Health For All

My name is Chris and I live in Beeston. I regularly visited the HFA Bridge Watsonia Cafe in Cross Flatts Park with my family. I have a mild learning disability and when I was in the cafe I realised that some of the staff also had learning disabilities. I could see how much the trainees enjoyed their work and I really wanted to get involved. I was really happy to become part of the workforce at the Cafe and started my trainee position for one day a week in early 2024. Being part of the team and meeting members of my community whilst in my place of work makes me feel proud. I learn new skills and grow in confidence every day. When I arrive at work and put on my uniform, I feel so proud. I have learned so much about the HFA Bridge Learning Disability service. I am hoping to attend that too, as I hear about the great activities there I would like to try. The Bridge Cafe

My name is Hibaq. I moved with my four young children into temporary accommodation in Middleton in November 2023. We come from Somalia. I was unfamiliar with the area and socially isolated, knowing no one. I happened to walk past Middleton Family centre one day and called in to see what services and support might be available. I was so happy to discover a variety of social groups and an affordable food pantry. My children attended the Healthy Holidays scheme run by Health for All and loved the events and activities. My sons Abrahman 7, Mustafa 6 and Jibril 5 particularly enjoyed a visit from an animal sanctuary at Tenants Hall where they had the opportunity to cuddle a rat and stroke a tarantula spider, while Rahma preferred the Messy Play and arts and crafts at Middleton Family centre. As well as enjoying all the activities, they loved the new friendships they have made. My family now feel more connected with the community and appreciate the support that staff at HFA have given us. I am now working towards my dream of becoming a midwife and look forward to joining the Be Yourself women’s group.” Healthy Holidays

My name is Sarah. My baby is called Zangi. I am a Bosom Buddy for the Chapeltown group. I feel lucky to have had amazing NHS support, as well as peer support, plus an army of feeding mums and friends helping me work out how best to feed my baby. I needed to know I could stop in order to keep going. I became a volunteer peer supporter because I deeply believe in more support for all parents regardless of how we feed our children! Breastfeeding’s been hard at times, with the litany of mutual health issues we had for the first few months, and my own ongoing disability. But I also LOVE it now. Nursing in a wheelchair out and about feels somehow radical because it’s not as much a documented experience. At times I struggle with the combined hypervisibility of wheelchair use AND breastfeeding. I can also struggle with the isolation of dealing with pain and other physical challenges alone at home. Breastfeeding can be difficult in those times, but it’s also a wonderful source of connection for me and my baby when I’m sad about not being able to chase him round or help him expand his physical world  Leeds Bosom Buddies

My name is Annie. I am 9 years old. I like going to Girls Together group in Swarcliffe because we get to choose different activities each week like playing outside and doing different sports, which I really enjoy. It makes the time go so fast! We learn about how to be safe when we play out on the street. The staff bring different arts and crafts activities, which I enjoy doing because we can make things to take home. The group has helped me make new friends and build my confidence and we like to welcome new girls to join the group. The staff are all really nice, friendly and funny which makes it even better. Having Girls Group on a Tuesday gives me something to look forward to because it means I’m not sat in my bedroom or just playing out in the street. I get to spend time with my friends and have fun.”  Girls Together

My name is Ranjit. I live in Beeston. Over time, my health began to deteriorate, and I struggled with a lack of confidence, anxiety, and mental health issues. Ballly, the manager at Beeston Village centre, invited me to the Beetey Din group, encouraging me to attend the weekly meetings to help address these challenges. Since joining the group, my confidence has grown, and my mental health has significantly improved. The group has given me the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures, which has boosted my confidence. Engaging with such a diverse group of people has been incredibly uplifting and inspiring. Recently, I’ve started helping in the kitchen, which has been a wonderful experience. This role has given me a sense of purpose and fulfilment, and I’m feeling much better overall. I now have a part time job with another charity. Health for All has truly made a positive impact on my life, and I’m grateful for the support and opportunities it has provided for me.” Beetey Din Group

My name is Susan. I have various issues with my health, leaving me feeling very frustrated with my body. My mental health has really suffered. In 2021, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), a long term condition causing pain all over my body. Last year, I was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) so I have trouble breathing. I also have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) in my wrists, inflammation in my knees, asthma and I’m pre-diabetic. It’s all extremely exhausting and very debilitating. Although advised to walk, my mobility issues made me uncomfortable joining a walking group right away, so I chose one on one walks with Gayle, thinking group walks would be too much. I walk with a crutch, so being able to just take my time and enjoy our chats is really valuable to me. We really put the world to rights when we meet and I always look forward to them and feel healthier. I go at my own pace, enjoying the fresh air whilst saying hello to people in my community along the way. I now attend a group exercise class. It’s true what they say: taking small steps literally does make a huge difference!” Walk It, Ride It

