Improving My Physical & Mental Wellbeing
Current opportunities available with Groundwork
Holiday Activities
Healthy Holidays offers free, engaging, and enriching activities along with a hot, nutritious meal for children and young people during the school holidays.
The activities vary and may include sports, outdoor pursuits, cooking, dance, arts and crafts, as well as trips to attractions like Temple Newsam and Lotherton Hall and the Yorkshire Dales.
This programme is available for primary and secondary school-aged children and young people who receive free school meals.
Leeds Allotments
For over a decade, we have been working at the Lady Pit Lane Allotments in Beeston with various groups, including individuals with learning difficulties, those needing mental health support, and job seekers.
Participants can look forward to growing and eating fruit and vegetables from seeds, weeding, propagating new plants from cuttings, building wooden herb boxes, creating scarecrows, and repurposing plastic bottles into a greenhouse—all while enjoying cups of tea, of course! All the food grown is shared among the group or donated to local food projects.
If you are interested in joining our sessions, they are held every Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Video from Leeds Allotments
Children’s Mental Health Week
During #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek Jo, our Community Health & Wellbeing Programme Manager, shares her experience as a mum of four and having childminded for 11 years:
“Lots of us might find it difficult to know how to start conversations with children around mental health. It’s a minefield of emotions which can be confronting for parents and carers.
Asking your child how their head and heart are feeling is a good way to start. Giving children an outlet to express how they feel and know they are loved regardless is essential in helping them feel supported. Positive connections with family, friends and trusted adults such as teachers and child carers are essential to helping children know there are plenty of places they can go if they need or want to talk to someone.
Disconnecting from the digital world and connecting with the natural one around us is another vital experience children need to help understand the world around them. At Groundwork Yorkshire we run a range of projects allowing children to do just that. Helping children explore the awe and wonder of the outdoors is such a gift and one we don’t take for granted.”
Welcome Space / Community Pantry
Last winter over 160 voluntary, community, and faith-based organisations, along with Leeds City Council Hubs and Library buildings, all opened their doors to support individuals during the colder months.
Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, customer service, and community safety, stated, “These Welcome Spaces have proven to be a valuable initiative for Leeds. They not only provide a warm place for people to go, but they also foster a sense of community.”
What began as a simple warm space for those affected by the cost-of-living crisis and struggling to heat their homes has quickly evolved into an essential part of the community. Welcome Spaces reported that loneliness was a common reason for visits, and many of these spaces also offered activities during their open hours.
As the colder weather arrives, Groundwork will once again open its doors to welcome individuals in need of warmth, social interaction, and hot food and drinks. The staff and volunteers at the Welcome Spaces will be available to assist visitors in finding information and support to help ease some of the hardships experienced during winter months. Additionally, users will have access to an onsite pantry, which provides six essential cupboard items for just £1.50.
You can read the full report here
MenoPause For Thought
MenoPause For Thought is a programme we started in 2023 aiming to bring people together who have an interest in menopause, are suffering from the menopause, have a friend, partner or family member that is affected by it.
The support we offer:
- A chance to meet other people in similar situations
- Signposts to relevant websites, information and experts in menopause
- Is tailored to meet the needs of the group or individual
- Respectful, accessible and confidential
- Open for all, regardless of gender or age
Our menopause mentor can create bespoke packages for your organisation or your groups. In the last year we have supported Kim Leadbeater International Women’s Day, Shipley College, Better Leeds Communities and Leeds Care and Partnership Team. For further information: