Leeds Rhinos Foundation is proudly supporting a new Community Centre, run by voluntary organisation OPAL, which supports older people and aims to provide a safe, accessible and affordable community space for residents in Leeds 16.
The building, formerly The Bedford Arms, has been transformed by OPAL into the Welcome In, and will open its doors on Saturday 25th February for residents to enjoy the Café and learn about plans for the future.
Speaking about the new centre, OPAL’s Chairperson, Grace Clark said: “Back in 2014 we identified that OPAL needed secure premises for our staff, volunteers, members and activities. The Bedford Arms was vacant and the challenge was whether we could find enough funding to purchase it and make it our new home. In January 2015 fundraising started and by June 2015, through donations, buy a brick, extra fund raising activities and grants we had enough money to buy the building.”
Ailsa Rhodes, OPAL’s Project Coordinator added: “I am overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity of so many individuals and agencies who have contributed their time and money to OPAL’s ambitious plans of renovating the Bedford Arms into the Welcome In Community Centre.”
Leeds Rhinos players and chief executive Gary Hetherington will be attending the open day to launch a new partnership between Leeds Rhinos Foundation and OPAL.
Commenting on this, Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s partnership manager Dan Busfield said: “OPAL’s mission to support vulnerable people and tackle social isolation is a shared ambition with our charity so we are pleased to support them. They have done an outstanding job setting up this community centre, which will be a valued resource for the people of Leeds.”