Did you know that South Leeds Life is published by a not-for-profit social enterprise? South Leeds Life CIC (Community Interest Company) is registered with Companies House, company number 9998695.
South Leeds Life CIC is run by a Board of Directors. They bring a variety of skills, passions and knowledge to the table
The Board meets monthly, currently online, to review the editorial output, both in print and online. They oversee the finances to ensure that South Leeds Life can keep publishing and support volunteers. Let’s meet them:
Christine Smart (Chair)
Born in Leeds, Christine lives in Cottingley Hall. She started volunteering in the area after being hit by disability in her early 20s. She is now proud to be Community Development Manager for Cottingley Community Project (Centre).
“I joined the board as I’m interested in how South Leeds is viewed. We have our fair share of issues, but the good is able to show through with this paper and it represents the true spirit we have as a community.”
Bruce Davies (Secretary)
Bruce, originally from the Wirral, has lived with his family in South Leeds since 2000. He is an artist and writer, and is the curator of BasementArtsProject, a project and exhibition space that is also the house in which he lives. Having run a number of projects over the years that have involved members of the local community in making artworks he has, since 2014, been a member of the South Leeds Life Committee.
Rocio Torres (Treasurer)
Rocio has lived in Leeds since 2001. Originally from Ecuador, she lives in Middleton with her husband and two children. She works as a finance worker at SLATE. She is a foundation governor at St Phillip’s primary school and is also involved in her local church. Rocio has looked after the South Leeds Life finances since 2014.
Kushmina Begum
“My name is Kushmina Begum and I have lived in South Leeds my whole life. I joined the paper as a writer as I am deeply passionate about storytelling and starting conversations that are affecting the residents on a everyday, grassroots level. My personal hobbies include walking for mindfulness and Iearning to cook healthy recipes. I love comedy and spending time with my nephews and nieces.”
Sally Ben
Linda Meikle
Linda has lived all her life in South Leeds and brought her three children up in the area. A retired street interviewer and system analyst, she spent most of her working life with local companies. She has a passion for South Leeds past and present and loves meeting all the interesting people in the area that you don’t usually hear about because they work behind the scenes to help make projects happen. “I joined the board because I believe in the power of the local press to bring communities together with interesting and informative articles and giving publicity and thanks to groups and people who make life that bit better for everybody” she said.
Stewart Walton
My name is Stewart Walton, I am a community leader and organiser here in LS10. I have many projects on the go. I am a school governor and a mental health group facilitator. I am very passionate and committed to making my area a better place to live and believe very firmly in giving people a voice and bringing everyone together as much as possible. I am very proud to be on the board of such an important organisation as South Leeds Life.