Leeds Star Newspaper

Lord Mayor of Leeds to Host Festive Fundraiser to Support Community Equality. The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, is preparing to host a special festive fundraiser in support of the Leeds Community Foundation. Since aligning with Leeds Community Foundation in May, Councillor Katung has been actively working to enhance public understanding of the foundation’s crucial role. Leeds Community Foundation stands as a pivotal force in fostering community development and equity across Leeds. As an independent grant-making entity, the Foundation excels in bringing together various organizations and individuals to channel investments into local communities, aiming to build a more inclusive and fair society. The Lord Mayor's Festive Ball is more than just a social event; it is a celebration of the spirit of Leeds — a city united by a commitment to kindness and community support. It presents an excellent opportunity for the people of Leeds to come together, celebrate the festive season, and make a lasting impact on their community https://lnkd.in/g6skGWi2 #LordMayorofLeeds #FestiveBall2024 #Christmas #LeedsCommunityFoundation #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #LeedsCityCouncil #VisitLeeds #Leeds

Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice’s Christmas Fair Promises Festive Fundraising Fun in Leeds. Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice’s Christmas Fair will bring Festive Fundraising Fun to Leeds next month. Visitors can look forward to a winter wonderland of stalls offering handmade crafts, Christmas decorations, and unique gifts, perfect for stocking fillers and secret Santa surprises. Local artisans and businesses will be showcasing their products, giving attendees the chance to support local craftspeople while finding that perfect holiday gift. The fair will not only be a shopper’s paradise but will also feature a variety of entertainment. Carol singers will fill the air with classic holiday tunes, creating a merry atmosphere. Children will have the opportunity to meet Santa Claus in his grotto, making the event a magical experience for the younger guests. Everyone in and around Leeds is invited to St Chad’s Parish Centre on Saturday 7 December, as Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice brings back its Christmas Fair — a festive event for all ages and an opportunity to support the charity. With free of charge entry, the Christmas Fair offers crafts and creative activities, live music, festive fundraising stalls, and much more https://lnkd.in/gRSU6bi2 #SueRyderWheatfieldsHospice #ChristmasFair #Christmas #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #VisitLeeds #Leeds

Middleton Park Lodge Nursing Home Spreads Joy on World Kindness Day. Middleton Park Lodge Nursing Home marked World Kindness Day with a heartwarming initiative, setting out to spread positivity and kindness throughout their local community. The dedicated staff organized numerous activities and gestures of goodwill to brighten the day of both residents and neighbors alike. Middleton Park Lodge, a member of the Orchard Care Homes group which manages 23 facilities across the Midlands and North of England, celebrated World Kindness Day with enthusiasm and a commitment to community goodwill. Originating in 1998, World Kindness Day was created by the World Kindness Movement to emphasize the importance of good deeds and the universal value of kindness. To all the wonderful residents of Middleton Park Lodge Nursing Home: May your days be brightened by the love and kindness that surround you, and may your hearts always feel the warmth of connection and care. We would like to wish you moments of joy and laughter, memories that bring smiles, and peace that fills your soul. May each day bring new reasons to celebrate the beauty of life, and may you always know how deeply valued and loved you are https://lnkd.in/ghpEKZ9e #WorldKindnessDay #MiddletonParkLodgeNursingHome #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #VisitLeeds #Leeds

Progress Update on Leeds’s Health and Housing Programme. Leeds continues to make strides in its innovative Health and Housing Programme, aimed at boosting public health through improvements in housing conditions. This programme, integral to addressing health disparities in the city, has made notable progress in various initiatives over the past year. One of the standout projects within the programme is the weatherproofing scheme. This initiative, funded by Leeds City Council and delivered by Care and Repair Leeds, has significantly improved living conditions for the city’s most vulnerable residents. By targeting homes privately owned by individuals with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or the elderly, the scheme has upgraded 45 properties in 2023/24 with plans to enhance 55 more by March 2025. The improvements in heating and insulation have led to reduced energy costs and markedly better physical and mental health outcomes for the occupants. As the Leeds Health and Housing Programme progresses, it consistently showcases the significant benefits of integrating health and housing strategies on the overall well-being of its residents. This initiative is paving the path towards a healthier and more equitable city, demonstrating the crucial link between quality housing and improved public health outcomes https://lnkd.in/gN9f_PVa #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #VisitLeeds #Leeds

