in making it happen.The ongoing projected rent of their new premises on Cross Grasmere Street will between £10-15,000 per annum.
Their doors have remained open and their activities are continuing to operate as scheduled.
Leeds Lord Mayor, Cllr Dan Cohen, opened the celebrations, thanking everyone involved in this monumental community achievement of relocating in three weeks.
He said Armley Helping Hands do their best work working in and with their community and beyond. “Cross Grasmere Street Sheltered Housing Community Centre is an amazing location to support their community cohesion,” Cllr Cohen said. He finished by asking the team to keep doing what they are doing.
Cllr Andy Parnham with Leeds Lord Mayor Cllr Dan Cohen
Vice chair Sue Sanders thanked to individual organisations, volunteers, local councillors, board members, Cross Grasmere Street residents and members for their fundraising and support.
Zoe Bryson from BTE Plant Sales on Carr Croft Drive, said all employees – including in their Head Office in Leicester – took part in a 12-hour charity peloton cycle ride to raise funds.
Joanne Brophy, of West Leeds based Hookers and Clickers, Do It for charity group said: “It’s been a privilege to work alongside the fantastic team at Armley Helping Hands to fundraise to enable them to continue to be appreciated.”
In attendance were many of the local councillors. who all supported Armley Helping Hands during this traumatic and difficult time.
Cllr Andy Parnham (Lab, Armley) said: “I’m delighted that Armley Helping Hands have found a new home. The service users along with the local residents seem happy with the move.”
Farnley & Wortley Cllr Kate Haigh said: “Armley Helping Hands is a brilliant organisation where nothing is too much when helping their members. Its been a delight in helping find them a new home.”
Cllr Adrian McCluskey (Lab, Farnley & Wortley) added: “I’m really pleased to be able to play a part with Dawn and her team and Leeds City Council to ensure that a practically empty building into a functioning premises.”
Cllr David Blackburn (Green, Farnley & Wortley) said Armley Helping Hands was a neighbourhood network flagship organisation which always had his full support.
Jon Hindley, from Leeds City Council Public Health, added: “Armley Helping Hands are the bedrock of the community and have been responsible for improving and maintaining lives of our over 60 year olds.”
A couple of the residents of Cross Grasmere Sheltered Housing complex who didn’t want to be named stated that ‘its handy having it here now, and they feel safer when using the building because there is usually someone in and offering a cuppa and chat’.
Even after three weeks staff and service users stated that the new venue felt like home.
Dawn Newsome CEO expressed her gratitude and appreciation. In a statement, she said: “As I look back over the last 30 years and as always looking ahead, the key strength has always been community collaboration. It continues to amaze me how lucky I am to have such a network of amazing people and organisations
“Our success at Armley Helping Hands is a testament to what happens when we work together with a shared vision. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your unwavering support and for being the heart of this community.”
Armley Helping Hands chair Hazel Boutle and vice chair Sue Sanders said: “We celebrated the amazing people who work alongside Armley Helping Hands on a daily basis to make our community a safer, kinder, and better place to live in, but more importantly to individuals who stepped forward at one of our most challenging times in 30 years in relocating our service.
“To our local businesses, community partners, colleagues in Leeds City Council, health and social care and everyone working behind the scenes: Their dedication to support our relocation to Cross Grasmere Street sheltered housing community centre and their ongoing support is the backbone of our charity and the wider community.
“They show us every day what it means to serve others with courage and care. We are incredibly lucky to have you, and we want you to know that your hard work never goes unnoticed. Thank you for everything you do!”
Armley Helping Hands new premises are based at Cross Grasmere Street Sheltered Housing Community Centre, Cross Grasmere Street. They moved from Strawberry Lane Community Centre, which closed last year due to council cuts.
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