I used to use the service when I was homeless and it was aright back then the staff were helpful…read morebut I since I've gone back and since the feeds have moved there is one particular member of staff from the staff team that I feel has not being particular helpful at first I thought she was just been considerate and kind when she asked me enquiringley what are you doing here when I sat down to eat my dinner I told her I was there to get my dinner was that I wanted to move house because wasn't happy with my accommodation but it was alright for me at that moment I had to go to soup runs to afford to travel to the soup runs form my house in the first place but I told her I was OK for now and she said don't move house and I assumed she meant well I just didn't think she was being supportive because I felt under pressure and she was offering support that wasn't relevant and what she said had left me feeling reluctant to confide in her about my issues in future and tell her how i felt and I became distant from her and then then an incident occurred between me and another person and she without asking whether I needed her help started getting involved because I said something to him and this member of staff had relayed to me what he had told her and stated that he said he didn't know what he had done wrong yet I felt like I had been yelled at by him and instead of empathising and showing compassion and trying to understand what I needed from her and asking me what I wanted from her and offering solutions to try to resolve the problem so I feel safe eating my dinner at St annes without bring shouted at it left me feeling that I should be feeling sorry for this guy that I feel had shouted at me and I felt like she was trying to gain my sympathies and show and ounce of concern for my feelings and not consider my need so I'm concerned that she might be putting my safety at risk now and she maybe using some swords excuse not to help me feel safe and that she might be covering something up I'm superstitious of her and I felt she was trying to gain my sympathies, so I felt sorry for her because she couldn't of helped me I I tried to explain the situation to her again and she seemed to change the subject and asked If I wanted volunteer work which Is erelevant to what we had a conversation about but with me left with the reluctance to do anything though feeling sorry for her I foolishly went along with it and she made an arrangement to see me on the Friday she said when she was going to be there but didn't ask if I was comfortable with the arrangement how unhelpful is that I Don't feel safe around her and some of the staff don't seem approachable so I'm staying away and wait until the situation escalates where there is more evidence against her and then take necessary action against her by involving the authorities if necessary if that particular staff memebers behavior escalates I said I wanted to leave to another service user and she was in ear shot of it and she seems to of stood there with a belligerent stance with a snarling lolook on her face and said to me your leaving and then started and felt like she was laughing with as if with mocking jocaulity and I just felt threatened and intimidated and felt uneasy around her yet i felt her was behaviour was quite strange and I felt like she was eavesdropping on my conversation I and she made remark after a confrontation I had with another member and said in confidence I i didnt know you had a gob on you and i didn't Think that comment was think it was helpful when I'd just being in confrontion with someone because it could have been brought out of context when she didn't how I was feeling and it could have been taken to offense and I didn't know how to respond because I don't trust her and perhaps don't want her in my life I hope she finds what she's looking for.

Originally established as a center for advice on homelessness and now reaching out to other…read moreagencies of the same guise people can come to the centre for advice on benefits, a place to clean themselves and have a safe address for mail, gain information on other services and have a place to socialise. On top of this there is an emergency housing provision. The Big Issue North is in the same building and there is drug treatment available as well as the Harm Reduction Service. Not the most cheery of subjects but this is an important resource and as usual with these centers could not be run without the help of dedicated volunteers

Volunteering for Hyde Park Source one day a week one summer is one of the best things I have done…read morein Leeds. In the Hyde Park/Burley area they re-develop the bin yards that every 4 houses shares on the streets of narrow back-to-backs that are usually totally unusable for anything and often filled with rubbish. The bin yards - with permission and in-put from the residents - are transformed into spaces that are nice to be in and usable, for growing plants or having bbq's. Mosaics get made, walls get painted and planters filled all with the help of volunteers like me and kids from school who don't necessarily get on in the classroom. It was such a rewarding experience for me. I got to learn how to lay paving, render walls, make mosaics, use a saw, all whilst supporting the young people on the project. Working with people in the community like this also widened my eyes to Leeds beyond the impermanent student bubble; I became aware of an older group of people involved in things such as Unity Day. The gardens really brighten up the area too and sometimes I wish I had a bin yard so they could come and jazz up my space!