White Rose Express Christmas Grotto Makes Festive Return to Shopping Centre. The festive season has kicked off at White Rose Shopping Centre with the return of the beloved ‘White Rose Express’ Christmas grotto this weekend. The center is now adorned with steam train-themed decorations, creating a magical Christmas atmosphere. Upon entering the centre, visitors are instantly drawn into the festive spirit, guided by an enchanted train track that leads to Santa Claus waiting in a vintage train carriage. This unique experience will be available every day until Christmas Eve. The holiday excitement extends across White Rose with carnival rides located in The Village, suitable for children aged three to ten. The attractions include tea cups, monster trucks, and bungee trampolines, with rides priced at £3 per child, accepting only card payments. Moreover, the holiday festivities at White Rose will be further enhanced by the return of its family-friendly ice rink starting November 21st. This year, the ice rink is in partnership with JD, which coincides with the grand opening of its larger, upgraded store in the shopping centre https://lnkd.in/gY4xiC4c #WhiteRoseShoppingCentre #WhiteRoseExpress #Christmas #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #Leeds

#LeedsCelebrates 2024 #Olympians and #Paralympians with #GrandCivicReception. #Leeds celebrated its local #Heroes of the 2024 #OlympicsGames and #ParalympicsGames with a special civic reception. The event, aimed at recognizing the remarkable achievements of competitors from #Leeds and the wider #WestYorkshire area on the international sports stage in #Paris2024, was held in the banqueting suite of #LeedsCivicHall. The reception saw the presence of distinguished athletes such as #HannahCockroft, #GuillaumeJuniorAtangana, and #DonardNdimNyamjua; gymnasts #HarryHepworth and #LukeWhitehouse; and divers #LoisToulson, #JackLaugher, #AnthonyHarding, and #YonaKnightWisdom. These athletes shared captivating stories from their experiences at the #Games during interviews conducted by sports commentator and former international gymnast #LisaGannon, delighting the audience of 100 invited guests. The #LordMayorofLeeds, #CouncillorAbigailMarshallKatung, warmly welcomed the attendees to the event, which was organized by #LeedsCityCouncil and supported by the #WestYorkshireCombinedAuthority. Congratulations to all the #LeedsHeroes of the #Paris2024 Olympics and Paralympics! Your hard work, dedication, and spirit have not only brought pride to our city but have also inspired countless individuals both at home and around the world. Your remarkable achievements reflect the strength and resilience that characterize #Leeds and its people. We are incredibly proud of each one of you for representing our community on such a prestigious global stage. Here’s to your continued success and to the lasting impact of your accomplishments https://lnkd.in/ggnviWhr #OlympicsGames #ParalympicsGames #Paris2024 #TeamGB #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #LeedsCityCouncil #VisitLeeds #Leeds

#RoyalBritishLegion Commends #LeedsCityCouncil for #SupportingVeterans. #LeedsCityCouncil Aligns Military Compensation with Civilian Awards in Benefits Assessment. The #RoyalBritishLegion (#RBL) has expressed gratitude towards #LeedsCityCouncil for fully embracing the recommendations of its ‘#CreditTheirService’ campaign by no longer counting military compensation as income in benefits calculations. Initiated last year, the #RBL’s ‘#CreditTheirService’ campaign advocates for military compensation to be excluded from income assessments during welfare benefits means testing, aligning it with civil compensations like those for personal injury or medical negligence, which are already exempt. Historically, 80% of local authorities in the #UK have considered #MilitaryCompensation as income when determining eligibility for various benefits, including #HousingBenefit, #CouncilTaxSupport, #DisabilityFacilitiesGrants, and #DiscretionaryHousingPayments. Although #LeedsCityCouncil had previously excluded military compensation from consideration for #HousingBenefit, #CouncilTaxSupport/Reduction, and #DisabledFacilitiesGrants, a recent review has extended this exemption to include #DiscretionaryHousingPayments, effective immediately. The #RoyalBritishLegion also engages in educational outreach to ensure future generations understand the importance of remembrance and the realities of military service. This involves visiting schools, organizing events, and providing educational materials that teach the values of service and sacrifice https://lnkd.in/gMYkWa5f #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #LeedsCityCouncil #VisitLeeds #Leeds

