New City of Neighbours project launches to put community voices at the heart of local action
A new community‑led initiative, City of Neighbours, is launching this May in the wards of Beeston and Holbeck, and Hunslet and Riverside, with the aim of developing activities and communities to meet with people’s needs.
Run by charity Leeds Sanctuary, City of Neighbours will be a project of two parts: the first phase will take place within existing local services, where one of Leeds Sanctuary’s practitioners will be available to offer a listening ear to anyone who would welcome an informal conversation.
A spokesperson for the scheme said: "Insights gathered through this work will then shape the second phase of the project, when Leeds Sanctuary will use their findings to develop new activities, communities and/or services that are co‑produced with local people, ensuring that solutions are rooted in lived experience rather than imposed from the outside."
Director of Leeds Sanctuary, Anna Bland added: “City of Neighbours brings together our specialisms and experiences of community‑building, justice‑seeking and wellbeing work in a unique way, recognising that meaningful change happens when people are supported to work collectively on the issues affecting their lives.
"By starting with listening, City of Neighbours aims to create spaces where people feel valued, connected and empowered to shape positive change in their communities.”
The project will launch in May, and is funded by the Inner South West Community Committee.
Leeds Sanctuary believes this will mark the start of a long‑term commitment to working alongside residents in Inner South West Leeds to build stronger, more responsive communities.
Leeds Sanctuary hosts communities and events, and creates campaigns and resources, to engage residents.
The spokesperson added: "Through the development of sanctuary spaces for those on the margins, we enable supportive relationships to develop and bring about change in people’s circumstances and society."
For more information about City of Neighbours and other communities and activities run by Leeds Sanctuary, please visit www.leedssanctuary.org.uk . For direct enquiries, please contact Anna Bland: [email protected] .