I volunteer for Hyde Park Source once a week, and am really glad I do. It is really rewarding and I…read moreget to learn new skills and try out things I have never done before. They started out in 1998 with the idea of improving the local environment through building and renovating spaces that were not safe or just really dirty, into gardens, play areas and social spaces for people to enjoy. Nowadays the organisation is more based around training and development, but integrated with the environmental aspect it was previously surrounding. They provide support and training to disadvantaged young people through the various projects they take on around the community, teaching various construction, gardening, art and design and technology skills. Things such as digging, designing and making mosaics, willow weaving and bird house making are among many of the activities you can expect to find. It is a highly valued part of its community and provides a positive and educational place for people to come and learn or who just want to give something back.

Community, community, community. Starting from the very grassiest of grassroots Oblong has survived…read moreyears of battles against bad landlords and the difficulties of securing funding to finally squeezing its way into Woodhouse Community Centre gaining better space provision for its large spread of activities as well as bigger platform from which to demonstrate a none-hierarchical organisation. You pay to become a member then have access to very good sources of IT and knowledge. You can volunteer to help on various projects from green space improvement to helping on the administration side of things or begin your own community-minded project. This is a fantastic place to learn new skills or just as a space to think away from the home or library environments.

Oblong is an excellent community resource centre near to Hyde Park. As soon as you walk in, you…read morefeel comfortable, and there's plenty of things to get involved in. For example, there is a bicycle maintenance workshop, an art group, computer lessons, and yoga classes. See their website for everything you can get involved in. The co-op food group is a terrific idea too.

Community Links is a provider of mental health services in Yorkshire and The Humber, that supports…read moreover 700 people. The organisation began in 1981 and is now one of the leading providers of such services in Yorkshire and The Humber. Some of their services include, alcohol support service, deaf mental health community development, home support, and mental health first aid and long and short stay hostels. They do stress however, that they are unfortunately not an emergency housing service or any other kind of emergency service.

Archway are an organisation who help young people between 16 - 25 with housing support and various…read moreother services, enabling them to live effectively in their communities. They provide help and support for young people who may not have had the best start in life, and get them on the right track to having a more substantial and comfortable future. They do this through encouraging community involvement, encouraging activities that will increase confidence and the ability to take on training and education, and providing various support facilities to do so. Archway is an inspiring organisation. Helping young people achieve their potential is something that many cities across the UK could benefit from. This building is the resource centre for the organisation, although many of their actual work is on outreach basis.

I was massively surprised and impressed to see the variety of events that are available at this…read morecommunity centre all seemingly quite holistic and for improving the well-being of people who will attend. Very cheap yoga and pilates. Gardening skills where you can start growing your own vegetables communally and hopefully reap the rewards come summer and autumn. I love all this, right up my street and hopefully it will draw people away from the Morrisons that sits not too far away. Sometimes it is hard to keep the impetus running on events such as these especially through cold winter months so lets hope this keeps going.

Burley Lodge is a 'community anchor' organisation in Leeds, which runs several projects each year…read moreregarding the development and improvement of the lives of Leeds locals. They offer support and structure to many people and work alongside other organisations as a charity. Members of the organisation include families, individuals, volunteers, and partners. Two of my close friends work for Burley Lodge and really enjoy what they do. They have been given opportunities they would not find in many other jobs such as community development training and stand by it as an organisation that makes a positive difference and impact on the community involved. Some of the key projects running at the moment are: Kids United and United Youth Burley Lodge United Burley Lodge Advice Centre

Burley Lodge Centre really livens up the surrounding area, which is in need of a boost. It is a…read moreregistered charity that specialises in providing services that benefit local residents in a variety of ways. It provides activities for children and families to improve confidence and life skills, work placements for those seeking employment and financial and housing advice. The building was refurbished in 2007 and has a bright, clean and airy feel. There are good-sized rooms available to hire for workshops and events, and this provides part of the income for the centre, so is money well spent. The staff, some of whom are volunteers, are very friendly and welcoming, and there always seems to be a few youngsters running about, which gives the place a lively and dynamic atmosphere. Burley Lodge provides a focal point for the community and with its clean modern feel and range of excellent services, ensures that local residents feel valued and cared for.

The Miners Hall in Garforth is a real asset to the community. Inside a host of activities take…read moreplace that assist in the provision community with services by housing them and allowing them to take place. These services range from social pledges such as giving blood to regular art meetings, with the Community Arts Group meeting being held inside, to yoga. A lovely building in the heart of a little town.