Hello 
We are 3 brothers (Nick 12, James 8 and Ben 5), that want to try and make a difference during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Our mum works with older people at OPAL. OPAL is currently operating as a support centre for older people living in the LS16 area, struggling through the lockdown period. The staff, alongside a dedicated team of volunteers, are delivering home cooked meals, shopping and providing phone support, information and resources for anyone that needs help. 

We have decided to set ourselves the challenge of completing the Tour de Yorkshire by cycling, running and walking the distance - a total of 305 miles. We will be adding up the miles we complete during our daily exercise. 

It'd be amazing if you could sponsor us, so we can help OPAL carry on doing their invaluable work in the community. Thank you so much, and please stay safe. 

Nick, James and Ben  

Watch their short video here

Brilliant effort, thank you boys.

Any funds raised by Nick, James and Ben will go directly to our COVID-19 Support project.

 Please support them by clicking here - every penny counts.

 Thank you x

The Easter bunny paid an early visit to us at Welcome In Community Centre today. Easter eggs and Easter Boppers for staff working on Good Friday & Easter Monday supporting people through the Coronavirus lockdown.

OPAL have had to shut the Welcome In Community Centre & Cafe, cancel all room hires and cancel all our activities which means our income is stripped right back.

Despite this, we are
- delivering hot meals 3 times a week to older/vulnerable people,
- delivering emergency packs,
- coordinating a phone buddy scheme, a shopping buddy scheme and jigsaw/book delivery.
- providing emotional support to isolated people who are struggling.
- picking up and delivering prescriptions.

Please help

You can make a donation to OPAL by cheque, bank transfer or by our Localgiving page.

Please make cheques payable to OPAL and post to OPAL, The Welcome In Community Centre, 55 Bedford Drive, Leeds LS16 6DJ. 

By bank transfer a donation can be made to sort code 53 70 00 and account number 24503274 

If you would like to discuss your donation, then please contact Ailsa on 0113 261 9103.

Click here for our Localgiving page which gives the option to make a one-off or regular donation and this could be done anonymously if you prefer.

Please support us and will will make sure every penny counts.

Thank you x

LEEDS16 is AMAZING!!!
There are so many people, businesses, groups and agencies stepping up to provide help to people who need it. It's a scary time for us all but WOW! what an amazing community.

Here's a snapshot of what OPAL have been up to in just 1 week:
-Partnerships formed with St Paul's Church, St John's Church, Adel and Cookridge Methodist Church.
-Partnership formed with VAL Doing Good Leeds.
-12000+ leaflets delivered & 1000+ phone calls made.

-85 people supported with information, emotional support, shopping, emergency food/hygiene packs

-Phone Buddy scheme set up for 600+ older people
-Soup delivered to 30 older people - thanks to Keepers Cafe for making the soup and to St Paul's volunteers and Alex Sobel MP for delivering.
-30 hot meals delivered to older people - more deliveries this week. Thank you to OPAL volunteers for helping with this.
-6 out of 10 staff set up to work remotely from home
-Linked in to Bramhope Coronavirus Support Group making referrals to them and their many fabulous volunteers.
-Information letter sent to 700 OPAL members
-contact details of 180 volunteers came through from Doing Good Leeds this afternoon. If this includes you, we will be in touch but please bear with us as it may take a few days to reach everyone.