A Look Back at Passion for Place

Last month we hosted our Passion for Place event at City Varieties Music Hall. With a fantastic panel of speakers, we explored the challenges people across Leeds are experiencing every day and how we can come together as a city to build stronger and thriving communities for all. The takeaway message was clear – we all have our part to play. 

Welcoming our guests to the event, host Christine Talbot shared the reality that many people are facing as a result of the cost-of-living crisis on top of austerity, cuts to public services and insecure employment. Almost a quarter of people in Leeds are living in poverty, and that figure is even higher for children, at 35%. Now more than ever, Community Organisations – the lifeblood of our communities – are needed to provide vital, daily support for people across the city. 

Our panel, Jon Beech (Leeds Asylum Seekers’ Support Network), Elizabeth Cottam (Home Restaurant), Kate Hainsworth (Leeds Community Foundation), Dee Reid (Leeds Beckett University) and Jason Pitter KC (New Park Court Chambers), shared their own perspectives and experiences of life in Leeds, and how they play their part in making Leeds a city of opportunity for all. 

Elizabeth spoke of her experience as a business owner in the city, reflecting on the impact of rising costs both for the business and for the people she employs. She noted the responsibility she feels as a leader to do what she can to support her team as well as the wider community. 

“As businesses and individuals, we benefit from the community being stronger. Even when things are hard, it’s still important to give what we can.” 

Jason told us about his life growing up in Leeds and the Community Organisations he visited as a young boy, where he found role models to look up to. 

“Growing up in Leeds, I benefited from youth organisations that provided role models and activities. Over the years I’ve seen how those organisations have struggled. Those are the organisations that Leeds Community Foundation seeks to support.” 

John, who plays key roles in various Community Organisations in the city, shared just how important their support can be for individuals. 

“Many people who find themselves in Leeds as asylum seekers are housed in hotels. Some still don’t have shoes and they’re living on £7 a week. A bus ticket into town will take most of their weekly budget.” 

Being able to access services from organisations like Leeds Asylum Seeker’s Support Network means that people can get the assistance they need to build their lives and communities here in Leeds. Without these organisations, people would be even worse off. 

Unfortunately, these challenges aren’t easy to fix. Dee shared insights from her varied experience of working in senior roles in local government, education, the NHS and the private sector. 

“Looking at the issues that children and young people are facing, many haven’t moved on. The same challenges around deprivation and child poverty still exist in Leeds years later.” 

While the challenges are broad, there is much that we can achieve when we work together. 

Kate shared with attendees how demand for services has increased, yet giving has decreased. It is understandable, given the current climate, that people are more cautious about spending their money, but the thing that’s needed most right now is cash. So that Community Organisations can keep their doors open, keep their staff, and keep delivering the vital, life-saving services that will help our communities to survive, and thrive. 

Kate’s closing remark reminded us of the impact of combined individual action – “Just by doing what you can, you’re contributing to the survival of us all.” 

If you want to play your part in making Leeds a city of opportunity for all, please get in touch to speak to our team about supporting the Foundation.