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Meet Sara the Cara Friendship Network Coordinator.
I have lived in Leeds since 1989 and from working in the White Stag to singing sessions in and around the City, I have been welcomed by the Leeds Irish community so warmly. This role in so many ways feels like coming home and a way that I can give back.
Working with various communities for more than 25 years, I always strive to get people back doing the things they love to do, or to try the stuff they don’t even know they love yet! People tell me I talk a lot; I love to chat, share stories and laugh together with others but like friendship, conversation is a two way street and this is where Cara Friends comes in.
My role is to bring people together, those with a few hours of time to share and those who find themselves with too many hours in the day. Read on to find out how you can be involved in Cara Friends, the new way in Leeds to reconnect to your Irish roots.
Cara Friends, is a new project at Leeds Irish Health & Homes, funded by the Big Lottery Fund as part of Leeds Time To Shine.
Aimed at older (50 years plus) Irish people living in Leeds, Cara Friends seeks to locate and engage people who may have lost touch with their community and may lack the means and the confidence to get back into the swing of things. By becoming part of the Cara Friendship Network people can get the support they need to get to social and cultural events, to reconnect with old friends from the Irish Community and re-engage with what is offered locally. We will also be recruiting and training befrienders to work within the friendship network to ease the way back into social and cultural activities. This is about extending the hand of friendship, helping overcome mobility issues and counteracting social isolation and putting older Irish people back where they belong, at the heart of the Leeds Irish Community and making the most of their later life.
helloWelcometo Cara.
Sara AllkinsCara Friendship
Network Coordinator
Be part of Cara because friendship is a two way streetAre you feeling like you would benefit from being part of a network of friends who understand your point of view? Who share some of your life experiences and are able to help you get back to feeling part of things again, more like yourself? Do you have an hour to spare to visit an older Irish person in Leeds? Chat about Ireland, take them out of a cup of tea – it’s up to you. You can make a difference to someone’s life, so get involved. Get involved with Cara Friends and make a difference to someone’s life. A phone call or an email is all it takes. Get involved and the life you change could be yours…
For more details please contact Sara: 07739 2127350113 [email protected]
“We show people that they have found a friend, that they are a
person, not a name on a piece of paper“
Mary OtleyCara Committee Member
“We went to a Céili and I saw a live band for the first time in 20
years“Richard
Cara Friends
“The great thing about Leeds Irish Health and homes is they save
lives“Chris O Malley
Irish Arts Foundation
www.lihh.org @leedsirish
/leedsirishcommunityRegistered as an Industrial and Provident Society with charitable status
28320R / Registered in England No. IP28320R
“Coming from an Irish family I love listening to the stories of people who moved to Leeds. I know that the small amount of my time that I can share makes
such a difference and it brightens the week for both of us”
Anna FranksCara Friends
Photos: Karen Rangeley
