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.

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.

It's a bit odd writing a review for a building that I never actually used during my student years,…read morewhich admittedly were some time ago, but having frequented the Union in recent years I thought I'd add my two penneth. (I was one of the old school chaps based at Bretton Hall back in the day.) For students, this is a fantastic hub. There are tons of spots to purchase lunch, coffees, and of course a beer or several, many of which being good quality. I've had my fair share of pasties and the like and have always managed to find something tasty to grab swiftly when in need. The refectory does the job nicely, but there's a small flurry of shops in another area where you can pick and choose from a number of other options. As well as that there are so many events that are housed in the space. Judy's Vintage Fair regularly make an appearance, and if you've not seen or heard of those guys you're missing a trick -they're a fantastic vintage fair company who hold regular lovely festivities, so keep an eye out! There's also the club nights, Wendy House and Rock Of Ages are two that I've enjoyed aplenty, with drink offers and all of that sort of gubbins. As a student, post-grad, mature student and even someone totally un-related to the University, it's a good place to check out. So, yes. I'm a fan. Beware though, it's quite labyrinthine.

Before I start I should state that this is just a review of Stylus, the club within LUU, rather…read morethan a review of the entire Union itself. Stylus is a massive venue inside the union, and plays host to big bands and DJ's fairly frequently, as well as providing students wit randomly themed nights such as silent discos and the like. The best thing about Stylus, however, is it's regular weekend nights - Fruity on Friday and the less frequent Wax On on Saturdays. While Wax On plays house music and all its siblings, Fruity is more of a free for all in terms of both music and actual events. Wax On often 'presents' big names in the DJ world - Simian Mobile Disco being the most recent example of this, and as such, prices are usually steeper than the £4 Fruity night. To me, Fruity is the perfect student night, and has been for many years, mainly because it keeps it simple - good music, good people, good cheap booze, and very few idiots - it's most definitely worth going, student or not.

Another BTCV set-up with an emphasis on education. The Skelton Grange Centre is designed as an…read moreeducation centre for children of all ages encompassing relevant areas of the curriculum and providing activities that enhance the learning experience and get children outside. Like its counterpart the centre works with volunteers as well as community groups and schools developing training sessions, playschemes and practical activities days all with sustainable development in mind. The building itself is a wonderful example of good planning. There is under floor heating (the most efficient way to heat a space), toilets are flushed using rainwater (not water that is suitable for drinking as is used in most buildings in the UK), extensive insulation keeps heat in whilst floor to ceiling windows allow for natural light to be let in as well as serving heating needs too. The full-life cycle of the building materials were researched so that even when the building comes to the end of its life most bits can be recycled. What a brilliant place to learn how we can develop in a more environmentally friendly way.

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!

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.

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.