Partnership inspires young people across West Yorkshire and Harrogate to spread the kindness by ‘Looking out for each other’
Over 22 local organisations working alongside young people across West Yorkshire and Harrogate have signed up to support a new #SpreadTheKindness campaign.
In September, West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership (WY&H HCP) launched an exciting new phase of the ‘Looking out for our neighbours’ community campaign. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic the campaign had inspired over 49,000 people to get involved by making a positive difference to their neighbours’ lives through acts of kindness.
#SpreadTheKindness is reaching 15–24-year-olds living, in education or working across the area. It aims to encourage young people to check in and share positive messages with friends either online or in person.
WY&H HCP wants to thank all organisations who have already signed up to the campaign and who are sharing it with local young people. This includes: Coop Member Pioneer and Calder community cares, North Yorkshire County Council, The Brunswick Centre, Wakefield Youth Justice Services, Kirklees Council, Good News Yorkshire, Healthy Futures Calderdale ,Leeds University Union, Barca-Leeds, 12th Leeds Boys: Brigade, Joint Activities & Motor Education Service, Newground Together, The Holy Family Catholic School, The Youth Association, Calder Community Cares, Leeds College of Building, Young Lives Consortium, Healthwatch , Crofton and Sharlston Medical Practice, Children Inspired by Yoga, The Kindness Hub and North Huddersfield Trust School.
As more organisations continue to sign up each day it’s not too late to join them. If you work alongside local young people, you can sign up to the campaign today. It takes two minutes to complete an online form at: ourneighbours.org.uk/eachother/
The simplicity of the #SpreadTheKindness campaign means organisations can adapt the campaign to suit them and the young people they work alongside. Once organisations sign-up they receive a supporter’s pack containing the campaign materials and one of the campaign ambassadors will be in touch to talk you through some ideas of how you can use the pack. There’s lots of ways to work with young people and showcase how they are spreading kindness, this could be through a short video, taking photographs or sharing their activity online.
The Brunswick Centre provides community-based services across Calderdale and Kirklees and are actively supporting the campaign. The young people from the LGBT youth group created a video about how they are spreading kindness with each other and this can be viewed online .
Kate Ribchester a LGBT Youth Worker from The Brunswick Centre said: “At the Brunswick centre our young people have really embraced spreading kindness, from small gestures of making toast to listening and being there for each other. As a worker we are constantly seeing young people struggling with their mental health. Spreading acts of kindness, we know helps improve mental health and spreads happiness”
Beate Wagner, Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services at Wakefield Council and Joint Senior Responsible Officer for the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Children, Young People and Families Programme, said: “Looking out for each other has never been more important. A huge thank you to the broad variety of organisations, schools and settings working alongside young people that have so far signed up. Services in daily contact with young people such as the community groups, justice services and universities are already making such a positive difference and even more so by sharing this simple but important message”.
Dr Adam Sheppard, Chair of NHS Wakefield Clinical Commissioning Group, and the urgent and emergency care programme board, said “The many local organisations signing up gives this campaign the platform to make a real difference. Increasing the connectivity and personal resilience of young people are factors that can have a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing. It’s great to know that so many local young people will be seeing it and inspired by it.”
Saleem a campaign ambassador for #SpreadTheKindness said “It has been great speaking to lots of different organisations and discussing how they can get involved with the campaign. Sign up today by visiting the website ourneighbours.org/eachother.”
Welcome to this weeks’ VSI alliance News & Events. You will find jobs in the sector, training and events, news and updates from community and social enterprise groups. Take part in public consultations and find available funding for your organisation.
All staff at the VSI Alliance are available remotely to support you and your organisation at this time with various aspects of your work, along with providing key information and resources. For support/advice, please contact info@vsialliance.org.uk, or visit www.vsialliance.org.uk for more contact details.
This month’s newsletter discusses the service changes due to the Halifax Bus Station works, Sports Centres and Library updates along with events, activities and helpful bits of information.
