Community project in South Leeds receives National Lottery Funding
St Luke’s Church, based in Holbeck, is set to kick start an exciting community project thanks to funding from the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund. The project aims to transform lives for the better in Holbeck, Beeston and Hunslet Moor.
The church building itself, on Malvern Road, will become a hub for positive youth activities, courses to help people towards employment, and events to bring communities together. To make their big plans happen, St Luke’s are embarking on a year of building work, starting in 2018. An extension will be added to one end of the historic Grade II listed Victorian building. This will make space for community rooms, a well-equipped catering kitchen, project offices and improved toilet facilities
This long-term project means five new community workers will be making a difference in the area. There will be a youth champion, a social cohesion worker and an employability worker supporting families throughout the estate. This team will be supported by a project coordinator and an administrator.
The building improvements aren’t just great for the growing, vibrant congregation of St Luke’s, but will benefit all the communities around the church. The new hall will be the perfect venue for youth activities, drop-ins, advice and cross-cultural events. The flexible meeting spaces can be used by local community organisations throughout the week, and the new kitchen will provide the community with facilities for cookery skills courses and event catering.
The renovation plans mean the building will soon be fit for the future, and much better equipped to serve the social needs of the whole community.
Cllr Adam Oglivie said:
“There is a real need for a project that can offer an intensive and sustained focus on social cohesion, work with young people, employability and cross cultural programmes specifically for this area. The St Luke’s project will really help the local community and has the potential to play an important role in helping to bring together groups and individuals in the local neighbourhood.”
Cllr Angela Gabriel added:
“St Luke’s is at the heart of the community, and these project workers and new community rooms at the church will make a big difference in the local area.”
Keep in touch with developments at St Luke’s on Facebook: www.facebook.com/stlukeschurchholbeck/
