Category Archives: Health & Wellbeing

Emergency Alert Test – this Sunday at 3pm

by

On Sunday April 23rd at 3pm there will be a test of the new UK emergency alerts system.

Emergency Alerts is a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby.

In an emergency, your smartphone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.

The government does not need to know your phone number or location to send you an alert.

The alert on Sunday is just a test and so you do not need to do anything, in a real emergency you should follow the instructions that come with the alert.

It will only go to smartphones or tablets that work on 4g or 5g networks, so if you have an older phone it may not receive it.

When the test happens your device is likely to make a loud siren like sound, even if it’s set on silent and maybe vibrate. The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds.

If, for any reason, you do not want to receive the test alert please make sure your phone is switched off at 3pm on Sunday – you will not get the alert when it is switched back on.

The message that you will get (in England) is:

This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.

In an actual emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.

Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information.

This is a test. You do not need to take any action.

You WON’T be asked for your phone number, location or other details – beware scammers trying to take advantage

The alerts are sent by mobile phone masts, which can broadcast them to compatible devices in the surrounding area during an emergency.

This means the Government does NOT need your phone number, location or any other personal details to send you an emergency alert, and you DON’T need to download an app or sign up to receive them.

Scammers often exploit Government initiatives and other news items as a way to target people so be wary of suspicious texts, emails or other messages asking you to hand over your details.

Plans for changes in street design of A660 Otley Road, Headingley Lane and Woodhouse Lane

by

Leeds City Council are planning major changes to the A660 as it comes through Headingley and Woodhouse.

If you want to look at these plans and give your thoughts there is a public consultation until Saturday 5th March

You can see the plans and have your say online by  visiting this link or there are a number of drop in events around the area (note first one is today)

  • Thursday 16 February 2023, 3-7pm, St Chad’s Parish Centre, Otley Road, LS16 5JT. 
  • Tuesday 21 February 2023, 3-7pm, HEART Centre, Bennett Road, LS6 3HN. 
  • Saturday 25 February 2023, 1.30-4.30pm, St Augustine’s Wrangthorn Church, Hyde Park Terrace, LS6 1BJ. 
  • Tuesday 28 February 2023, 10am-3:30pm, Room 6, Leeds University Union, Lifton Place, LS2 9JZ. 

The aim of the plans are to address a high number of casualties along this route whilst providing safer, alternative travel options for Headingley and Hyde Park’s residents. 

From LCC News : “Connecting Leeds, Leeds City Council’s Highways and Transport team, is asking for people’s thoughts on proposed improvements to the A660. The £10.4million plans, funded by Active Travel England, focus on the A-road from Shaw Lane junction (home to restaurants Salvo’s and Heaney & Mill) up to St Mark’s Road in Woodhouse (near to the University of Leeds’ Parkinson Building). 

The A660 is a main road into and out of the city centre for motorised vehicles and people who walk, wheel or cycle, as well as a popular route for students living in the area accessing university and college campuses. It is one of the busiest cycle routes in Leeds with over 1,000 cyclists using it daily, however, it suffers from a high casualty rate with 172 casualties happening along this road during 2016-2021. 

The proposed highways treatments to A660 Otley Road, Headingley Lane and Woodhouse Lane follow on from works that are currently being delivered to A660 Otley Road from Lawnswood roundabout to Shaw Lane junction.  This was previously consulted on in March 2022 and is also funded by Active Travel England. 

The current consultation focuses on: 

  • A reduction of speed from 30mph to 20mph along the A660 Otley Road between Shaw Lane and St Michael’s Road. 
  • Safety improvements where the A660 meets North Lane, Victoria Road, Hyde Park Road (Hyde Park Corner), Clarendon Road and St Mark’s Road junctions. 
  • Continuous crossings along the A660 with other junctions, to give pedestrians and cyclists priority. 
  • A diagonal crossing facility at North Lane junction, Leeds’ second diagonal crossing. 
  • 2-metre wide segregated cycle lanes both inbound and outbound along most of the route. 
  • Widened footways along the route 
  • Improved bus stops and shelters, including relocating some stops 
  • Merging infrequently used bus shelters. 
  • Closure of St Michael’s Road and Regent Park Avenue to motorised vehicles to prevent rat-running. 
  • Improved landscaping and spaces along the route, including a more pleasant environment around the War Memorial on St Michael’s Road.”

