Leeds – join us in the Big Thank You

Winter can be a really difficult time of year for people at the best of times and Storms Ciara and Dennis have made the past week especially difficult and we’re still not in the clear yet. On top of that, it’s one of the busiest times of the year for our public services.

What can we do to spread a little sunshine and boost morale? We’ve teamed up with our NHS colleagues, Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Police (Leeds District), British Transport Police and community and voluntary organisations to launch the Big Thank You campaign.

We want to recognise those unsung winter heroes whose hard work and dedication keeps us safe and well and the city running. We want to show our appreciation for anyone who goes above and beyond to help people during winter, as well as those whose little acts of kindness which make a big impact at difficult times. So how can I say thank you?

The Royal British Legion Admiral Nurse Service – Leeds

Nicky Addison and other Leeds Admiral nurses

Living with dementia can be a struggle and have a physical, psychological, practical and emotional impact on both the person diagnosed and their families. It is therefore essential that everyone has the support and advice needed to live as well as they possibly can, when faced with the challenges that dementia can bring.

In Leeds, The Royal British Legion have worked in partnership with Dementia UK to develop an Admiral Nurse Service.   Nicky Addison, Regional Lead Admiral Nurse – Leeds tells us more about their amazing work .

Could you be a Leeds Winter Friend?

This week the Winter Friends campaign was launched as part of the 2020 Stay Well this Winter conference. One of the aims is to encourage 100 people to sign up as Winter Friends and support the people in their local community. You may already be acting as one without realising it. So what makes a Winter Friend?

Safe and well in Leeds with the West Yorkshire Fire Service

Did you know the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) has a Safe and Well programme so older people not only have a fire safety visit but are also given help and support for social isolation if needed as well? No? then read on. Jessica Duffy Learning Facilitator – Time to Shine and Leeds Older People’s Forum can tell us more.

Leeds Local Care Partnerships and the Third Sector

Pip Goff, Third Sector and Community Local Care Partnerships (LCP) Development Manager, recently met with Karen Woloszczak, the Manager at Action for Gipton Elderly and Sean Tunnicliffe Communications Officer, Leeds Older People’s Forum, to talk about Local Care Partnership. Sean also wrote this blog about the meeting to share more information about Local Partnerships – what they are and what they do

Leeds – let’s be there for one another

“Neighbours
Should be there for one another
That’s when good neighbours become good friends”

“Ok the above is taken from the theme song for the long-running Australian soap, Neighbours, but it captures the essence of the ‘Looking out for our neighbours’ campaign” says Shak Rafiq, Communications Manager, NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group
Neighbours, “and we’re encouraging people across West Yorkshire and Harrogate to reach out to someone nearby as small gestures could make a huge difference.”

Winter is coming to Leeds…

Today Leeds City Council has published plans to fight the climate emergency and work towards becoming a carbon-neutral city.  Dr. Paola Sakai, UKRI Research and Innovation Fellow, University of Leeds, talks about what it means for Leeds and if there is anything we can do to help.

“Winter is here: the days are chilly and nights are longer. We wrap up and try to stay cosy. Time to get the scarves and gloves out, and warm up with the thoughts of Christmas. Bring out your brolly too, as it might rain. Actually, it has been raining quite a lot lately, now that I think of it…