The Cross Gates & District Good Neighbours’ Scheme has a lot to offer for the over 60’s living in the area. The scheme aims to reduce loneliness, support independence and promote healthy lifestyles. They have a full weekly timetable of activities which include computer lessons, walking, dancing, arts and crafts and luncheon clubs. The activities are all available for a nominal charge, and they often run special events too.
Recently, love was in the air when 40 regulars at the Drop-in Coffee morning enjoyed a Valentine’s special. There was a raffle, which parliamentary candidate Richard Burgon and Cllr. Pauline Grahame kindly helped with and Stephanie Davis, Community Curator at Lotherton Hall attended with some love tokens from a bygone age to share. These included poems and letters and a family memento album –which people enjoyed. This was Stephanie’s third visit to the groups with different items of interest from the Gascoigne family and they are looking forward to a tour of Lotherton Hall in the summer when the new lift will make all of the exhibition accessible to the members. The 1950s exhibition including the modern conveniences that revolutionised housework will feel like living history for many of them and promote lots of discussion about the time they saved!
Another recent benefit that members received were the wonderful Well Being packs. These included a flask and fleece to keep warm, as well as a selection of tinned and packet food for the store cupboard and some useful information on eating well and keeping fit.
The scheme worked hard to ensure that the hundred they received this year went to people who hadn’t received one last year, starting with the oldest members. They telephoned 300 of the 500 or so people who receive the quarterly newsletter but don’t go to the weekly groups on a regular basis and most people seemed pleased to be asked even if they declined because they felt someone else could benefit more. Luckily the volunteer drivers and Charley Mills on placement for six weeks from Trinity University Leeds rose to the challenge and saw them all delivered safely to the people they were allocated to. Several people called to say how nice it was to be given something and comment on the quality of the contents of the packs.
As well as the activity programme, events and benefits that members receive such as the one above, the scheme is available for advice and support on a wide variety of issues from getting help with cleaning and gardening to adaptations and assistance with form filling.
Other vital services are a befriending service for people who are housebound, and a monthly dementia support group.
All of these services are delivered by volunteers, and there are always opportunities available in roles such as driving, befriending, dementia support and group support workers.
If you are over 60 and have difficulty getting out and about, telephone Cross Gates & District Good Neighbours’ Scheme on 0113 260 6565 and they will send one of their workers out to visit and see if they can do anything to help. So don’t sit alone at home, take that first step and call in, so many people have and now enjoy a week with more to look forward to in it!
If you are out of their area they can give you the contact details of your nearest neighbourhood network Scheme as there are 37 groups supported by Leeds City Council across the City.
