Leeds United Kick Off a Month of Volunteering at Holbeck Together

We were thrilled to welcome Leeds United’s Chief Executive, Angus Kinnear, and Director of Football, Victor Orta to Holbeck recently to help kick off a month of Leeds United and Leeds United Foundation staff volunteering their time to support local people during the winter months.

The month of volunteering will see Leeds United staff supporting a range of charities across the city, ensuring they are playing their part in helping those most vulnerable through what will be a difficult period of time, especially due to the impacts of COVID-19.
Leeds united employees will be supporting us with our:
– Weekly walking group
– Telephone befriending service, where a staff member from Leeds United will be a friendly voice on the other end of the phone, to make sure our clients have someone to chat to if they’re feeling isolated or lonely;
– Crisis relief, delivery of hot meals and winter packs of flasks, hot water bottles, face masks, sanitiser, gloves, hats – and hand-made crotchet blankets;
– Packing and delivering Christmas goodies for our winter hamper project.

Both Angus and Victor are encouraging members of staff to follow their lead and sign-up to lend a hand in the run-up to Christmas. The club’s CEO signed up to support the weekly walking group and after being paired up with Holbeck Together client and avid Leeds United fan Kevin Bradley, invited him to do their walk around Elland Road.

I really enjoyed meeting Angus; It was a pleasure. It was like a dream come true. I didn’t think I’d see that, not in my lifetime, in all the years I have supported them. Angus is a lovely down to earth man. I can’t thank Holbeck Together enough.

Kevin Bradley, Holbeck Together client

Victor spent the rest of the morning doing telephone befriending calls, chatting to older residents who are shielding and may feel isolated, getting to know them and generally brightening their day. Victor has also been providing further support, embarking on walks with Holbeck Together clients, and showing them around Elland Road throughout this week.

It was great that Angus invited Kevin to kick off the month of volunteering with Holbeck Together at Elland Road. It brings to life how such a simple action such as walking and talking can encourage people to step outside, get some fresh air and chat through anything on their mind.

Victor was just fantastic in the office making such valuable befriending calls to clients, he really took the time to listen to people and lifted staff spirits chatting away with everyone.

It was so heartening to see Victor and Angus leading from the front and encouraging their staff to support the Holbeck community – we can’t thank them enough for their support and dedication.

It makes such a huge difference – and gives the people of Holbeck a great morale boost -when the leading organisations in our city look outwards towards the community during challenging times and help spread some much-needed seasonal cheer. It’s a true representation of Holbeck pulling together.

Elissa Newman, Chief Officer of Holbeck Together

If you are interested in joining the Leeds United staff in lending a hand and being part of the community response over the festive period, then please contact Matthew on 0113 245 5553. To find out more about the services we are operating at this time, visit: https://www.holbecktogether.org/coronavirus-covid-19/our-services/