Hi I am Matt Soanes

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I joined BCB in March 2020, around the time of the first Covid-19 lockdown.

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I was put in touch with Phil and Angela by local charity Barca

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I wanted to find a way to help my community through the pandemic – and BCB’s food distribution sessions and garden makeovers seemed like a good way to make a real difference.

I’ve met a lot of great people from Bramley/West Leeds and feel like its a positive way to use my spare time.

Hi My name is Michael Porter.

At the start of Lockdown 2020 I found myself with a lot of time on my hands and thought I'd volunteer with the council to see if I could be of help in any way.

The council put me in touch with the Bramley Care Bears and I haven't looked back.

The people here and the community we serve are such great people and it has become a pleasure to be involved.

Hi, I'm Rebecca.

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I joined the Bramley Care Bears in 2021.

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I was looking for a new challenge and a way to help others, and had realised that spending time being active outdoors is very beneficial to my own wellbeing.

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Bramley has been my home since 2006 so when I heard about the Bramley Care Bears gardening team via posts I had seen on facebook, it seemed the perfect opportunity for me to give something back to my local community.

I do a full-time desk job so taking a couple of hours out a week benefits both my physical and mental health. I always enjoy the company and enthusiasm of the other volunteers in the group and I have also learned some new skills.

It is so rewarding to see the difference we make to people in the area. I always come home from our sessions smiling!

Bio Description to follow.

Hi I’m Suzanne.

I joined BCB as a volunteer January 2022.

I visited the food bank to collect some food and asked if they needed any help.

I love volunteering and personally gain a lot from doing it, New friends, helping the local community and feeling that I am doing something worth while.

My daughter Holly who is 10 also volunteers with me when she can.

I also really enjoy meeting the people who come along to the food bank.

Hi I’m Holly.

I like to volunteer with my mum.

I’ve been volunteering since about February 2022.

I love volunteering because it’s fun and it’s helping other people x

Hi I'm Dovile.

I joined Bramley care bears in May 2022 to complete my volunteering section for Duke of Edinburgh.

I heard about Bramley care bears from a teacher in school she recommended this foodbank to help complete my Duke of Edinburgh.

I joined the Bramley care bears to complete my Duke of Edinburgh.

Whilst completing my Duke of Edinburgh I didn't really think about continuing to volunteer after I completed my Duke of Edinburgh, but I decided to stay once I completed my award, I stayed because I enjoy the company, I enjoy meeting new people and I really enjoy helping people.

What I get out of it, is that there are alot of people who need help and watching them to get help is just amazing.

I learn that no matter what state you are in you shouldn't be afraid to come forward and ask for help.

Bramley care bears is the place I recommend you to come and get help from us. Everyone in the care Bear community are so welcoming.

Bio Details to follow

Hi I'm Anne

I moved to Bramley in 2021 and being recently retired decided to use some of my spare time and energy to help the local community and get to know people at the same time.

I heard about Bramley Care Bears from a walking group run by Barca and all the wonderful work they were doing in the community.

I started in July 2021 and have never looked back.

I enjoy making a difference to the people who attend and enjoy the company of everyone there.

Its like being part of a family - give it a go !!

Dr Jackie Campbell  

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I moved to Headingley/Leeds in the late 90’s and worked in the technology industry for a number of years before moving to Leeds Beckett as a University lecturer where I now lead the Data Science courses.

I have a Doctorate in Education and enjoy teaching and learning at all levels.

As a STEM ambassador I visits many high schools in the region and work on projects with teachers and employers in the STEM area.  

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I work alongside Saadia and the others at the homework club.

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I like helping with maths, timestables or any other homework the children may have.

We work with the children at their own pace ensuring they understand and take pride in their work, through this we aim to promote number confidence, logic and problem solving skills.  

Hi my name is Paula, I am retired from work and am happy to support the Bramley Care Bears.

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I joined in March 2021 and I help with the Food Distribution Sessions and the Homework Club.

I enjoy gardening and walking. 

Bio Description to follow.

Hi all, My name is Barry and I have been volunteering with the Bramley Care Bears since August of 2021.

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I heard about the Bramley Care Bears through Barca Leeds.

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I decided to volunteer as I am pleased to help people and contribute to our community.

