Get Set Leeds Local, led by Active Leeds and part of Leeds City Council, is a Sport England funded project for Beeston Hill and Holbeck.
It works with the community to be solution focused, looking at how collectively as a community we can help more people move more often.
We’ve had some amazing community ideas come to us which we’ve been able to support in 2021. We look forward to whatever 2022 brings, so please do continue to share your ideas for what could help create a more active Beeston Hill or Holbeck.
In 2021 we set up a Community Cycle hub at Cross Flatts Park, attracting British Cycling funding to set up resources which could be used by community groups for cycling activity, and bringing together cycling partners who together have delivered more than 200 sessions at Cross Flatts Park, ranging from adult learn to ride sessions, women’s only led rides, Cycle for Health and many more. For anyone local wanting to get back on a bike, there’s hopefully something being developed there to support you. Look out for more bike activity sessions returning back for 2022.
Get Set Leeds Local has a Community Chest Pot up to £300 which any local group or resident can apply to, to help fund your “good idea” for something which will help people be active.
Here’s a selection of some of the fantastic South Leeds projects we’ve helped over 2021 through the Community Chest Pot.
Park equipment – Sets of equipment for Cross Flatts Park which people can borrow located at Watsonian Café at Cross Flatts Park and Holbeck Together.
Beeston Parkside FC – Equipment and support for this new South Leeds football team, based now at Cross Flatts Park.
Recovery Runners – Training up of additional run leaders to support the welcoming running sessions, which support people recovery from addiction, based now at Leeds Dock.
Dewsbury Road Table Tennis – a new indoor table tennis table and refreshments to support a local resident to set up a free weekly community session, supported by the LCC Project Team.
Springback self-defence – funding to pilot a new recovery 
project for women who have experienced economic, social disadvantage and / or abuse to enable them to move more, feel more confident and less fearful through a holistic self defence programme.
A highlight for us in 2021 was being able to support with encouragement, equipment, creating connections and advice, these 3 exciting new community activities to develop for Holbeck and Beeston Hill, all of which encompassed exactly what Get Set Leeds Local is all about – community led, coproduced, working with the strengths of individuals from Beeston Hill and Holbeck and collaboration.
ParkRoll – local resident Catherine came to us after reading an article in South Leeds Life with an idea from her daughter for some local rollerskating sessions. Get Set Leeds Local went to LS-Ten and Be Good Skates, and together with Catherine the weekly ParkRoll idea developed. Through summer these took place at Cross Flatts Park, and have moved indoors over winter. Get Set Leeds Local was able to fund skates for people to borrow, funding for t-shirts which feature a design by a local child and other pockets of support. It will be back at Cross Flatts in the Spring, and will be calling for volunteers to help.
South Leeds Valkyries – Clara from Beeston Hill spoke to us about an idea for a weekly women’s basketball session. At it’s core is having a friendly welcoming session for local women creating a safe space for new friendships and social connections. With support with a coach from Let’s Do More basketball club and some equipment, this new women’s basketball club arose playing now at Coburn High School.
Holbeck Moor Football Club – As Slung Low started to think about winding down the fantastic work they were doing as a food hub, resident Ewan came to them with an idea for an inclusive football team for men and women, which he would help coach. Slung Low probably didn’t realise what they were taking on, but with true Slung Low grit and determination the sessions began in the summer with huge weekly numbers, which have supported people in so many ways. It’s open to all adults, whatever your experience.
If you have a good idea for something that could support people to move more, then just get in touch. We may be able to help make it happen.
We’re also keen to hear your insight and ideas on what the challenges to being active are. Collectively we can develop a place where being active is an easier choice for more people. E-mail getsetleedslocal@leeds.gov.uk
This post was written by Karen Peck
We encourage anyone living or working in South Leeds to use this website to tell their news. You can either use the Create an article for South Leeds Life page, or email us at: info@southleedslife.com
