Supporting families with food and activities

A grant from Leeds Community Foundation has enabled Health for All’s Young People and Families service launch a COVID-19 Emergency Response project to help local families in south Leeds.

The charity has reopened Middleton Family Centre for a day each week, as a Hub from which to deliver practical and emotional support to local families. Although only running for three weeks, more than 100 families have benefited from Food and Activity parcels delivered direct to their homes.

The project is ongoing and demand is growing. In addition to the weekly parcel drops, plans are being drawn up to deliver door-step activity packs for every household with children on Sissons Road, Middleton and a ‘Dance in your front garden’ session for children and families during May half term.

Manager Vikrant Bhatia says:

“We at Health for All always try to go the extra mile, meeting families’ needs in a holistic way – so along with the food parcels, we drop off a lovely free Family Activities Pack to help keep children and teenagers engaged while off school. We know there are lots of activities available online, but not every family has access to the internet – it costs money and families sometimes have to make difficult choices. We’re delighted to be able to continue supporting families in our local area – it’s our privilege to be at their service.”

To avoid duplication with other local COVID-19 initiatives, HFA is prioritising those families unable to access other forms of support who are struggling to cope but lack the skills or confidence to ask for help.

Many families benefitting were regular attendees at the weekly support groups run by Health for All until they had to temporarily close following government advice to reduce risk during the pandemic.

April saw HFA Young People and Families staff make over 300 wellbeing calls, signpost 400 to online activities, deliver 110 food packs, help 40 people with benefits or health issues and run 20 online activity groups.

The service is open to any family that needs it – if you feel you would benefit or know a family who does, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

Thank you Leeds Community Foundation for supporting families in our area!

Contact Vikrant  – vikrant.bhatia@healthforall.org.uk or Tel. 07956 077 727