Our Stories:
Meet Rita

“I think I was about 3 when I came to live in Leeds. And strangely enough, in a square mile. I’ve moved in a square mile in 90 plus years. I worked in Burtons. I started when I was 14, in 1942, and I got 19 shillings wage for five and a half days. So that’s 90 pence in today’s money. I was 14 on the 1st of January and then started working on the 5th of January. And I’ve worked all my life. I’ve got 2 sons, and they’re lovely. I’ve got 4 grandchildren, and I’ve got 11 great-grandchildren. 

I’ve been coming here for 10 years. I come on Wednesday for the Lunch Club. I used to do sequence dancing but my legs are a bit wobbly now. As long as I’ve got somebody to hold me, I’m all right. I don’t do sequence and I don’t do line dancing because with that you’re on your own. 

When this all started up again we all flocked to it, for company. Because when you’re sat looking at four walls for 2 years, it gets you down. I have 2 sons. They’re very good and they take me around. But during the lockdown I got sick of hearing ‘no mother, we can’t do that’. Coming here gets you out of the house. It’s really lovely.” 

Burmantofts Community Friends support older people in the community. Their activities include lunch clubs, friendship groups and fitness&health sessions. They’ve received a range of funding from Leeds Community Foundation, including grants for their lunch club and the organisation’s strategic development.  

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