Our stories, our places celebrates the stories of people in our communities who are working together to make our local places even better. Continue reading “Welcome”
Caroline’s story – Fixing things makes us happy
My ambition to start Holmfirth Repair Cafe was from a desire to stop items from ending up in landfill and to encourage others to have a go at repairs. Continue reading “Caroline’s story – Fixing things makes us happy”
Jemima’s story – Growing confidence with your community
On my summer break from university, I got an assistant team leader role working for the National Citizen Service, to provide young people with new experiences and for them to gain confidence within themselves. Continue reading “Jemima’s story – Growing confidence with your community”
How we’re measuring what matters
We’re working with local people and organisations to measure our progress towards our Shaped by People shared goal.
Melissa’s story: Growing friendships in Caulms Wood
Like many people during the pandemic lockdown, I started going on walks near where I lived. To breathe in the air, from being couped up inside all that time, was really important. Caulms Wood was just there.
Continue reading “Melissa’s story: Growing friendships in Caulms Wood”
Richard’s story: Seeing something that sparks your interest
I originally began visiting the orchard at Paddock because it felt good to be outside during the first Covid lockdown in Spring 2020. The apple trees were quite overgrown so I began clearing brambles and enjoyed being among nature and listening to the birds. Continue reading “Richard’s story: Seeing something that sparks your interest”
Alison’s story: Are you having a carnival?
It started with a conversation in the pub. A few of us were sat in the pub out of the football season, chatting about how we could resurrect Berry Brow Carnival. Continue reading “Alison’s story: Are you having a carnival?”
Liz’s story: Finding Linthwaite’s local identity
The Linthwaite Leadboilers Festival is about bringing residents of Linthwaite and the Colne Valley together, to celebrate “all things Linthwaite”. Continue reading “Liz’s story: Finding Linthwaite’s local identity”
Hafeezah’s story: Faith, traditions and skills – How community groups can celebrate and weave people together
I joined the More In Common Batley and Spen volunteer group for the Batley Iftar event in 2019 after attending my first communal Iftar the previous year Continue reading “Hafeezah’s story: Faith, traditions and skills – How community groups can celebrate and weave people together”
Patrycja’s story: Fewer neighbours, more friends
I moved to the area from a different cultural background and one of the things I noticed was that people weren’t really talking to each other – even on the same street – often they did not even know the name of their next door neighbour. When the pandemic struck, that changed. Continue reading “Patrycja’s story: Fewer neighbours, more friends”
Ray’s story: I get a buzz out of seeing people smile
“I really believe if you’re doing volunteer work, then the work itself should be the reward not the recognition. It is that feeling of, “I’m really glad I did that” which is the important thing. There’s just something about it, such a nice feeling.”
Continue reading “Ray’s story: I get a buzz out of seeing people smile”
Maya’s story: It brought us all together
“I thought it was common to help others…”
Duncan’s story: Growing a sense of community from an empty field
I’ve been a volunteer with Colne Valley Tree Society for 15 years. After work, getting outside in the fresh air is relaxing and helps with positive mental health. Continue reading “Duncan’s story: Growing a sense of community from an empty field”
Lorna’s story: Creating space for people and nature
Chatting with a small group of neighbours, we discussed how to get to know more people locally. We also wanted to keep Jo Cox’s legacy alive so decided to do a Great Get Together event back in 2017. We met outdoors with food, drink, music, games and children’s activities. Continue reading “Lorna’s story: Creating space for people and nature”
Kerry’s story: Sharing a sense of pride
I moved to Cleckheaton in 1999 and didn’t really take part in community life as I worked long hours outside of Kirklees. In 2018 I started volunteering for the Royal Voluntary Service and suddenly realised that I was a part of the community and what we have here is amazing. Continue reading “Kerry’s story: Sharing a sense of pride”
Victoria’s story: Moonraking in Sla-wit!
“Many people have risen to the surface and found that joy and pride that comes from giving as well as receiving.”
Simon’s story: Anyone can step up
I’m proud of a place where I don’t live.