Information from Leeds City Council

by

Cost of Living Support and Advice January 2023

Dear resident

As we enter the new year, we know that the increase in cost of living continues to touch many people, and some may only be starting to feel the impact. 

We will continue to do all we can to support anyone affected. As well as our regular email updates, please remember you can visit our Cost of Living website for support and advice on housing, food, fuel and health, as well as details of events taking place across Leeds to support local residents.

Leeds City Council 

A graphic promoting the energy discount for people on pre-payment meters

Energy discount vouchers for pre-payment meters

If you use energy pre-payment meters, you should be receiving energy bill discount vouchers from the first week of the month, through either text, email or the post (using your registered contact details). 

You will need to redeem these at your usual top-up point, such as your nearest PayPoint or Post Office branch.

For more information on receiving the discount, visit the Energy Saving Trust website

A graphic promoting the 'warm spaces' in Leeds

Warm Spaces

Warm Spaces across Leeds offer a welcoming and safe warm place for anyone to use for free, particularly if you’re struggling with the cost of heating your home during cold weather. Opening hours have now returned to normal after the festive period. 

To find your nearest Warm Spaces visit www.leeds.gov.uk/warmspaces

A reminder that community hubs and libraries offer warm spaces and a warm welcome. You can also access additional services including help with job applications, claiming benefits you could be eligible for and money saving tips and budgeting. You can find your local community hub here. 

Free, confidential advice is also available from the Money Information Centres. 

‘Get jabbed’ plea from top doctor 

A leading doctor in West Yorkshire is calling on people who haven’t yet had their flu and COVID vaccinations to come forward as soon as possible. You can read more here

An image promoting the help available with childcare costs

Help with childcare costs

Over a million families in the UK are entitled to support with the cost of childcare from the government. Find out whether you’re eligible for tax-free childcare or 30 hours per week of free childcare at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Could you be a foster carer? 

If you’re considering fostering, joining Foster4Leeds means you can help the council keep Leeds children in their local area, and you’ll receive a huge amount of support from our amazing fostering service and other local foster families.

For more information visit www.leeds.gov.uk/foster4leeds or to speak to a member of the Foster4Leeds team, call 0113 378 3538. 

Free and low cost activities in Leeds

With the cost of living going up, many people are searching for fun things to do that won’t break the bank. For some inspiration, take a look here: Free and low-cost activities for people in Leeds

Leeds 2023 is a year-long celebration of culture. It kicked off earlier this month with The Awakening at Headingley Stadium, featuring music, poetry, dance, comedy and more. You can find out more about Leeds 2023 here.

An image of Rob Burrow and his wife Lindsey

And finally… Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield are made freemen of Leeds

This week Leeds added a new chapter to a remarkable story of courage and comradeship as the city awarded its highest civic honour to Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield.

Rugby league legends Rob and Kevin have both been given the freedom of Leeds in recognition of their heroic campaigning and fundraising for all those affected by motor neurone disease (MND).

You can read more here.

Warm Wednesdays – Soup and a roll

by

Our first soup and a roll get-together was very well attended last week and everyone enjoyed the homemade carrot and coriander soup.

There’s another one today and every Wednesday until the end of March. At the Caring Together premises, 127 Woodhouse Street. Drop in any time between 11am and 2pm (soup usually served from around 12 noon) – or come and join us for the full 3 hours if you wish.

Warm soup, warm building and a warm welcome for all!

We won’t tell you what today’s soup is, you will have to come along to find out, but we are sure it will be delicious.

