Web directory aims to help Leeds people get support

Aireborough Supported Activities Scheme (ASAS), which runs respite breaks for children with special needs, has set up the ASAS Directory.

The online portal, which was devised by its assistant project manager Liam Sanders, brings together a vast array of groups and information under one roof.

Liam said the charity had looked for alternative ways to support people after it had to suspend its face-to-face activities because of the COVID-19 restrictions.

The self-taught IT wizard, who juggles his ASAS duties with a full-time job in the NHS, spent four days to developing the web resource, which covers everything from domestic abuse helplines to community dental services.

He said: “It is basically a one-stop shop for information about children, young people, families and resources for professionals. It has a wide range of material, we didn’t want to narrow it down to children and young people, we wanted it to be a resource for Leeds.

It has got information about housing, access to social care and e-reading materials. We have centred it a lot around disability because that is our background and that is what the wealth of our information is about. But there is information on there about family activities - free resources which you can access. It takes you YouTube. And there are all sorts of links to well-being, emotional help, safeguarding, schools and education.”

Among the subjects covered is domestic abuse, which Liam said was “rife” at the moment. There is a video for children to show what domestic abuse is. There is also help to identify whether it’s happening in their family home. Another link click takes the user through to information about Leeds Domestic Violence Service. This shows you how to report abuse if you are in danger but not able to speak about it, and how to find a safe play to stay.

Site developer Liam said the directory went live on Monday, April 27. It has had an 83 per cent increase of visits in the first seven days. Online metrics also show that people are visiting more than once.

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Liam said: “People have loved it so far. We have been getting shares on Twitter and on Facebook. It has been going all over the place. That is what we want, as we want people to be aware of it.”

“We have had a few more people approach us to say, ‘Would you be able to put this on the directory?’. It’s a kind of free hosting service for them. So it benefits them and the people of Leeds to get the information they need.”

He hopes people will scroll through the different options and find several topics that are relevant to them. More and more information is being put on the directory daily.

Liam and his colleagues are happy to do their bit to help keep the people of Leeds safe and well informed. But they are looking forward to a time when it is safe to resume their normal role of looking after children who often have complex needs.

He said: “We absolutely, as soon as it is safe and practically possible, want to get back to face-face services.”

Trying to achieve that in a fast-changing situation is difficult, to say the least. But the ASAS management team is looking at a range of safe options to enable them to deliver their vital respite service in person.

To see the ASAS directory go to: bit.ly/asas-directory.

FUNDING:

Aireborough Supported Activities Scheme (ASAS) is urging people to get creative to help support it during lockdown.

The respite group, which helps children with additional needs and their families, is part funded by Leeds City Council, grants and donations.

Like many charities, ASAS has been hit hard by the lockdown restrictions. It has had to suspend its face-to-face activities and plans for its big summer residential holiday have had to be put on hold.

But Liam Sanders, ASAS’ assistant project manager believes the answer to funding may lie in online challenges. He said: “There are all sorts of crazy ways to raise money out there. The typical ones are quite difficult at the moment because of social distancing and lockdown, which are hampering charities quite a lot because people can’t fundraise as much.

“So it is about things that you can do in your house and garden. There is a DIY haircut challenge, although we can’t take any responsibility if it goes wrong!”

He also said people could donate the ‘fiver’ they had saved from not being able to go to the pub, or maybe they could do sponsored laps around their garden.

Liam added: “Every little bit does go a long way with the charities. If people donate anything to us then that is an absolute bonus. We want to just help people. That is ultimately what we set the charity up for.”

To support ASAS, please go to bit.ly/asas-donate.