Leeds, let’s come together for the National Day of Reflection

We’re supporting the National Day of Reflection, happening today, and we would like to encourage others in the city to take a moment throughout the day to reflect on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected them in the past year.

Organised by Marie Curie, today’s National Day of Reflection marks the first anniversary of the UK lockdown, with Covid-safe events planned up and down the country.

There are plenty of simple ways you can get involved to mark the National Day of Reflection, helping to commemorate the tragic loss of life in the last year and stand together with everyone who is grieving.

Help is here in Leeds for staying active while staying safe

The Active Leeds YouTube channel is full of great videos to help you stay active, such as this playlist focused on exercises for older adults.

As we continue to stay at home as much as possible to help stop the spread of coronavirus in the city, it is important we stay active and keep moving. After all, maintaining good levels of physical activity not only supports our physical health but also our mental wellbeing.

Whether you’re looking to stay active while at home, find fun ways to get fit in your garden or safely exercise in your local area, Get Set Leeds has lots of useful, Covid-safe resources, gathered throughout the last twelve months.

As it continues to be rolled out in Leeds, here’s what you need to know about the coronavirus vaccine

Over the past two months, the NHS has embarked on the largest immunisation programme in its history, vaccinating millions of vulnerable people against the coronavirus.

Representing a major step forward in our fight against the virus, the vaccine is one of your most effective defences against Covid-19, potentially saving tens of thousands of lives.

With large numbers of residents being invited each week for their first dose of the vaccine, we wanted to try answer some of the main questions and concerns you may have.

For further information on the vaccination programme, always check out official and trusted sources, like the NHS and Public Health England.

Are you at risk of Type 2 diabetes?

Finding out your risk of Type 2 diabetes only takes a few minutes and could be the most important thing you do today.

Leeds, let’s be Winter Friends from afar this year and safely help those around us

Last week, we highlighted some great ways to stay healthy, well and warm this winter, such as getting your free flu jab and staying physically active.

This week, we want to look at what being a Winter Friend is all about – safely helping others to stay well and keep warm this winter!

As helpful and friendly members of their communities, Winter Friends look out for those around them, maybe by sharing a warming winter recipe or collecting essentials for a more vulnerable neighbour.

With the Covid-19 pandemic making this winter more challenging for many, we spoke to Michelle, the Winter Friends co-ordinator, about easy, effective and safe ways to support vulnerable neighbours over these colder months.

Can you support Leeds efforts to get more older people applying to the EU Settlement Scheme?

At present, those aged over-65 make up a small proportion of EU citizens in the city registering to live in the UK after 30 June 2021.

With some exemptions* and other considerations** (both detailed below), it’s important that many of the older EU, EEA*** and Swiss citizens living in Leeds know about the settlement scheme: a successful application protects the rights of participants in terms of access to healthcare, benefits and pensions.

Top tips for staying healthy and well in Leeds this winter

Ever since the Met Office declared it a ‘white Christmas’, it feels like the winter weather has really started to roll in, with the last few weeks seeing snow, ice and sub-zero chills.

With temperatures dropping and a new national lockdown keeping us at home, we wanted to share some handy tips for staying healthy and well in Leeds this winter.

Leeds comes together to support National Grief Awareness Week

2020 has been an extremely difficult year for those grieving, even more so than usual, with the restrictions in place to help keep us safe from Covid-19 making it harder than ever to reach out for support and talk about our grief.

This is why Dying Matters Leeds are proud to support National Grief Awareness Week (2-8 December 2020), which looks to try normalise grief and get people talking about this typically uncomfortable subject.

Organised annually by The Good Grief Trust, who bring together bereavement services, support organisations and helplines from across the UK under one umbrella, this year’s key messages focus on the impact of Covid-19 on those experiencing grief.

The Bunting Festival – using crafts and creativity to bring people together to reflect on their experiences of Leeds in lockdown

The Bunting Festival, a four-week long community arts event, has invited the people of Armley to create their own handmade bunting flags, designed to reflect their personal experiences of lockdown.

Once the flags are finished, they will be collected and strung together before being hung proudly over each participating street in the area, rekindling a feeling of celebration and community positivity in a time when it might have been lacking.

By bringing together everyone’s individual responses in this way, We Belong Here, the community arts organisation behind The Bunting Festival, wants to celebrate the local community of Armley.

Delivering the Leeds Digital Health Hub through lockdown

Members getting involved in some virtual crafts as a way to stay connected over lockdown

Last year, for Get Online Week, the first Digital Health Hub was launched in Leeds, offering local residents an opportunity to discover the benefits of being online and develop digital skills whilst having fun.

With this year’s lockdowns requiring many to stay at home, there has arguably never been a more important time for people to have access to digital devices and feel confident online.

Whether you are looking to access trusted information and attend virtual GP appointments or simply stay connected with friends and family, we are delighted to see a fantastic range of digital support on offer in Leeds.

We spoke to Samantha Haggart, Digital Inclusion Worker for the Cross Gates and District Good Neighbours’ Scheme CIO, about how the Leeds Digital Health Hub has tailored its offering through lockdown to support its members to continue developing their digital skills.