In the past Heckmondwike Christmas lights were ‘done’ to the community. People would come to watch and then go home. Continue reading “Simon’s story: Anyone can step up”
Tom’s story: Bringing the Mechanics back to life
It fills me with pride and at times tears of joy to see how Marsden Mechanics has become such an integral part of our community, knowing that I’ve played a role in helping it get to where it is today. Continue reading “Tom’s story: Bringing the Mechanics back to life”
Ann’s story: There’s something very powerful about singing together
In 2016 I took voluntary redundancy from working full time for Kirklees Libraries. I wanted something to do and I’d heard about the Lindley choir as far back as 2013. With work and other commitments, I’d never had the time, but it was something I thought I’d like to try. Now I could. Continue reading “Ann’s story: There’s something very powerful about singing together”
Louisa’s story: Finding out what local people want
The sudden closure of the Children’s Centre left people without a community hub that they had previously relied on. Confusion and disappointment were left behind. The local councillors engaged me in helping groups and individuals to work out what should happen next. Continue reading “Louisa’s story: Finding out what local people want”
Phil’s story: Getting to know people
We moved to a fairly new estate in Meltham 16 years ago. Lots of the people living there hadn’t been there long, so other than saying “hello” as you do in the street or over the garden fence, we didn’t really know each other. Continue reading “Phil’s story: Getting to know people”
Vicky’s story: Little circles of kindness
If I told you that receiving a jar of flowers with her shopping inspired a lady to get out her brushes and begin painting again, I think you’d be hard pressed to believe it. But that happened. A small act of kindness for someone who was feeling alone and unmotivated during the pandemic, was a reminder that she’s not forgotten and that somebody out here cares.
Continue reading “Vicky’s story: Little circles of kindness”
Martin’s story: I’m keen to get involved in something
I finished work at Syngenta in Huddersfield in late 2019 after quite a number of years. I took some time to get work out of my system and consider what I could do with my time. Continue reading “Martin’s story: I’m keen to get involved in something”
Isaac’s story: Recipes for humanity
During the first lockdown, I joined a community Facebook page and I (like others) sent recipes in so that everyone could try something new. Mine was for Seaside doughnuts. Continue reading “Isaac’s story: Recipes for humanity”
Jeremy’s story: Volunteering and fundraising with the Milnsbridge Enhancement Group
Twenty-five years ago, a few of us formed the Milnsbridge Enhancement Group [MEG] to improve our village, Milnsbridge – once the heart of the thriving woollen industry but in decline at the end of the 20th Century. Continue reading “Jeremy’s story: Volunteering and fundraising with the Milnsbridge Enhancement Group”
Ellie’s story: I’m not proud of myself, I’m proud of other people
I’m really proud of the people around me. Continue reading “Ellie’s story: I’m not proud of myself, I’m proud of other people”
Lone’s story: It takes a village to make things work
I only moved to Shepley a couple of years ago. I haven’t had much opportunity to participate in local activity, partly due to working full time, and partly due to the Covid restrictions. But the Village Association really fires up the social life of the village. Continue reading “Lone’s story: It takes a village to make things work”
Jane’s story: Talent, skill and goodwill
When I found out that Kirklees Museums were looking for objects that could tell a story about the Covid-19 outbreak locally, I nominated our local helpline leaflet, a ziploc bag, pair of rubber gloves and a small bottle of hand gel. These items in some small way symbolise the story of our Golcar Mutual Aid Group. Continue reading “Jane’s story: Talent, skill and goodwill”
Aya’s story: Helping our neighbour
“I felt honoured that he trusted me. “
Sharron’s story: We’ve all got something to give
Early in lockdown the charity where I worked were contacted by a care home, who were looking for ways to alleviate some of the isolation and loneliness faced by many of their residents who were unable to meet their friends and family. Together with the care home, we came up with the idea of letter writing and shortly afterwards Give…a few words was born.
Continue reading “Sharron’s story: We’ve all got something to give”
