Open Door

At the last meeting of the Rounhay Covenanting Churches Council, I was asked to write a brief update about Open Door at 225 Lidgett Lane for the Covenanting Churches magazines. Open Door was conceived as long ago as 2005 after considerable community work and lobbying of various bodies by PC Dave Brook. Leeds City Council recognised the need for a unit and by August 2006 it was up and running with a business plan, making grant applications and winning a Duke of York award, with Leeds City; Leeds Youth Services; West Yorkshire Police; East North East Leeds Homes; RCCC and Community Residents as 'stake holders' responsible for this endeavour. "The central purpose of the project is to enhance the quality of life for residents living in the wards of Roundhay and Moortown through the provision of a multi-agency joint working centre. Local residents and the agencies, by working together, will contribute towards creating better neighbourhoods and confident communities".

That was a laudable brief, so what's happened since then. It has not been success all the way. The RCC ministers found that their surgeries were little used, and dropped them. Attempts to start a Youth Club based at Lidgett Park failed. The local councillors found that their surgeries too, were little used, and abandoned them. It seemed that Open Door was more closed than open. Put crudely, there was a lack of dynamic leadership. BUT the police found that their community officers were used for complaints and information; E.N.E.L.H. found that by regular attendance, listening then acting, they were able to improve facilities and the housing stock; there is now a Youth Club, meeting Mondays and Fridays, with an average attendance of 10 and within that club, trust is building. There is a benefits advice visitor; there is a regular Friday coffee morning and the Community Warden pops in to pick up information, gossip and to reassure. We've had, and will repeat, a schools art competition and are now collecting ideas from the young people for summer activities. Open Door is also available as a meeting place during some parts of the day. There's more but I'm extending the interpretation of "brief".

Open Door will shortly employ a Leeds Met., post graduate on a part time basis, for investigation of needs and (of course) finance generation. However, there's a lot of listening to do and trust to build up. So---to the opportunity for you. The unit needs not your money but your time. What about getting involved through the coffee morning, through being available to listen and befriend? Let your RCCC or CTR representatives know what time you can spare.

Michael Bowers.