Our Stories:
Meet Leona

“I’ve been coming to Hyde Park Source for 6 years. I was seeing a psychologist and he came up with this idea to get involved with this organisation because I wasn’t very well. I’d talked to him about my nan and my nan used to grow things in the garden and I loved it. But I were little then. He asked me to make commitment to come here. I believed every word this guy told me because I really trusted him so I went, ‘Yeah, OK then’! 

I’d never gardened in my life and I still can’t tell the weeds from the flowers and I’ve been coming for six years. I just love it. I do simple jobs like weeding and digging and shoveling horse manure and getting mucky.  

I thank that guy for what he’s done for me because when I got involved with Hyde Park Source, I just thought they were wonderful. Especially with being alone, I just thought I want to be part of it.  

So, I just got involved! They put a festival on at Woodhouse and I went with my grandkids. I didn’t want to come home. We had an absolute ball. I danced my little heart out I did!  My grandkids were encouraging me to dance and enjoy myself which was a lovely change to my sons’ reaction at their age. 

It keeps me going, keeps me healthy, and it’s saved my life. Seriously, I mean that.” 

Hyde Park Source work with local communities to improve their surroundings, designing and creating attractive, exciting, safe and useful places for people to live, work and play. Their activities help to improve people’s health and wellbeing, skills and knowledge, and connection with their communities. They’ve received a range of funding from Leeds Community Foundation, including grants for children’s holiday activities and the organisation’s strategic development.  

If you want to play your part in supporting brilliant local Community Organisations like Hyde Park Source, learn how you can support us, or reach out at info@leedscf.org.uk.