Changes to Christmas Bin Collections in Leeds

by

From Sunday 18th December

Christmas Bin Information 2022

All Leeds households will have their bins collected a DAY EARLIER the week before Christmas.

If you are due a collection on Boxing Day Monday, that collection will be made on Christmas Eve (Saturday) instead. 

After Boxing Day your bin will be collected on your normal, scheduled days. 

Don’t get caught out this year, check the schedule below:

2022 Christmas bin collections dates

Carers Rights Day 2022

by

There are 74,000 unpaid carers in Leeds. If you look after a partner, relative or friend who is disabled or ill due to physical or mental health, you are a carer, even if you don’t think of yourself as one.

Caring Costs unpaid carers in many ways, from carers’ wellbeing and ability to access health services, to costs to their finances and employment options, to the current cost of living crisis which is being felt even more acutely by carers throughout the UK. 

Find out about the emotional, practical and financial support available to you. https://www.carersleeds.org.uk/

Caring Together Winter 2022 Newsletter

by

Our latest newsletter is here along with some inserts, lots of information and upcoming activities, events and outings

You can also see previous newsletters here

Issue-98-Winter-2022

Useful-numbers-2022

Winter-Wellbeing

Brittania-Tong-invite

Festive-Get-Together..2022

Winter-Warming-Soup-and-Roll-2023

World Mental Health Day

by

Today – 10/10 is World Mental Health Day and we are sharing with you ‘Take10’ from Mindwell Leeds for some calm, mindful time which might might help. Here are 10 activities you can do for 10 minutes or 10 seconds.

MindWell Take 10 for World Mental Health Day resource, with text and images, encouraging us all to take 10 seconds for ourselves with a choice of 10 different wellbeing activities. Find a plain text version from the link in our message.

And also some information about where to access mental health support or find resources to help you better understand your mental well being

Image

Free Wills Month

by

October is Free Wills Month and a number of solicitors in Leeds are taking part this year. This is a partnership between the solicitors and a group of well known charities and means that anyone over 55 can have a simple will, including joint wills, made or updated free of charge.

The charities hope that you will make a donation or leave a gift in your will but you are not obliged to.

Go to https://freewillsmonth.org.uk/ to see which charities are involved and to find a participating solicitor and details of how to book an appointment for your free will,

Free course for over 60s from Leeds Mindfulness Cooperative

by

Mindfulness for Health 8 week course – online or in person in East Leeds
Let’s recover together
Aimed at people living in Leeds:
who are over 60 and living with pain, fatigue, long covid or other health difficulties,
or who are over 60 and facing isolation or are bereaved after the pandemic.


You can choose to be online or in person at Space2 in Gipton, Leeds.


Taster session on Monday 3rd October 10.30 am – 12.00
The 8 week course starts Monday 10th October 10.30 am – 1 pm (breaks are built into the morning)


Booking is essential.
Phone Jelena at Space 2 on 0113 320 0159 or mobile 07519 042683 for more info or to book your place.


8 week course teaches the skills to help you support your physical and mental health. Each week introduces key ideas and practices which help us to live well and thrive in the face of health challenges such as chronic pain, fatigue, chronic illness and stress.
What will I learn?
mindfulness and self compassion skills in daily life, how mindfulness can help manage pain, stress and chronic health conditions, to live in the present moment and breathe into your experience, rather than tensing against it, the art of taking joy in simple everyday pleasures, greater concentration and focus, transformative body and breath awareness for relaxation, tranquility and to let go of tension

What is involved?
8 weeks of 2.5 hour sessions with breaks, a mixture of practicing mindfulness, learning ideas and discussion, being in a warm and friendly group where you can choose what to share, led by an experienced accredited mindfulness teacher, resources to practice at home, free membership of an online community of practice to continue after the course.
Information about this and other courses at https://mindfulnesscoop.co.uk/

Leeds Mindfulness Cooperative