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.

Very understanding, well-informed, good advice, and on the case!read more

Cloth Cat Studios have been around for almost as long as I can remember. I recall seeing their…read moreflyers dotted around the bar at Dr Wu's way back when I first moved to Leeds and didn't at first give them much thought. On first glance I assumed they were just a recording studio - how wrong I was! Cloth Cat Studios is an excellent institution here in Leeds, a not-for-profit org, who exist to further the local communities education, understanding and ability in the area of music. Just glancing at their website will demonstrate the range of skills and lessons on offer here - in depth courses on complicated programmes such as Reason (perfect for anyone wanting to make Drum and Bass, Dance and so on) and Cubase - but all for beginners with basic start out requirements. Whilst I've not attended the courses, they're definitely on the 'to do' list... This is just another fabulous example of the creativity and generosity of the community we have here in Leeds.

One of the many things I've come to love about Yelp is the very fact that you get to find out about…read moreother things and events and business that you may otherwise not have known about had you not been browsing around. Cloth Cat Studios is one of those things, and Yelp is to thank for my discovery. Thank you Yelp. And Thank you Danni for Yelping. Had you not Yelped than I would have never known. I know other people had Yelped before hand, but I hadn't seen it until it came up with the most recent, so it's good to keep it fresh and such. Anyway I'm babbling away from my point. Cloth Cat Studios is an awesome not for profit social enterprise, based in Leeds, assisting those from low incomes, and general young people who want to get into musical learnings, do so through a serious of courses and opportunities for employment, helping to get work experience or internships and such. Some of the courses are brilliant, and really useful for the music industry, not just the trite that gives you a brief run down or overview, but actual useful information, such as a foundation to beginning your own record label, introduction to DJ-ing, Song writing, Guitar for beginners, which is a god send for all those paying out £20 plus for lessons, Cubase, Live sound engineering, and other programmes that get added on to the schedule throughout the year. Fabulous. Courses differ in duration, but on average run for ten weeks, with two hour sessions once a week. And all of this is free to attend. Brilliant!

Having lived in Leeds for quite a number of years now, I am ashamed to admit that I only recently…read morewent to the Cardigan centre for the first time. Set up in the late '80's to house small businesses and as a general space for the community to have meetings and such, it employs around 30 members of staff who run it. Rooms are available to hire our at an hourly rate. The rooms are simple, with enough chairs to host 40 people, a white board and a sink. They charge anywhere between 9 and 14 pounds, depending on whether you are using the room for community of business based events.

St George's Crypt has been working with disadvantaged, homeless, and vulnerable people of the Leeds…read morecommunity since the 1930s. St George's Crypt offers a massive range of services from the very basic level needs of giving food and shelter to those most vulnerable and in need to developing organisations which work on confidence building, skills training and allowing people to begin to support themselves again and integrate back into society. There are many partners to St George's for funding, skills training and project steering groups. The diverse range of services provided by St George's gives a holistic approach to helping others rather than just temporary help then passing the buck and finding no solution to problems.

I spent just 4 hours at St George's Crypt and quickly got a sense of how important a place it is…read morefor so many people in Leeds. It is a community, it is a support mechanism, it is a temporary home and it is a hot meal for anyone who wants one. St George's Crypt is about making people's lives better and giving them the opportunity to do it for themselves, giving people a purpose to get out of bed and not do the types of things that cause you harm. Everyone was friendly - from staff, to volunteers from the prison, to ex prisoners in full time employment, to clients using the facilities. I felt safe and as though they appreciated the help that anyone and everyone can offer. If you want to help out and support such a useful place in Leeds go get in touch and do anything to help them!

Though relatively small, this charity shops makes the most of the space, making use of every nook…read moreand cranny to store a wide range of quality products. The shop is well lit and the products appear more varied and interesting than in most charity shops. They have a wide selection of shoes neatly displayed and a large range of quality handbags. They are also very well stocked for trousers and jeans and sell a range of new jewellery that is brightly-coloured, chunky and fun. I bought one of my favourite dresses here a while ago for £9.00 when they used to have an interesting vintagey section at the back with corresponding higher prices...but this section appears to have vanished - I wish they would bring it back! Overall this British Heart Foundation is a quality charity shop and well worth a visit!

There is something about charity shops that makes me feel good. I'm not sure whether it's the…read morebargains, or the pleasure in seeing stuff being given a new life, it might be just that it enables me to feel good about myself..... BHF is one of my regular charities so i try to call in and have a browse rarely leaving without treasure, this branch always has a good selection and the staff seem very pleasant.

A social enterprise developed with the idea of creating opportunities of training and employment…read morefor homeless people and those who are vulnerable and/or marginalised. Create offers a workplace to develop businesses from such business have varied from cafes and retail to housekeeping. Create work in conjunction with the Probation Service and FareShare (an organisation seeking to redistribute surplus food from producers and retailers to people and areas in need). It seems like create hit almost all ethical stand points from environmental to social issues and join them together as they should be seen rather than stand alone issues.

This place is amazing!…read more I have a bike which I regularly take down to service. They have the tools and the expertise and will guide you as much or as little as you need when repairing anythign on your bike. What an amazing idea. They ask that non-members donate between £2 and £10 based on how much help you've had, plus they have spare parts to sell you (lots of secondhand components, and they're not for profit so everything is extremely reasonable). Really well kitted out and nice, welcoming volunteers :)

From the owner: At Pedallers' Arms you can repair your bicycle. We have tools, new & second-hand bike parts & a…read moreworkshop you can use. It is a volunteer run, diy space where we support you to lean cycle maintenance.