Many VCSE organisations have been working across the region for many years and whilst most offer a range of support at community level there is a significant smaller number which offers highly specialist input as part of a wider multiagency package. These organisations work alongside specialist services within our health and social care partners to provide support at home or the community.
This page features examples from across West Yorkshire.
Enjoy exploring and be inspired!
To get involved on social media, follow and use the #VCSEpower hashtag on Twitter during the week.
Bradford District and Craven
Stroke and Artworks Creative Communities
Creative Routes to Recovery:
The Creative Stroke Recovery Group
The Creative Stroke Recovery Group has been meeting in Bradford since 2012 and really is proof of two very important things. Firstly, that anyone can be affected by a stroke. Yes anyone. Our group is a mixed bunch of stroke survivors, across a wide age range, united in this one shared experience. Secondly, that creativity can help in recovery as it has done for all of us.
We wanted to share our experience (and wisdom!) in an attractive and accessible way so that others would be encouraged and perhaps more stroke survivors and service providers would have confidence in using creativity as part of the recovery process. Of course it does not stop there and we hope to give some insight into the other benefits of getting together, the sorts of things we get up to and how we organise ourselves.
Race Equality Network
Showcase event held December 2022:
Calderdale
St Augustine’s Centre Halifax
Kirklees
TSL Kirklees Wellbeing Experiences
Funded wellbeing activities from local community organisations for Covid key workers, including health and social care, local authority and VCSE:
TSL Kirklees wellbeing experiences web page: https://
Evaluation report: TSL Kirklees Wellbeing Experiences.docx (Word document download)
An Introduction to Words in Mind Project (past project) – supporting people with mental health problems and dementia through therapeutic reading groups:
Batley Foodbank
Wendy Russell - Trustee & Treasurer, Batley Foodbank – overview as part of Feeding Kirklees initiative:
Leeds
Barca-Leeds
5 Our long track record and specialist skill set
Our RECLAIM service has delivered one to one counselling to adults who have experienced childhood trauma that is continuing to impact their mental health. Working in close partnership with GP’s who refer their patients who are most in need of the service. It also provides facilitated groups for adults.
Family Drug and Alcohol Court service – this works with families with substance use issues who are going through court proceedings, and has a high success rate in re-unifying families and preventing young people going into care, national research shows very high cashable savings as a key outcome.
Reclaim counselling service
Touchstone Support
Sikh Elders Service Covid Vaccine:
The ALaDDIN group
The Autism & Learning Disability Digital Inclusion Network (‘ALaDDIN’) has been formed through the coming together of 20 third-sector organisations in the city to improve digital inclusion and participation for people with autism or learning disabilities, supporting the ambition to make Leeds the most digitally inclusive city for everyone.
Leeds for All
In celebration of the International Day of Disabled People, Forum Central and the Leeds for All working group presented a week-long programme of from Monday 29 November 2021. The theme for the week was – "Recovery from Covid-19”.
The calendar of events included accessible and inclusive performances, stories, exhibitions, discussions. All events were free to attend and open to everyone. The week closed with an online celebration event on Friday 3 December.
Leeds Mind
Mindful Employer
Watch this video to learn more about Mindful Employer in Leeds. Hear from some of our network members as they talk about the benefits of being involved:
Workplace Leeds
WorkPlace Leeds provides specialist mental health Employment Support and Job Retention services throughout Leeds. Employment is an important part of mental health recovery and we support the aim that people are able to find employment when they want, maintain a family and social life whilst contributing to their community, and avoid loneliness and isolation. The services are provided through a combination of one-to-one sessions and group work.
Men’s Health Unlocked
Men’s Health Unlocked is part of a steering group for the national men’s health strategy.
LInked to this work, Leeds is held up as a leading proponent of gendered approaches to health inequalities (see Women’s Lives Leeds, State of Men’s / Women’s Health Report)
Visit the resources website at https://
Ascendance
Wakefield
Nova Wakefield District
Visit the Nova Wakefield District website at www.nova-wd.org.uk
Training programme infographic (pdf)
Third sector services infographic (pdf)
Age UK Wakefield District
Visit the Age UK Wakefield District website at www.ageuk.org.uk/wakefielddistrict
Case study: home support (pdf)
Case study: hospital transfer support service (pdf)
Wakefield Covid-19 Testing Service
(Conexus Healthcare, Nova, Live Well Wakefield, Eastmoor Community Project, Havercroft & Ryhill Community Centre, Lightwaves Community Centre, St Mary’s Community Centre, Novus Health, Wakefield Council, NHS)