Signposting to resources and support for our members, third sector organisations and groups, staff teams and volunteers in Leeds.

Many third sector organisations in Leeds are under currently huge financial pressure and strain – you are not alone – this is being felt by statutory partners across the entire system in West Yorkshire and nationally.

Forum Central and Voluntary Action Leeds are committed to supporting you through these challenges. We have collated useful links to resources and sources of support here. If you have a specific question or can’t find what you’re looking for please email us on [email protected].

Practical Support for Organisations

Funding

Volunteering

Workforce and HR Support

 Closing your charity

Staff Wellbeing

West Yorkshire Staff Health and Wellbeing Hub

  • Self-refer for one-to-one therapy confidentially – this service is available for people who work and volunteer in Primary Care.
  • The message-taking phone service – call 0800 183 1488 to request a wellbeing check-in call; to get signposting to self-help resources; ask for information about how to access group support, including critical incident support for people and teams; or referral to 1 to 1 therapy for you and your colleagues.
  • Support for the VCSE sector page on the hub

MindWell

  • The mental health website for Leeds. Lots of self-help information. Lots of resources for individuals and professionals. It can also translate the content into over 100 languages using the accessibility toolbar.
  • Leeds mental health and wellbeing directory – Directory of services which are filterable by type of support and location by postcode.

Money Worries – Practical Support for Individuals

Cost of Living Support Signposting

Welcome Spaces

Energy

  • Citizen’s Advice Energy Adviceline  0800 448 0721 – free dedicated phone service shared with Citizen Advice Newcastle & Sheffield. Anyone can call (during office hours) to get advice about their energy bills, suppliers, and schemes and benefits they may be eligible for.

Food

Money

Third Sector Networks – an overview

Being connected and involved with a third sector network is a source of great support for many organisations and groups in Leeds and the people who run them. Most of the following networks meet regularly and send newsletters – contact [email protected] if you’re interested in coming along to any of our network meetings or to receive network emails, and email [email protected] for VAL’s.

  • Forum Central coordinated networks and forums:
    • Health and Care Leaders – network of senior managers of health and care third sector organisations. Regular meetings and newsletter.
    • Mental Health – network of third sector and statutory sector professionals with a focus on mental health and is closely connected to the Mental health Transformation work. Regular meetings and newsletter.
    • Physical and Sensory Impairment – Regular meetings and newsletter.
    • Learning Disability – Regular meetings and newsletter.
    • Communities of Interest Network – brings together support and information connect for communities which experience the greatest inequalities, with a focus on health and wellbeing. 
    • Men’s Health Unlockednetwork of third sector and statutory sector professionals in a coordinated effort to improve men’s health and wellbeing in Leeds. In partnership with Barca-Leeds, Orion Partnership (Space 2, Zest) and Touchstone. Regular meetings and newsletter.
    • Workforce HR Network – 
    • Trauma Informed Communities (Children and Young People) – part of the Compassionate Leeds strategy this work promotes a culture shift and city-wide approach and has a grants programme but doesn’t hold traditional network meetings. Regular newsletter.
    • Inclusion network – network of third sector managers who are came together in response to the Black Lives Matter movement to consider, influence and embed inclusion best practice in their own organisations and the wider health and care system. Quarterly meetings.
    • Local Care Partnerships – this is the model of place-based joined up working between health and care statutory and third sector providers in Leeds. There are currently 15 Local Care Partnerships in Leeds. Every is different, but most hold regular network meetings with representation from; Primary Care, Public Health, Social Care, Third sector, Linking Leeds, Healthwatch, Elected members.
  • Voluntary Action Leeds coordinated networks and forums:
    • Culturally Diverse Hub – network of individuals and organisations aiming to ensure the voice of culturally diverse communities are heard by decision makers. Regular meetings and newsletter.
    • Leeds Crime Reduction Network – network of organisations working to support both the victims and perpetrators of crime and ultimately make Leeds a safer place. Regular meetings and newsletter.
    • Young Lives Leeds – the network and strategic forum for Third Sector organisations working to improve the lives of children, young people and their families in Leeds. Regular meetings and newsletter.
    • Leeds Community Anchor Network – network made up of organisations or partnerships who aim to help ensure the communities of Leeds thrive, as outlined in the Characteristics of a Thriving Community. There are currently 25 Community Anchor Network organisations located across all wards in Leeds.
    • LeedsACTS! – Coordinating third sector and academic collaborations to better understand pressing societal challenges within our communities.
    • Third Sector Leeds – the policy body that advocates for the third sector’s values and interests in Leeds. TSL comprises of a Leadership Group which meets regularly to action the work of TSL. Regular communications are emailed to TSL members. Any Third Sector organisation in Leeds can be a member.