By Joshua Robinson – 

Fountains Church, a West Yorkshire community group, is opening its doors and offering a friend to those in need during this year’s Loneliness Awareness Week. 

Fountains Church provides weekly drop-in sessions in Bradford and has been supported through a grant from the Mayor of West Yorkshire’s Safer Communities Fund. This scheme takes money seized from criminals and grants it to community projects across the region.  

Staffed by a team of volunteers, the sessions at Fountain’s Church aim to build a sense of community and friendship. Offering wellbeing support, a free meal, and some quality time with their trusty therapy dog, Dougal.  

As this week is Loneliness Awareness Week (12th to 18th June) and in the wake of new research showing that 85% of UK adults have experienced loneliness within the last 12 months (according to a survey from Nextdoor in partnership with Marmalade Trust 2023), the Mayor is encouraging residents to reach out to those around them.

Loneliness Awareness Week is a campaign organised by Bristol-based charity, the Marmalade Trust who aim to raise awareness surrounding loneliness and encourage people to make connections with each other.

Mayor Tracy Brabin

Mayor Tracy Brabin said: “Loneliness Awareness Week is an opportunity for us all to reach out to those around us.”   

“From a friendly smile, to a cuppa with our nearest and dearest, we can all play our part to help combat loneliness.” 

“It is great that our Safer Communities Fund is able to strengthen the bonds of our communities in West Yorkshire at this time.”

Reverend Linda Maslen

Reverend Linda Maslen, Fountains Church Leader, said: “The Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund has enabled us to extend our work with communities here in Bradford. Thanks to our fantastic team of staff and volunteers, our drop ins provide more than just a hot meal; they are an opportunity for people to come together and start conversations (and meet our lovely therapy dog Dougal!)”

“Real connection matters, and that’s what we aim to give people at our sessions.” 

Dougal the therapy dog at Fountains Church

Since 2022, Mayor Brabin has granted over £1 million to 173 projects across the West Yorkshire region. Other initiatives supporting mental health in West Yorkshire include psychotherapy sessions for formerly homeless people in Calderdale and Kirklees, self-confidence workshops for young people in Bradford, and a support hub for veterans in Wakefield.

To learn more about the Mayor’sSafer Communities fund, please visit: https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/mscf/

To learn more about the Marmalade Trust, please visit: https://www.marmaladetrust.org

To learn more about Fountains Church, please visit: https://fountainsbradford.org

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