We were featured along side our partners New Wortley Community Centre on BBC Look North last night where we discussed our Touchstone Loves food Project. In the past week we have helped over 400 families by purchasing food and delivering it all over East and South Leeds. 50% of people receiving emergency food parcels are from BAME communities. Our staff and volunteers have been working tirelessly to buy, pack and
I would like to pass my sincere thanks on to everybody at Forward Leeds, 5ways, Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service and Touchstone. I have been trying to reduce my drinking for approximately 10 years and the last 5 years have been particularly difficult as my consumption increased and seriously affected both my mental and physical health. My first contact at Forward Leeds was with a worker that himself had had an
Before coming to Touchstone, I was not unfamiliar with being around individuals living with dementia; my grandfather was diagnosed 5 years ago, and I have seen first-hand how his condition has progressed, and the effects this has had on him and other family members. While my grandparents are regular attendees of the group, I had no idea what to expect! However, I was pleasantly surprised… I was impressed with the
The Touchstone Volunteers Project is very open, diverse and service user (SU) friendly. Not only do our SU benefit from the contributions of volunteers, but some also take on the role themselves. Volunteers have the opportunity to volunteer in a number of roles across Touchstone and with partner organisations. Some of our volunteers are befrienders for SU's. This has resulted in SU's reporting an increase in attending social activities, a
I didn’t really know what to make of Best Start Peer Support when I first heard about it. It intrigued me, but I wasn’t sure it was my thing. A friend of mine had done it and told me I would enjoy it, so I decided to take myself out of my comfort zone and go. I felt trepidation at going somewhere that offered me ways to cope better, and
The Migrant Access Project (MAP+) helps new arrivals in Leeds to connect with the local community, including finding volunteering opportunities. One of our MAP+ volunteers have shared some of her experience and feedback with us: "I suffered a really bad injury at work and had to reduce my hours, which meant I started getting into debt. My emotional health deteriorated. Meeting the Leeds Neighbourhood approach officers and Nick has helped
Volunteers play an important role in supporting the Liaison and Diversion service, both in the community and in the custody suite. Volunteers provide variety to our service and, in return, experience with us enables them to get closer to their goals. One of our volunteers joined us as his goal was to change career and become a support worker. We are delighted that he has now been recruited to the
Most people have had experience of feeling new, not knowing where things are or how to get help. Well, here is your opportunity to be a buddy to somebody that is new to the city - to show them things like: where the train and bus stations are visiting museums together exploring different areas of Leeds how to access services like GPs taking up a hobby together. We are looking
TOUCHSTONE’S VOLUNTEER MARKET PLACE INFORMATION AND RECRUITMENT EVENT LEEDS POLISH CENTRE CHAPELTOWN ROAD LS7 4JE THURSDAY 28th SEPTEMBER 10AM-2PM Are you a passionate and supportive individual? Looking for work experience in the field of mental health and wellbeing? Interested in becoming a Touchstone volunteer? Come along to our volunteer market place! Contact Zeba Khan on 0113 2192727 for more information. Download poster
What do I need to become a WY-FI Peer Mentor? To become a WY-FI Peer Mentor you must have: previous experience of volunteering or peer mentoring (supporting people) lived experience of at least two of the following: homelessness addiction to drugs, substances and/or alcohol re-offending behaviour mental ill health How do I become a WY-FI Peer Mentor? The next WY-FI peer mentor course will begin in August 2017. Closing dates