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I get the sense of enjoyment in helping people which is a great pleasure. 

Hi my name is Karl Dyson

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I have for some months been using the Care Bears Food Bank on Friday.

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I have recently been made aware of a Warm Space on Friday afternoons. Taking advantage of that I came to know Philip and Angela a bit and Philip asked me whether I might be interested in volunteering. This resulted in my first volunteering session being on Tuesday 31st January 2023.

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I was orginally alerted to the existence of the Care Bears by my counsellor at Linking Leeds, whose People's Voice Meetings I now attend as a former client.

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I am somebody who is happiest (or most comfortable) alone and with a steady supply of books to read. I have been on anti depression and anti anxiety medicine for several years and naturally retreat into an almost solo, insular world. 

Altruism is a great way to help one feel better about oneself. I needed to become more engaged with the world and if I can make friends (hopefully) and achieve something of a real benefit to our community. 

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Increased activity  in and around the company of others will undoubtedly be of benefit to my mental well being although this is counter to my inclination. Most important though is just how wonderful the Care Bears. Just lovely people who want the best for our area and community in which they live. To quote a well known hymn and casting myself in the loveless role. "Love to the loveless shown that they might lovely be"

Hi, My name is Lisa Skippy Burrows.

I joined BCB in July of 2021.

A friend of mine posted about it in Facebook.

The company I work for was looking to get back into the community to do some volunteering after covid.

A team from work joined one of the garden make overs and it was amazing the transformation we made in a short space of time, it was very rewarding.

I have also volunteered im my own time it's nice to get out & meet people while doing something good.

Hi, my name is Anzir,

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I used to provide home and home business IT support and have also taught computer skills to long term unemployed people in Leeds.

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I also design, make and program lighting for environmental arts organisation Immortal Bloom, and have begun building my own smart home devices.

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I have led children's craft and art-science workshops for a number of organisations including Leeds Libraries & Museums and Playful Anywhere; and have appeared at Leeds Science Festival as well as being part of the art, science and making collective The Superposition.

At the Learning Spaces, I help children with Maths and Science.

I live on the Broadleas and work for Climate Action Leeds, developing their City Plan; as well as volunteering with Leeds Disabled People's Organisation, Living Streets Leeds and The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport.

I joined Bramley CareBears as a volunteer during Covid, having been a supporter via my local Cllr role.

The group has made a crucial contribution to support people in the community I’m proud to represent.

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It has been really fulfilling to see the group develop partnership working with Third Sector Groups and the Council to improve the lives of people in Bramley.

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A particular highlight has been the friendships made with the other volunteers and seeing them grow in confidence and skills over the years.

I too have been a beneficiary learning new techniques, from the more experience garden makeover volunteers.

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I am so grateful to the volunteers for all the do, they have made an enormous positive difference in our community, with their care and commitment.

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Don’t hesitate to get involved, if you can spare a few hours, they are a friendly and welcoming group.

Best wishes

Kevin

"I started to volunteer for the Bramley Care Bears during the COVID Pandemic, helping with the food bank they run, which has provided help to many people and families from Bramley and beyond.

I have always supported the Care Bears as a local Bramley councillor, in the many activities they do, but volunteering really gave me an opportunity to meet and get to know the other volunteers well.

I have made friends, and learned so much about their lives and families it has been very enriching.

It has also been a pleasure to watch the Bramley Care Bears grow into a professional, well governed organisation which supports its members with training across a wide range of subjects and skills.

It has now taken on a huge amount of volunteering activities which has benefitted hundreds of people. 

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I became a volunteer, because local councillors are elected to support the communities they represent and make a difference to people's life experience, and that is exactly what the Bramley Care Bears do!"

I joined BCB in spring of last year (2022) when I was seeking to fulfil volunteering hours of my Nursing degree.

I heard about the group through Full Circle Funerals as I had previously done a placement there.

I decided I wanted to volunteer as it’s within my community and I wanted to make a difference to peoples livelihoods.

I find it personally fulfilling and an honour to provide for the local community, it’s very rewarding to see many people who are potentially struggling with the current climate get the help they deserve and need.

Hi, I am Tom Hinchcliffe.

