Agenda item

The report introduces the review of 2023/24. A number of projects funded by the Inner North West Community Committee from across the 3 wards of the Inner North West have been invited to discuss their projects, the impact of the Inner North West Community Committee funding and plans for 2024/25.

The report introduced the review of the 2023/24 funded projects.

Representatives from five of the funded projects had been invited to the Committee to discuss their projects and the impact they are having on the community.

Music House

Music House is located in an old building close to Notre Dame Sixth Form College and opposite the University. They offer a welcoming environment where young people can express themselves through music.

The project reaches out to young people, so they can explore all aspects of music from playing instruments, writing music, singing, and producing music. All types of music are encouraged at the Music House. The Music House invites young people to a ‘Jam around the table’ where food and drink is provided, and this starts conversations.

From one of the sessions a choir has evolved called Reggae Roots. Reggae Roots were invited to join the 300 strong choir who sang at the Kings Coronation on the stage in Windsor Park.

The young people who come to the project bring their talent and creativity, and Music House provides the environment for them to develop.

Members were informed that there are now four groups operating in the Inner North West area and this would not have been possible without the support of the Community Committee, Council and Housing Advisory Panel. The Music House was grateful for all the support that had been given.

Hyde Park Unity Day

The representative explained how the Community Committee had saved the one day event in 2023 after they had failed to secure expected lottery funding. A new committee of volunteers has been formed and it is proposed that future events will be smaller. The newly formed committee want to engage with the community to see what they would want for the area. To do this the plan is to advertise using social media and shop windows in the local area.

It was noted that in the past there had been noise issues after the event had finished at 8:00pm, but hopefully smaller local events would change the ethos of the day attracting more families.

Members welcomed the proposals and the work in the area and offered to assist in making contacts.

Little London Food Pantry

The Community Committee were thanked for all their support since the project had started in 2020, as part of the assistance to the community during the pandemic. This had originally been a responsive project to the pandemic for a period of 16 weeks. In April 2022 the Covid Response emergency food provision transitioned into Little London Food Pantry as a more sustainable option. Service users are required to register as members and pay a one off £1, in addition £3 per week is payable towards their shopping.

The food pantry initially operated from a room in Little London Community Centre which was not sustainable due to the multi-use nature of the building and lack of secure storage. This was followed by a period using the old LCC Housing Team reception area which ended following the purchase of a converted shipping container supported by the Inner North West Community Committee. This is sited on the carpark adjacent to the community centre which has been transformed into a small retail shop, which has a ramp to enable access for all. The shop has meant they have been able to change the range of foods they can provide, so able to cater for all communities.

Since June 2023, they have been offering a savings service, whereby, people can pay in £1 a week for a ‘rainy day’ This is through the help of Leeds Credit Union.

Little London Food Pantry is going well and helping to improve the quality of life in the community. Recently, the Food Pantry had opened a café on a Friday between 12pm and 2pm. They offered a warm space for people to come and socialise and a meal of soup and bread. The café also had board games, and this had proved a popular addition for people to engage and interact.

When the project had started in April 2020 there had been 24 people attending, climbing to 337 in June 2023 and now in March 2024, there are 500 people attending on a regular basis.

It was noted that the Rainbow Junktion Café had a foodshare scheme on Friday’s. It had been noticed that a large number of oversea students had been attending and concern for them had been addressed with the University. Members were grateful for the concern shown and the approach taken.

St Paul’s Kitchen

St Paul’s have been opening for a community meal every Monday since 2022, to assist the community with the cost of living crisis. Originally this project had started just for the winter months, but it has been agreed that this should continue throughout the year especially with attendance numbers growing.

They get about 40 people attending each week and it is run by volunteers. As well as a meal people get the chance to interact and socialise through activities such as sport or crafting and there are activities for children to join.

The Community Committee assisted with a grant to refurbish the kitchens as there was no ovens, and they were using portable hobs. Members were informed that some of those who come for a meal, volunteer to wash up and help out. 

The project has moved into a larger space to cope with the growing numbers now attending, those attending are of different ages and attend for a variety of reasons such as food poverty and social inclusion. It was noted that one volunteer had said, it had helped to give her confidence.

Headingley Lit Fest

The Headingley Lit Fest had started in 2008 and is run by volunteers. They hold public events and invite local playwriters, poets, singers and authors to talk to children in local schools. They help them write their own poetry, stories etc. Once the children have written their pieces of work, they then perform them to the school, and their parents. The scheme has found that performing their own work gives the child confidence in themselves and makes them proud of their achievements.

It was noted that the current Lord Mayor, Cllr Garthwaite had made 3 visits to such performances this year.

One teacher had said that this project has helped children to have self believe and made writing come to life.

At the end of each presentation the Committee showed their gratitude with a round of applause to the project co-ordinators and for the staff and volunteers that make such projects a success.

RESOLVED – To note the content of the report and the information provided in relation to each of the projects discussed.