Category Archives: Volunteering

Volunteers

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Volunteers week comes to a close today and we are reflecting on how much our volunteers do to help Caring Together.

Just in this last week our volunteers have:

  • Packed newsletters and inserts into envelopes for distribution
  • Hand delivered newsletters to more than half our members/supporters
  • Given talks at a reminiscence group
  • Worked on our remembrance garden and our allotment
  • Counted money boxes (donations from members and supporters)
  • Made teas and coffees at groups – and helped with the clear up
  • Oversaw the management of Caring Together as Trustees
  • Kept in touch with vulnerable or isolated members

This is just a snapshot of one week, our volunteers are here to help every other week of the year too.

Thank you to each and every one of you!!

Coronation Celebration

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It was standing room only for a while at our Celebration Afternoon Tea this week!

Members enjoyed afternoon tea and we were entertained with live music thanks to students from Leeds University (LUUMIC)

As always, this was a communal effort, involving members and volunteers as well as our staff. Making decorations and setting up the space, contributing home made scones, cakes and coronation trifle, preparing food on the day as well as serving and keeping on top of the mountain of washing up, donating prizes and lots of other things to be used on the day, and turning up to support us. Everyone had a part to play.

We had several skill share sessions leading up to the event and this produced decorations for our window and tables.

Carers Rights Day 2022

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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/

1001 Stories

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Are you over 60 with a story to share?

1001 Stories is a mass-participation project that sits at the heart of Leeds’ 2023 Year of Culture.

“A collaboration between The Performance Ensemble, Leeds Playhouse, LEEDS 2023, Leeds Museums and Galleries and Leeds Older People’s Forum, the joint-project will put the voices, histories and stories of older people centre-stage by gathering 1001 stories from those aged 60 and over and creating new artistic work based on these stories.

We believe that everybody is creative and has a story to tell, this could be anything from a funny anecdote, to a milestone memory. Your story does not have to be a long one; if it is true and means something to you, then we want to hear it. 

Our aim is to present a vast range of experiences from the people of Leeds and to demonstrate that the stories of older people have cultural value – whether that is by making others laugh, think, feel or simply engage with a story that is different from their own.

Anyone over the age of 60 with a connection to Leeds is eligible to take part; whether you were born here, have previously lived or worked here, or currently call Leeds home.

If you are over 60 and have a story you would like to share – no matter how big or small, long or short, wild or everyday, we’d love to hear from you.”

You can find lots of information on The Performance Ensemble website https://theperformanceensemble.com/1001stories/ including a link to submit a story online or you can view some of the stories so far

The team want to make 1001 Stories accessible so that as many people as possible can take part. If you need further assistance in submitting your story, or would like to discuss the project with the team, you can contact them directly using the details below.

Email: 1001stories@leedsplayhouse.org.uk

Call or message: 07846 575377

Litter Free Leeds

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Leeds Goes Purple

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Friday 10th June – Sunday 12th June

Have you seen those purple bin bags dotted around your area?

If you didn’t know, they’re being filled up by local people who are doing litter picks in your area as part of Litter Free Leeds.

We all know litter is an eyesore and can be a danger to wildlife and pets. Each year 60,000 bags of litter are collected in Leeds by people ranging from individuals, families doing a quick pick as part of a day out or dog walk, to organised groups and even businesses wanting to do something to make a difference in their area.

Litter Free Leeds is organising a ‘Leeds Goes Purple’ weekend starting today and running until Sunday 12th June to celebrate the contributions being made across the city and to spread the news to anyone who wants to join in and do their bit in and around their local communities.

If you want to join in, contact your local group – Woodhouse Womblers – oracy@ymail.com to get your purple bags.

Seasonal Wishes from all at Caring Together

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Our offices will be closed over the festive season from mid day Christmas Eve until Tuesday 4th January 2022, however we will still be checking in on some members on Christmas Day and periodically throughout the week. I have also added below some useful contacts where needed.

But before we sign off to take some time to recharge for ourselves we have brought together a short video of just some of the things we have been up to in the last month together. It has been a mixture of some truly sad times peppered with some fun times along the way. It does not cover everything but we hope you enjoy it and we look forward to being back again on Tuesday 4th January 2022.

Our thoughts are with you all at this time. And we thank you all for your kindness and support throughout the Year in Caring Together. Wishing you all a peaceful and safe holidays.  

Press play and turn the volume on if you wish!

Also, please see below a copy of our useful contacts for over the holidays from our recent newsletter.

Useful-numbers-dec-21

Caring Together Festive get together in partnership with Leeds University Music Impact in the Community Choir

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What a joyous afternoon. And even though it was a bit chilly, thankfully the rain held off for us. To keep us warm we had blankets, hot chocolate, soup and some hot drinks. We were also treated to some homemade mince pies, vegan cake & mince pies and some chocolates. The beautiful sounds from the choir warmed us further. Thank you to LUUMIC Choir, our members, volunteers, the team at Caring Together, our funders, the Community, Cllr Al Garthwaite and the Lord Mayor who braved the elements to be with us. And to those who could not make it I have put some pictures up for you with a video to follow.

Headingley, Hyde Park & Woodhouse News – @HeadingleyCouncillors – LUU Music Impact in the Community – LUUMIC @luumusicimpactinthecommunity @LordMayorLeeds

Festive Skills Share at Caring Together…….

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Last week we were back and began our festive sessions, which will run for 3 weeks on Wednesday’s at 11am. We shared our finished cushions and blankets from the last skills share. Thank you to everyone who shared their skills, they look amazing. We will be distributing them out to members in the coming months. Last week we were putting up our handcrafted decorations on our tree (the tree was kindly donated by Lindsey) for our 1st Christmas in our new premises. Together we have also been making some window decorations. We will put them up this week so keep an eye out for them.


This Wednesday, 8th December at 11am we are bringing together our own mini festive wreaths and sharing some lunch together afterwards.

Please get in touch if you wish to join us. Email lisa@caringtogether.org.uk or call 07436 530073

Home made mince pies…

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Some of us met up at our offices last week. We were treated to homemade mince pies. Sadly, I don’t have a picture of them, only the crumbs as I was not quick enough. Thank you Susan they were scrumptious.If you would like to join us next time then get in touch. Lisa 07436 530073 or email lisa@caringtogether.org.uk