Over the last couple of years many of us have lost loved ones and been unable to grieve as we normally would. Touchstone is trying to learn how this has affected people around Leeds - we're offering an opportunity to share your experiences and help us understand how we can support our communities through this period. If you want to take part in this research then please take a few minutes
Black maternal health awareness week runs from 13-18th September 2021 and is dedicated to raising awareness about the disparities in maternal outcomes for Black women and birthing people. It was founded in 2020 by Five X More [footnote 1], “a grassroots organisation committed to changing Black women's maternal health. Black Women and birthing people in the UK are four times more likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth [footnote 2].
The Support Centre in Harehills holds a special place in the hearts of many staff and service users and members of the Harehills community. Built in 1902, it has been home to the Live Well Leeds Service since it began in 2019. Touchstone has been delivering services from the double fronted building for many years. Its past includes being a probation Hostel. The rendering has been renewed and new windows
Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of West Yorkshire has today officially launched the consultation to inform her first Police and Crime Plan. The Mayor is urging everyone in West Yorkshire to get involved and #TellTracy about your policing and community safety priorities. The consultation will feed directly into the new Plan which sets the strategic direction for West Yorkshire Police, community safety partners and commissioned services over the next three years.
At Touchstone, a Yorkshire based mental health and wellbeing charity that works in partnership with many other organisations, our first priority is always the results that we achieve with and for our service users. But to do this, we invest and commit to supporting our diverse and talented staff to reach their potential. That support has been recognised by Investors In People for the second time, who has awarded Touchstone
Touchstone is a mental health and wellbeing charity that specialises in eliminating health inequalities in underserved and marginalised communities, including Black African, Caribbean and South East Asian communities, refugees and asylum seekers, and LGBTQI+ groups across West and South Yorkshire. The Leeds-based charity not only delivers vital services to meet these groups’ mental health and wellbeing needs but uses its expertise to amplify the voices of vulnerable groups with service
"Live Well Leeds saved my life. My worker is very understanding and is always there when I need her." - Live Well Leeds Service User "I've used the café a lot during the pandemic. Struggling with physical disabilities, domestic abuse as well as isolation. I've had support with a lot of the workers throughout all nights. I can honestly say that you are life savers. I will be forever indebted
Touchstone’s Operations Director, Arfan Hanif, has been appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer following the departure of Alison Lowe. Arfan originally came to Touchstone on a temporary contract as a Community Development Worker in late 2012. He quickly demonstrated his leadership abilities and was recruited to the Senior Management Team just 9 months later. Arfan has over 25 years of senior leadership experience in the Public and Voluntary
Everyone has and are still going through their own Covid-19 pandemic journey. To support Sikh Elders Service Users the Team delivered over forty Wellbeing Kits during the month of April 2021. I could always sense the Service User’s loneliness and isolation during the regular phone calls I made to check up on their wellbeing. The same question “When are you opening up CDC sessions again?”, “When can we meet up
A mixture of remote and face-to-face events focusing on coproduction in Leeds, organised by the Leeds Coproduction Practitioners Network. Follow the link to view the programme and book tickets - Leeds Coproduction Conference 2021 Evolving Through Lockdown