Safe Online : From Fake News to Extremism in a Digital Age
Elland and District Men’s Probus next meeting October 12th
What makes your community thrive?
Calderdale athletes regional homecoming at first direct Arena
Have a great weekend!
If you’re on our mailing list the Friday Flyer will arrive direct to your inbox every Friday. Join the mailing list by emailing team@calderdalelowervalley.com
You are invited to a training session which explores false news and online propaganda. Together, we will explore how to tell if information online is suspect or distorts the truth, and what to do if you see online material that promotes extremism
The projects aim to equip you with the understanding of the difference between traditional online safety learning and how the internet is used to spread extremist messaging.
The session uses real life examples from apps, games and websites that are in common use by the participants to explore how narratives are spread through imaging, messaging and manipulation. It allows participants to recognise extremist activity, how to be resilient to false and manipulative activity, and how to take action safely if they are exposed to it.
The workshops use methods that make these issues meaningful for participants and will provide a safe space to explore them. Our experience in this realm of work allows us to broach often difficult subjects and make them accessible and safe for participants.
The feedback from the people who have engaged with the sessions is overwhelmingly positive, and all concerned said that they would recommend the projects to others.
The Elland & District Probus Club met for the first meeting of the new session on Tuesday the 28th of September at the Elland Working men’s Club.
The speaker was Mr Paul Addy and his subject was the development of the British Motor Car industry from the 1800 to the present day.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday the 12th of October at 10am at the Club when the speaker will be Mr Melvyn Cook.
Melvyn will give a visual presentation, an African Wildlife Bonanza. All men will be made welcome so come along and join us in the warm comfortable room.
Any EU, EEA or Swiss citizens living in Calderdale who missed the 30 June deadline to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme, are encouraged to make a late application as soon as possible.
The deadline has now passed for EU, EEA or Swiss citizens to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme to allow them to work, study, access free healthcare and benefits in the UK. However, the Government has announced that individuals who have missed the 30 June deadline can resolve their immigration status by making late applications to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Calderdale Council can provide support for local residents who are yet to apply for the scheme and advise of suggested next steps. Appointments can be made to verify the identity of applicants so they can make a late application.
Applicants can email EUSettlement@calderdale.gov.uk or call 07857 601530 for more information or to book an appointment.
More information is available at www.calderdale.gov.uk, search for EU settlement scheme.
Mayor of West Yorkshire Launches Police and Crime Plan Consultation – Complete survey by October 17th
Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of West Yorkshire has today officially launched the consultation to inform her first Police and Crime Plan.
The Mayor is urging everyone in West Yorkshire to get involved and #TellTracy about your policing and community safety priorities.
The consultation will feed directly into the new Plan which sets the strategic direction for West Yorkshire Police, community safety partners and commissioned services over the next three years.
An online survey has been launched along with a host of other options to get involved.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “I’m very excited to be launching this consultation today. We’ve worked really hard to make it as comprehensive and inclusive as we can with options to feedback including an online survey, over the phone, email, in person, social media and virtual events.
“Your views and the information collected will be crucial, not only in setting priorities but also to ensure I am focusing activity and funding on the areas of greatest need to the people of West Yorkshire.
“The Plan will be underpinned by some key principles that sit at the core of everything that my Deputy for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe, and I do. These are, safety for women and girls, diversity, equality and inclusion, and early intervention and prevention.”
Message Sent By Mayoral Combined Authority, Communications, West Yorkshire
Calderdale is a wonderful borough in which to live and work. However, we are also aspiring to be a supportive and inclusive place to grow old.
There are wonderful things going on all over Calderdale to help people age well and stay healthy and happy for longer.
Join those who have celebrated the International Day of Older Persons by tweeting a photo of you holding up a statement to say, “I support the International Day of Older People’ and using the #agefriendlyCdale.
Some helpful resources for older people in Calderdale
