On Thursday (3 March 2022) Holbeck Together officially welcomed the Mobile Community Hub and Storybus to Holbeck.
By joining in partnership with Leeds City Council to bring these services to Holbeck, Holbeck Together is continuing to be a community anchor for the area and striving towards making Holbeck a great place to live, work and thrive.
In one of her last final acts before retirement, Councillor for Holbeck and Beeston Angela Gabriel did the honours and cut the ribbon to officially open the Community Hub Bus. Councillor Gabriel was joined at the opening by her colleagues Councillor Mary Harland (Executive Board member for communities at Leeds City Council), James Roger (Director of Communities, Housing and Environment) and Susan Murray (Hub Manager).
The Mobile Community Hub can deliver the same services as a building-based community hub. By placing the Mobile Hub outside St Matthews twice a week it means local residents can access advice and support without having to travel too far. Holbeck residents can speak with an advisor about council services such as council tax, housing, benefits and can also get assistance with job searches, job applications, interview skills, and CV writing. The Mobile Community Hub has computers and free WiFI too.
Leeds Library’s Storybus also hosted a special World Book Day storytelling session to mark the official opening of the service in Holbeck. Local children came dressed up as their favourite book characters and were treated to some special goodie bags, filled with books and stationery.
The Mobile Community Hub will be in Holbeck, outside St Matthew’s Community Centre on Tuesdays (10am-3:30pm) and Thursdays (9:30am-3:30pm). Already Holbeck Together have been welcoming members of the community to the bus, many who need support and guidance to access the services which will best support them.
Visitors don’t need to make an appointment to either service and can just drop-in, but if there’s a short wait, Holbeck Together’s community cafe is open for visitors to have a cup of tea while they wait.
Storybus will be in Holbeck on Thursdays, 10–11:30am. Perfect for little ones under 5, inside this special bus is a treasure trove of lovely books and fun activities – and the Storybus’s friendly storytellers can help you choose books to borrow that will tickle every taste.
This post is based on a press release issued by Holbeck Together
