Ideas that Change Lives 2023

The Ideas that Change Lives programme offers business guidance and financial investment to help organisations and individuals develop socially enterprising ideas. Run in partnership with Leeds City Council and See Ahead, the programme supports ideas that help people in Leeds with care and support needs to improve their health and wellbeing and remain independent. 

In the latest round in 2023, almost £40,000 was invested in 6 Community Organisations in Leeds. The organisations that were awarded funding are: 

• • • • Brave Words CIC 
      • Getting Clean CIC 
      • Inspired-Nation CIC 
      • Living Potential Care Farming CIC 
      • Taking Baby Steps CIC 
      • The Conservation Volunteers 

The funded activities include 

• • • • Researching, developing and launching a permanent drama, arts and wellbeing provision for young adults with learning disabilities. 
      • Developing and expanding ‘Apple Days’ for adults with learning disabilities, to increase production of apple juice and apple trees to sell locally. 
      • Developing paid-for training workshops for adults living with mental health problems, featuring a wide curriculum of woodwork, natural crafts, food growing, food processing, wildlife gardening and outdoor wellbeing. 

Throughout the period of their grants, organisations will receive specialist advice from experienced social enterprise professionals at See Ahead to support them to develop their business ideas and work towards sustainability. 

Since the Ideas that Change Lives programme began in 2014, more than £800,000 has been invested in Leeds Community Organisations and more than 6,500 people have been supported by the funded activities. 

For more information on grants awarded, visit the What We’ve Funded page.