On Saturday 13 May 2023, the very first Let’s Move: South Leeds event created a great vibe in Cross Flatts Park. Many thanks to all the partners who supported to develop the concept, and those who put on some great free activities, and to residents who attended.
Along with activities from youth services and breeze, we had Dewsbury Road Hub supporting with a very popular treasure hunt with a dip in the Wonder Bag and a snack bag (kindly donated by Morrisons). Many thanks to the Inner South Community Committee for their support. Thanks also to Mark Hodgkinson and the team (via Space, Salvation Army) for cooking up some delicious pizzas to be enjoyed by many.
We’re already planning next year’s event, which is likely to be end of April 2024. If you’d like to get involved helping develop next year’s event or would like your group to be a part of it, then get in touch.
The event was developed in part to showcase some of the good stuff happening across South Leeds, so whether you were able to attend on 13 May or not, we thought we’d share a quick lowdown on some of the groups who provided activities, and how you can find out more about them:
Parkrun (www.parkrun.org.uk)
Walk, jog or run it – Cross Flatts parkrun is a free, fun and friendly 5km community event every Saturday at 9am. Anyone new attending is guaranteed a warm welcome. If you want to clock your time then register online for your barcode which you can show at parkrun on your phone or printed copy. A junior 2km parkrun (for 4 to 14 year olds) takes place event Sunday at 9am.
Yoga4Leeds (www.yoga4leeds.com)
Weekly every Saturday at 10am in Cross Flatts Park for all abilities, all genders, for all ages (ideally 12+). Be guided through a range of different yoga poses with options for all whether you’re a beginner or looking for something more challenging. There’s just a small weekly fee for this session.
Playstreets in the Park (facilitated by Kidz Klub) (www.leeds.gov.uk/campaign/play-streets www.kidzklubleeds.org.uk)
Kidz Klub Leeds do many great things with children and families across Beeston Hill and Holbeck, along with other areas of the city. An exciting element of that work has been Play Streets Enablement. For the event they bought Play Streets to the Park.
Play streets can happen when residents apply to the council to close the streets outside their homes to traffic for a few hours. This allows children to play and neighbours to come together and relax and have fun on their street.
South Leeds Valkyries (Find them on Instagram)
An inclusive local women’s basketball team, developed from the idea of South Leeds resident Clara to provide something fun, active and inclusive that women of any ability could come along and join in with to help meet others and have weekly ‘time out for themselves’. Seed funded originally through Get Set Leeds Local, these sessions currently take place weekly through summer on Thursday evenings at Lane End Primary School.
Cross Flatts Bowling Club
It was great to see all ages having a go and enjoying a range of new bowling activities at Cross Flatts Bowling Club. Through funding from GSLL and Inner South Community Committee the club has new balls and activities which proved a fun intro into the game. The Bowling Club have taster sessions throughout summer for all ages and abilities. First session is free, then just £2 a session. These take place Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays 1–4pm. The club would also love to welcome groups along to have a try.
Good Deeds (www.gooddeeds.org.uk)
Young leaders from Good Deeds supported the by putting on a variety of multi-sports tasters. Good Deeds are a local community group who seek to manage and co-ordinate community projects for the benefit of the community, with a focus on young people so that they can have self-confidence and life skills to play an active part in their community’s and have a purpose in life. They currently deliver weekly multi-activity sessions for teenage boys, giving them positive experiences.
Adult Learn to Ride (with Cycle North) (www.cyclenorth.co.uk)
Cycle North utilise our Cross Flatts Cycle Hub to deliver free adult learn to ride sessions for anyone to register and join in with. Currently in Cross Flatts Park they deliver 2 sessions a week – on Saturday’s 10am–12noon and Saturdays 12:30–2:30pm. The sessions are free for anyone to book onto. Bikes and helmets provided. Follow through the website and book any session, any week via Eventbrite.
Holbeck Together (www.holbecktogether.org)
A third sector organisation situated in Holbeck (working wider), originating as a neighbourhood network working with older people but now creating activities and opportunities for all ages. We’re pleased to be supporting their new box fitness class which takes place every Tuesday 9–9:45am at St Matthew’s Community Centre.
Hunslet RLFC Foundation
Aidan from the Foundation popped along to the event to promote the new Brickfield ParkPlay sessions. ParkPlay at Brickfield Park (Lady Pitt Lane) will take place all year, every Saturday 10:30am. Its free and for all ages. Register in advance or turn up and give it a try Brickfield – ParkPlay (park-play.com)
Aidan also shared information about local clubs such as Beeston Broncos who are keen to welcome new young players.
Leeds Dock Paddleboarding Club (www.leedsdock.com)
It was great to see a range of paddleboards being displayed by Amy and Dean. Children (and some adults) enjoyed jumping on and getting the feel for it. The club run introductory sessions for both adults and juniors at Leeds Docks throughout summer (for a small fee – £20 inc all kit, or £10 if you have your own board). Check out their Facebook page for latest info on session dates/times.
Parkroll (www.ls-ten.org)
This weekly session delivered by LS-TEN has proved a huge hit for the South Leeds community. Developed from the idea of a South Leeds resident and seed funded through Get Set Leeds Local, it has continued to grow. It’s back outside at Cross Flatts Park for summer, and through funding this year from Yorkshire Sport Foundation it is able to continue to offer free coaching and free skate hire (pre book before sessions).
Leeds United Foundation
Weekly KICKS sessions for children continue in Holbeck and Beeston Hill. No booking required, but contact the KICKS lead to find out more and to complete a registration form before attending the first session (kicks@leedsunited.com). A range of adult football activities are being supported through the Active Through Football project, led by Leeds United Founsation and supported by Active Leeds and local third sector organisations. It is funded through the Football Foundation to support informal football opportunities for adults of all ages across Beeston & Holbeck, and Hunslet & Riverside wards. Contact ATF@leedsunited.com to find out more about existing sessions, or to see if they can enable a new session to grow.
Yorkshire Cricket Foundation
Weekly free Street Cricket for ages 8–15 years takes place every Saturday at Old Cockburn Sports Hall. All abilities welcomed, with no specialist equipment required. Everything provided.
8-12 years of age 10-11:30am / 13-15 years of age 11:30am-1pm
If you’ve a young person interested contact Khizar Hussain on 07904 190780
re:establish (www.reestablish.org.uk)
Providing a fun target activity at the event was Ryan, a youth worker passionate about the work re:establish do each week with young people. Through their work with 7–19 year olds re:establish create positive connections and positive experiences. They create space for young people, creating opportunity for change through both open drop in sessions, targeted closed work, along with positives gained through providing other life experiences.
Your Back Yard (www.yourbackyard.org.uk)
Your Back Yard enabled a free taster of Tai Chi at the event, which is just one of their free online classes. Along with the online classes Your Back Yard has a range of other projects which enable young and old to move more.
If you have ideas for anything that may help others move more get in touch. Get Set Leeds Local is a Sport England funded project, covering Holbeck & Beeston and Hunslet & Riverside, which is led by Active Leeds (part of Leeds City Council). Collectively we work with residents, community partners and council colleagues to explore how we can create active communities. Funding and support is available. Follow us on social media, or get in touch via karen.peck@leeds.gov.uk / 07891 274130
This post was written by Karen Peck
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