I got involved with and volunteer at Andy’s Man Club because not enough is done for mental health and Andy’s Man Club deserves recognition. They’re a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups. For me personally, Andy’s Man Club basically saved my life. Continue reading “Lee’s story – getting my confidence back at Andy’s Man Club”
I retired nearly 17 years ago and having never volunteered during my working life wanted to give something back, plus give myself an interest. I ended up as a trustee and secretary for the Friends of Beaumont Park. Continue reading “Ed’s story – Life as a Trustee of Natural Kirklees”
“We’ve been out together, various groups of us, doing some litter picking, some habitat management, bashing brambles and putting up bits of fencing… It’s been very good, because we’ve felt we’re doing something good for the area.” Continue reading “Sally’s story – I’d rather get out there and do things”
“For many years walking around the Pit Hill and enjoying walks here, I felt it could be improved much more for nature and the local community. So I started inviting my neighbours and local people to come and collect litter… Continue reading “Viv’s story – Improving our area for people and nature”
I started the Together in Batley newspaper with a group of friends because I’d become disappointed about how Batley is reported on locally and nationally, because bad news drags people down. I wanted to get some good news out and to inform and represent those of us who feel isolated and feel that we have no voice. Continue reading “Celia’s story – An ambition to create good news”
I have been volunteering at the Unity Shop for two months and it gives me a great feeling of satisfaction. To be working alongside other creative people is a real lift Continue reading “Elizabeth’s story – The great satisfaction of volunteering”
I want to tell you about the Hive Community Café at 46, John William Street in Huddersfield.
My story actually begins a few decades ago with me questioning my gender and sexuality. Over time it became increasingly difficult to cope with my internal conflict until in September 2020, I came out to my family as a transgender woman. Continue reading “Philippa’s story – My personal journey to helping others in the LGBTQ+ community”
I wanted to make a difference in my community. I was seeing so many people isolated, with lots of mental health issues, lots of anti-social behaviour and people who needed somewhere to get out, to meet others and have a safe space to go to.
Continue reading “Laura’s story – Finding purpose through volunteering”
I suffered with a range of mental health difficulties for a number of years and really needed some motivation, to get out of my house that I had been hiding away in for so long. My local community centre became that place Continue reading “Sarah’s story – My local community centre became my motivation”
My main motivation for getting involved is to have pride in where I live. This was my inspiration to bring like-minded people together to carry out improvements around all the villages around Holmfirth, in a variety of ways. Continue reading “Win’s story – Growing pride in Holmfirth”
Soooo….
Empower C.I.C. all started with me feeling a calling to help prevent the youngers and my peers from pursuing a path down the wrong lane. To do that I had to try to lead by example, Continue reading “Tashan’s story: We’re like the bigger brothers we never had”
I was at a community anchor meeting and people were saying, “what do you think we should do, now we’re coming out of Covid?”. And I said, what I’d like is a field and a load of people from the local community, and I’d like to have an allotment where we could just grow and share food in the community. Continue reading “Chrissie’s story – How I got hooked on an idea for an allotment”
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”
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 as a young leader”
We’re working with local people and organisations to measure our progress towards our Shaped by People shared goal.
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”
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”
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?”
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”
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”
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”
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”
“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”
“I thought it was common to help others…”
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”
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”
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”
“Many people have risen to the surface and found that joy and pride that comes from giving as well as receiving.”
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”
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”
