News and information
Our new plan
Ever thought you are not sure who we are and exactly what we aim to do? Today we launch our plan for the next three years. Take a look at our Strategy Summary 2022 It tells you about our vision, values and three connected services. There is a page on how we make a difference with our members. Sometimes this is called a ‘theory of change’. Lastly there are 4 goals and the things we will be working on to achieve these.
Posted: 05/01/2021
COVID 19 Vaccination Information
Are you wondering when you can get the COVID vaccination? Have a look at this Easy Read Covid Vaccine Information poster. Do you want to know more about having the vaccination. Try looking at this Vaccine information leaflet from Mencap. (It was written just before the second vaccine was approved).
Posted: 05/01/2021
MindWell 12 days of #ChristmasToolkit
Christmas is supposed to be a wonderful time of fun and magic. The reality, this year especially, is that it can be a very challenging time of the year for many people. Our #ChristmasToolkit can help you find ways to take care of your emotional wellbeing this winter.
Download our #StayWellThisChristmas resource with seasonal self-help and information to help you find support and services during the festive period.
Posted: 14/12/2020
Important and Useful Information about COVID-19
Through the Maze have provided accessible and up to date information regarding COVID-19. Click the link below to find lots of important information.
Posted: 4/9/2020
Leeds Carers Partnership
Covid19: Support and guidance for carers
The latest guide to support for anyone looking after a friend or relative with an illness, frailty, disability, mental health issue or an addiction in Leeds.
Posted: 17/8/2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
How the Police are making sure that you are keeping safe. Updated: July 2020
This document tells you about some more changes the Government have made to the rules about preventing the spread of Coronavirus.
There are now some more things that people can do that they couldn’t do before. But the law in the England is different to the rest of the UK.
The document also tells you about what the Police are doing to help people follow the rules which are in place.
Posted: 14/8/2020
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week!
This week is all about our mental health and in particular this week focuses on the power and potential of Kindness. In this current crisis, it is more important than ever to look out for one another due to the psychological and social impacts that have affected everyone during isolation and lockdown.
What could you do to spread a bit of kindness? Whether it’s making someone a cup of tea or having a chat with a neighbour. Let’s spread the love! You can find more information here: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week
Posted: 21/5/20

NHS England
The ‘Get Checked Out’ page provided by the NHS provides a wide range of Easy Read resources on how to stay active, access different services and different activity packs.
They also have a range of resources that provide information on Coronavirus symptoms, how to get checked out and how to keep you and others safe!
Posted: 18/5/20
Leeds Autism AIM have a survey out asking for #ActuallyAutistic people in #Leeds to share their thoughts on their experience during #COVID19 and how West Yorkshire Police can help when you’re going outside.
To take the survey, please go to this link: https://smartsurvey.co.uk/
Posted: 11/5/20
Health Watch Leeds have provided a Together Leeds newsletter which you can download here. It focuses on the health and care sector in Leeds.
“As we continue responding and adapting to the coronavirus pandemic, we are aware there is a significant amount of information being shared with people and with local organisations. This can lead to confusion, at a time when people more than ever need clarity.
Therefore, we have developed this bulletin to try and bring our key health and care messages together in one place, so that you have the most reliable information to share with your networks. We know there are lots of other working happening right across the city, to help all local people, especially those in greatest need.” #TogetherLeeds
Leeds Digital Inclusion
Leeds City Council’s Digital Inclusion Team has shared an offer of support for organisations struggling to access tablet devices and other equipment.
The team confirmed that it has a 4G enabled iPad lending scheme running as well as a number of Amazon Echo shows that they can lend to voluntary organisations in supporting isolated older people.
The team is looking at how it can adapt the delivery of the Tablet Lending Scheme to get equipment to people that need it over the coming weeks. If you’re working with someone who may benefit from having access to one so that they can get online, or if you have other equipment requests, get in touch and the team will do its best to help.
If you would like to know more, please contact Rachel Benn, Digital Inclusion Coordinator, 100% Digital Leeds, at Rachel.Benn@leeds.gov.uk.
Website: https://digitalinclusionleeds.com/
Posted: 29/4/20
Telephone Befriending in Challenging Times
We know that it can sometimes be difficult adapting the way we interact and communicate with others particularly when it’s for a very long time. We don’t know when we will be able to interact face to face again so we are using different methods such as video calling, phone calling and social media to keep in touch while we are isolating.
