Feel Good Factor, the health and wellbeing organisation is running weekly cafés for people living with long term conditions and their carers. These cafés are part of their Big Lottery Funded partnership project Healthy Lives, Healthy Homes (HLHH) which focuses on the increasing health needs of older Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) people in Chapeltown and Harehills, Leeds.
Held on Wednesdays from 11am (until 1.30pm) at the Oasis Café in Trinity United Church on Roundhay Road, and Thursdays from 11am (until 1.30pm) at Roscoe Methodist Church on Francis Street in Chapeltown, the Feel Good Cafés support older people who are living with long term conditions, including dementia, and their carers. The aim of the cafés is to bring everyone together in one place in friendship and support, to share experiences and ideas and take part in activities.
Hiesha Harvey, Healthy Lives Healthy Homes Peer Support & Activity Development Worker says, “Feel Good Factor wants to establish a positive space for the people we work with to congregate and benefit from – sharing their experiences in a supportive environment. Both cafés are such lovely and welcoming venues in the heart of the community and we were delighted they were happy to work with us to host our sessions. The Feel Good Cafés, in turn, give these venues additional custom and raises their profile as a hub and hive of activity. Particular thanks go to the Rev Mark Harwood, Grace Hickson and Mary Saddler of Roscoe Methodist Church and Trinity United Churchwho have helped us so much with this.”
Activities in the cafés include singing, arts and crafts, gentle exercise, information and advice. There will also be regular Dementia Friends sessions, and once a month a Memory Loss Support Worker will attend each café to provide information and support.Entry to the cafés is free and charges are £1.50 for a hot drink and biscuits and lunch for £5.
Hiesha continues, “We aim to build our membership at each Feel Good Caféso that both become a warm hug of activities and support for people who may, at times, feel isolated. Feel Good Cafés are user-led so they really do hit the spot, providing just what the customers want which iseffective and meaningful support for the community. We hope that, in time, other local organisations and agencies will join us at the cafés, helping to build an evenstronger community spirit and exchange of useful information.”
If you would like to attend either (or both) café please contact Hiesha Harvey on 0113 350 4200 or email hiesha@fgfleeds.org.
