Jamyang Buddhist Centre in Holbeck has been spruced up thanks to the help of a group of Amazon employees.
The ground floor of the centre, which serves the whole community, has been redecorated over three days by teams of ten volunteers. Their leader KG explained:
“At Amazon we have an Asian Community and every month we try to do some voluntary work to help a charity organisation. We make contact and ask if they need any help. We are not professional painters but we are trying our best. We feel we are helping society and we are very happy (to do it).”
Centre Manager Sarah Metcalfe said:
“It’s just been phenomenal, to have that opportunity and to have Amazon approach us … that never happens. We would have been painting that room all year, so to have this, it’s a real blessing for us.”
The ground floor at Jamyang comprises a reception area, the Happy Yak café and charity shop, the main hall and a number of offices and therapy rooms that can be rented by the day, week or month. The café offers vegetarian and vegan food, Tuesday-Friday 10am-2pm.
In the shop, as well as Buddhist materials, you’ll find all sorts of second hand bargains and handicrafts. As well as activities and private bookings, the hall hosts their popular jumble sales, where everything sells for just £1.
Another way Jamyang aims to serve the local community is by offering mindful activities to provide a bit of respite from the world around us. Starting this month they are running a weekly session on Sunday mornings called 16 Guidelines For Life. Sarah explains:
“Each week we will look at a topic such as patience, or anger. We invite you to sit down, have a little guided meditation, have a little chat about it. It’s for everyone. Everyone works hard, it’s a bit stressful at the moment and we thought how can we help? Take an hour out to recharge, refresh and start your week.”
The sessions are led by a facilitator and run for an hour from 10:30am, and you’re welcome to stay and chat over a cup of tea afterwards. The sessions are free but they ask for a donation if you can afford it. Sessions also run online on Wednesdays from 7-8pm.
For more information about Jamyang Buddhist Centre go to: jamyangleeds.co.uk or follow them on Facebook.
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