Council Leaders Rally for Immediate Approval and Acceleration of New #LeedsHospitalPlans Ahead of #BudgetAnnouncement. Council leaders are poised to express their strong and unyielding endorsement for a proposed new hospital in #Leeds, urging the #Government to fast-track approval and expedite the process ahead of the forthcoming budget announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer this October. A critical report will be presented to the #ExecutiveBoard of #LeedsCityCouncil, emphasizing the importance of the #LeedsTeachingHospitalTrust’s (#LTHT) initiative to establish a new facility for the children’s hospital. This includes one of the UK’s largest centralized maternity centers and a new hospital for adults. The report underscores the significant economic benefits anticipated from the project, including the creation of 4,000 new jobs, the development of 1,000 new homes, and an estimated £13 billion in economic impact. These developments aim to position #Leeds as a premier hub for health research, technology, and digital innovation on both a local and global scale, enhancing clinical investment and academic leadership significantly. #LeedsChildrensHospital not only stands as a pillar of medical excellence but also symbolizes the community’s dedication to nurturing the health and well-being of its children. Through ongoing investments in healthcare infrastructure and research, the hospital continues to set benchmarks in pediatric care, ensuring that every child in #Leeds has access to the best possible medical treatment https://lnkd.in/g5B567bS #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #LeedsCityCouncil #VisitLeeds #Leeds

#WestYorkshireCombinedAuthority Named Official Destination Partner for #UKREiiF 2025. The UK’s #RealEstateInvestmentandInfrastructureForum #UKREiiF has designated the #WestYorkshireCombinedAuthority as the official Destination Partner for its upcoming annual event, scheduled from May 20th to 22nd, 2025, in #Leeds. In its capacity as the #DestinationPartner, the #WestYorkshireCombinedAuthority will play a key role at #UKREiiF. The authority will operate from a strategically located pavilion at the core of the event. This central position will facilitate a host of activities including panel discussions, meetings, and various interactive sessions throughout the three-day forum, ensuring #WestYorkshire’s prominent presence and active participation. The #UKRealEstateInvestmentandInfrastructureForum is an influential annual event that has rapidly become a cornerstone for professionals in the real estate and infrastructure sectors. Aimed at fostering growth and innovation, #UKREiiF serves as a dynamic platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and showcasing new developments in the industry. #UKREiiF brings together stakeholders from across the real estate, investment, and infrastructure landscapes to discuss current challenges and opportunities. The forum is designed to connect private sector investors, developers, and property professionals with public sector authorities, policy-makers, and civic leaders. The goal is to bridge the gap between these sectors, facilitating meaningful discussions that lead to tangible investments and collaborative projects https://lnkd.in/g7iT28_r #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #LeedsCityCouncil #VisitLeeds #Leeds

#HomeBargains Launches New #LeedsStore at #CentralWestRetailPark with £2 Million Investment. #HomeBargains, a leading family-owned retailer in the #UK, has further cemented its presence in #Leeds with the opening of a new store, dubbed ‘#Leeds2,’ located at #CentralWestRetailPark, #StanningleyRoad, #Armley. As a prominent family-run retailer in the #UK, #HomeBargains is significantly contributing to local employment by creating 55 new jobs with this expansion. The ‘#Leeds2’ store will serve as a complement to the existing #Leeds store and is part of the retailer’s network of over 600 outlets nationwide. Despite prevailing industry trends, #HomeBargains continues to expand robustly, opening around 50 stores annually. #HomeBargains is known for its commitment to the communities it serves. The new store in #Leeds will engage in various community-oriented initiatives, from sponsoring local events to supporting charities that make a difference in the Leeds area. This approach not only helps in building strong community ties but also reinforces the company’s ethos of giving back. The opening of the ‘#Leeds2’ store is a milestone for #HomeBargains in its mission to provide value to customers while playing a pivotal role in community development. With its wide array of products and community focus, the new store is set to become a favored shopping destination in Leeds https://lnkd.in/gUgCR5rZ #LeedsNews #LeedsStar #LeedsStarNewspaper #LeedsCityCouncil #VisitLeeds #Leeds