Fortunately, Time to Shine Leeds have provided 2 resources to help support people staying in touch via telephone. These may really be useful to those who support members in the community that don’t have access to video calling or online resources.
- Telephone befriending – information and resources
- Compassionate and informative telephone calls during COVID-19
Take a look here at ways in which you can have fun over the phone!
Posted: 17/4/20
Forum Central Newsletter
Check out Forum Central’s latest newsletter containing information around the current Covid-19 pandemic and how different organisations are supporting communities.
Keep yourself up to date on what is happening and how you can keep safe and connected.
https://mailchi.mp/df3ff0fdf006/forum-central-weekly-bulletin-15-april-2020-19-875790?e=8cd5a2a8f6
Posted: 15/4/20
Keeping Safe from Abuse
Message from the Independent Chair of Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board, Richard Jones CBE
Thank you, all of you who are working so hard to support the citizens of Leeds in these increasingly difficult times; your efforts will be making a huge difference.
While the pandemic has shown how we can all pull together and support our communities, sadly it also means that abuse and neglect can be harder to spot. There are also unfortunately a few who will take advantage of this time to exploit people who are naturally worried and scared.
For these reasons I would ask everyone to please remember your safeguarding responsibilities, be aware, be vigilant and if something doesn’t seem right, seek advice.
On our website we have brought together information to help you support and protect people in Leeds who may be experiencing or be at risk of abuse, neglect or self-neglect during this time. Please view the information at https://leedssafeguardingadults.org.uk/covid-19
You can access the Easy Read leaflet here.
Posted: 14/4/20
Keeping Safe and Spotting Scams Relating to the Covid-19 Outbreak!
Please take a look at some information regarding individuals taking advantage of the Coronavirus outbreak to scam people. You can read more information on the posters below which contain helpline numbers if you think you have been scammed.
Posted: 7/4/20
Emergency Food Response Information
In light of the current COVID-19 situation, additional support is being provided to make sure that everyone is able to access the food they need. If this affects you, please make sure you seek help using the information below. They will also give you guidance if you are unsure.
Emergency Food Response for Public
Posted: 3/4/20
Happy April everyone!
This week, Forum Central published their report on the International Day of People with Disabilities Event held in December 2019.
People Matters ran a stall at this event. We met lots of amazing people and collaborated with great organisations.
You can read the report here :
Posted: 2/4/20
Leeds Local Offer – Organisational information
Leeds Local Offer are providing a huge list of organisations giving up to date information on Coronavirus as well as providing information on what they and others are doing to keep you involved. There is lots of information to help support you and your family during this time.
Take a look:
https://leedslocaloffer.org.uk/#!/search/list?query=COVID19
& Let’s stay connected! #inLeedsPeopleMatter
Posted: 31/3/20
Monday Morning Motivation!
Hello everyone, we hope you’ve had a good weekend, keeping safe and busy!
To help you stay connected, many organisations are creating daily timetables full of activities. Through the Maze have put together some of those organisations with the activities they are running during the week. Click on the ‘Things to do while you are at home’ link below and check out what you could be doing with your day. This may include art, sewing, exercise and live chat groups!
Posted: 30/3/20
New People Matters Group!! 🙂
Come and join our new group to keep us connected, share good news and fun activities. We will be posting daily so make sure you keep your eyes peeled!
You can join this group by clicking the link below and joining as a member:
Make sure you have an account to access our page :).
Posted: 26/03/20
Hello everyone!
We are loving all the fabulous ideas and creativity people are bringing to our attention and want to share with you some of those things.
Artist, Pete Mckee, is creating cartoon drawing lessons each week for beginners to try at home on his YouTube channel. Take a look and give it a try! You can find all his videos using the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjpNMIjkGJ-vxuOhsN2xxTA
Here is lesson 1:
Posted: 23/3/20
Let’s stay connected :)!
Hello everyone, we hope you are keeping yourself well and busy during this time! We will be posting regular updates on our website, providing information on how to stay connected and busy while at home. Please keep a look out.
If you are not sure how to use social media and other online platforms, there are some great tips on how to get started. You can find these on the links provided below:
Learning Disability England: Learn how to download and use WhatsApp to keep in touch with friends and colleagues.
Learn My Way: Take short courses to learn how to use different apps for video calling, social media and online shopping
https://www.learnmyway.com/subjects/more-internet-skills
Check back tomorrow for some fun activities you can do at home!
Posted: March 2020