Over the last couple of weeks, we have been brainstorming a couple of new ideas and projects that would spread our healthier and happier living agenda across Leeds.
One bright idea that has stuck and is developing weekly is… to set up our very own community café that aims to reduce health inequalities (ideally in Bramley or elsewhere in West Leeds).
How exciting!!!
Your first thought might be – what on earth is a community café and how is it any different to a locally run/independent café in the community?
Well… you need to keep on reading to find out what a community café is, why it is needed and what we expect ours to look like!
A community café runs as a social enterprise for the benefit of a local community or marginalised group rather than running to generate surplus profit margins.
This is exactly how Your Back Yard runs. We aim to get local communities living healthier and happier lives rather than making money.
Check out this blog post that sheds some light on a range of incredible community cafes in the UK here.
Now you know what a community café is, you need to know why we believe a community café focusing on health and wellbeing is needed in Leeds.
Let’s take a look at the stats:
– In 2030, it is expected that there will be 16,530 malnourished people in Leeds aged 65 and over.
– 1/10 children in reception are developing obesity.
– 42% of older males and 48% of older females are still not getting the NHS recommended activity per week.
– In 2019 there were 850 emergency hospital admissions in Leeds due to falls involving people aged 65 and over.
– The main causes for premature mortality in Leeds are cancer, cardiovascular disease and respiratory conditions.
– In Leeds 15% of seniors are socially isolated which is found to be as damaging as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Every single one of the shocking health stats highlighted above are ultimately treatable and preventable through a community cafe serving affordable healthy lunches, hosting exercise classes, and creating a sociable environment for all.
Therefore, the opening of a community cafe in Leeds could quite realistically transform these stats and ultimately people’s lives.
We envision our café to be a warm and welcoming space where the smell of freshly roasted coffee, and buzzing noise of laughter between locals hits you as soon as you walk in.
We are currently looking at viable spaces and funding avenues to set up the community café in Bramley Shopping centre (but we are not limiting our search here!). If we find a reasonably sized space, we hope to host affordable Yoga, Tai Chi or Meditation taster sessions at the cafe to get inactive people moving.
As much as we LOVE this idea, we want to know what you think and hear your thoughts!
So, we ask if you could please fill out this online survey here and/or you can contact us with your opinions and suggestions.