My name is Mojuda Khatun, I am 66 years old and live in Beeston, Leeds. I came to England in 1977 from Bangladesh. I have 8 grown up children and 22 grandkids. I have many health problems including diabetes, arthritis, cholesterol, onset dementia, hearing problems, the list goes on! I take 25 items of medication. What helps me get through the week is looking forward to attending the Kushy Nannas (Happy Grandmas) group. It is the highlight of my week! I cannot exercise with my swollen legs, however seeing the other ladies at the group motivates me to join in the gentle chair based exercise. I love seeing the other ladies in the group; we laugh and talk about our memories of the past and funny stories of the present! We share our health concerns together as most of us have lost our husbands. The group is a lovely space for me to be myself. I feel younger when I come. I walk away feeling that my problems have got lighter because I have talked about them. Kushy Nanas is the only group I attend all week and I absolutely love it. It makes my life so rich!  Kushy Nanas

My name is Barathy Matheesvaran, and my journey with Health for All has changed my life. As a volunteer, I help with the Beetey Din group for the elderly and attend the Happy Global Families group. Since joining, I’ve significantly improved my English and communication skills, which has greatly boosted my self-confidence. Being part of this community has helped me to meet new people and make many friends. I’ve had the opportunity to learn a variety of new skills, from crafting and sewing to dancing, exercise, and yoga. Each new person I meet introduces me to different cultures and foods, enriching my understanding of the world. The staff and members of Health for All are incredibly friendly and supportive, making my experience even more rewarding. I am proud to be a part of this organization and to contribute to its mission. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities Health for All has given me, and I look forward to continuing to provide my support in future activities.”  Better Together

My name is Wini, and my journey from Hong Kong to Leeds began two years ago. When I first arrived, I sought ways to improve my English and connect with others, which led me to join the Health for All Hong Konger group at the Beeston Village Community Centre. Little did I know that this decision would bring incredible positive energy and support into my life. Through this community, I’ve made lasting friendships and gained a deeper understanding of diverse cultures, which has helped me adapt to life in the UK. The support I’ve received has not only improved my language skills but also my understanding of cultural perspective. Getting involved with the Hongkongers Next Stop Cafe and other community groups has been a rewarding experience, filling me with a strong sense of belonging. The warmth and acceptance I’ve encountered have made my transition to the UK much smoother. As I look to the future, I’m eager to give back to this wonderful community. I want to support other newcomers as they adapt to life in the UK, sharing the knowledge and encouragement I’ve received. My hope is that every Hongkonger can find the same happiness and fulfilment here that I have found.”  Hongkongers

My name is Ko Biu Wong. My journey with Health for All began five years ago when I started volunteering with Lychee Red Chinese Elders group. When I first arrived in the UK, I couldn’t speak English and felt very lonely. Discovering the Lychee Red group changed everything. It gave me a sense of belonging and connection that I desperately needed. Volunteering with the group gave me the confidence to apply for a caretaker job with Health for All. This allowed me to continue serving and giving back to the community. I’m deeply grateful to Health for All for providing me with equal opportunities despite my language barriers. Through my work with the charity, I’ve been able to grow, learn, and fully integrate into British society. Today, I work as a driver, delivering food for HFA Community Food Pantries and as a project worker for the Hongkongers group, helping others settle into life in the UK, just as I did. I am thankful for the support I’ve received from Health for All and my colleagues. It has been invaluable in my journey of service and integration. Lychee Red

My name is Adam I live in Middleton with my family. I started coming to The Bridge because I wasn’t enjoying college. I have been coming a long time. It makes me very happy. I was shy at first but have got a lot more confidence now and have made a lot of friends. The staff are great. There is always lots going on at The Bridge and I enjoy everything I do there: sport, cooking, dance and story telling group. I also help out with our Happy Snappy Photobooth at different events. I especially like all the art activities such as painting and making props for drama. Everybody says I am really good and I am very proud of what I can do. My work was in the Beyond Learning Disability Arts Festival 2018 in Leeds.

My name is Raheela Qureshi. Here is my Health for All journey. I came to this country in 2001, freshly married and very shy. After a few years and giving birth to my second child, I began to attend community groups run by Health for All. These helped me progress to become the person I am today. They provided me with mentors and the confidence to pursue qualifications, becoming a better person and carer. I work as a part-time carer, thoroughly enjoying it as the clients are brilliant to work with. The skills and confidence I gained led me to being Chair of Khushal Zindagi. Members enjoy learning new skills, healthy eating, socialising. Last year, I joined the HFA Enhance service as a support worker for the elderly, progressing from voluntary work with Health for All for more than 10 years on a number of different projects. I have consistently told my children about the importance of the charity especially since they grew up attending Health for All events! The help Health for All have given me over the last decade has been life changing for me and my family. Here’s to many, many more!”