About Us

HOWLANDS

Back in the 1950s the League of Friendship was formed by three local charities. They had realised that there was nowhere for adults with disabilities to meet and socialise. They found a Victorian school building in the centre of Dewsbury and developed it to make it accessible for people with disabilities. A paid manager was brought in to teach arts and crafts as a way forward to learning new skills. The organisation was unusual in that it was run by the members for the members, with the help of voluntary workers and the paid staff.

In time with persistence and hard work the League of Friendship was able to purchase the building.

July 2017 saw the completion of the Howlands refurbishment with thanks to a Big Lottery grant and our many supporters our building is now fit-for-purpose and able to support the whole community.

Watch our refurbishment time-lapse video here Howlands Refurbishment Video