I joined Bramley Care Bears as a volunteer in 2022 and currently support them in my role as local Councillor for Bramley and Stanningley.

The Care Bears make a huge difference to the lives of our most vulnerable. I have seen first-hand how the garden makeover and food distribution services have contributed to the wellbeing of so many people across our community.

I have always been in awe of the community spirit that ties Bramley together and the Care Bears have played a significant role in that – whether throughout the pandemic or the current cost of living crisis.

If you’re keen to help out in our community – at the food bank, garden makeovers or litter picking – joining the Bramley Care Bears if a fantastic way to do so. I’d like to thank all the volunteers who give up so much time to help everyone who needs it in Bramley.

Hi, my name is Jim Winn

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I live in Bramley looking after my elderly parents.  

I taught IT at Thomas Danby for twenty years and enjoy supporting local people.

Hi, my name is Tracy Paine.

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I have been a volunteer with bramley care bears for a year and i enjoy every minute helping other people and have made loads of friends i hope to carry on volunteering with the learning space

Hi I'm Nigel.

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I've been volunteering with Bramley Care Bears for about 9months now, primarily with the garden makeover group.

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Since joining the group I've made friends with other members of the group and have been pleased to be involved in some amazing garden makeovers.

I can certainly recommend that if you have some spare time you really can make a difference to people's lives through getting involved.

Hi my name is Ryan Taylor,

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I have been volunteering with the Bramley Care Bears since March of 2023.

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I volunteer with the Gardening team on Tuesdays and Thursday (weather dependent) and help out with looking after the Broadlea Community Centre on Fridays and Sundays, tending to the gardening and woodworking when needed.

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I also help out on Monday afternoons where we support some young people who are wishing to learn gardening and woodworking.

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I am happy recommend volunteering as it is a brilliant way of making a difference for our local area.

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Hello my name is Bella,

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i am 15 years old and i have recently joind the Bramley Care Bears learning space as part of my volunteering for my Duke of Edinburgh bronze  award that I need.

I have chosen to to join the Learning Spaces Sessions at Bramley Care Bears as I enjoy helping people especially with learning.

Hi, I am Dasha.

Recently I joined the BCB to help with food distribution on Sundays.
 

I know how it is to be in need and how important sometimes to feel the support from someone you barely know.

Therefore, I have joined the Bramley Care Bears team as know what an amazing impact they are making. 

If one day you feel like you want become a part of something incredible, join our volunteers team too!
 

Hi my name is Alireza Hassani,

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I have been volunteering with the Bramley Care Bears since the beginning July of 2023.

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I volunteer with the Gardening team on Tuesdays and Thursday (weather dependent)I also help with food distribution on Friday and sundays , I really enjoy helping the community and people by gardening and foods.

For me is one of the best experience to work with such nice and caring people .

I recommend for those people that want to help others and want to be useful on their life to work with this beautiful community.

Hi my name is Harvey Townend

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I have been volenteering with Bramley Care Bears since May 2022

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I have been helping out with the Woodworking, Gardening and Litter picking sessions

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The thing I love about volenteering is that i can get to meet new people and learn new skills like how to make things and do new things.

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It is nice to make a positive impact for our community.

My name is Layton Charlton

I'm 12 years old and I first heard about volunteering because I attend the homework club on a Friday

So I started volunteering because I like helping out where ever I can and I absolutely enjoy helping out

My name is Luke Charlton

I'm 9 years old

I heard about volunteering because I live in the area.

I also go to school in the area as well as both my sister and brother volunteer.

Although I am waiting to be assessed for adhd, volunteering helps me to keep my brain focused I absolutely love helping out when I can.

My name is Aleza-Jayne Dudson

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I joined the bramley care bears two week ago when I volunteered for the St Peters project.

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I heard about this from dovile and thought I'd give it a try.

I enjoy doing it which is a rare sight. I get to do something I enjoy and that many people will enjoy.

My name is Brya Dudson
I joined Bramley Care Bears a few months ago when I volunteered at homework club. 

I heard about this group from a mate and though I would be interested and it is very fun. 

I decided to volunteer because it seems very fun and interesting and something I’d like to do. Plus it looks good on my CV. 

Time away from home and let’s me help people who need help.