If you haven’t seen already, we are one of the frontrunners in line for funding from The Co-op. This is a member-based initiative that the Co-Op operates. You can become a Co-op member by visiting their website or app and signing up. this will entitle you to discounted goods in their stores and a whole host of other benefits. See their website for more details: Co-op Membership – Membership that makes a difference – Co-op

Once a member make sure you choose Dewsbury and District League of Friendship as your nominated charity and that way we end up with a better chance of greater funding later this year.

All you need to do is:

1. download the Co-op App 
2. click the ‘Discover’ tab at the bottom
3. tap on Member Prizes

Don’t forget, if you’re a Co-op Member, you can enter too!

Choose Dewsbury and District League of Friendship as your Local Community Fund cause on the Co-op app and enter @coopuk Member Prizes for a chance to win £500 for you and £5,000 for us. Find out more on the Co-op App.

Win £5000 with Co-op Member Prizes

Did you know your cause could be in with a chance to win additional funding through our Co-op Member Prizes?

From now until the end of the year, 5 lucky local Local Community Fund causes will win £5000 every month if they’ve been chosen by a winning Co-op Member!

Co-op Members can enter a monthly prize draw to win some amazing prizes including money for them and their community, trips and experiences*. All Members need to do is spend £5, swipe their membership card and choose their preferred prize from the list on our Co-op app to be in with a chance of winning this month**. Plus, they’ll get additional entries for every £5 they spend***.

Prizes change each month, August prizes available are:

• 💰£500 in their member wallet and £5,000 for their chosen Local Community Fund cause
• ✈️A city break sponsored by Co-op Travel Insurance
• 🍔A £400 Uber Eats voucher
• 🎤A VIP Co-op Live experience for them and 5 friends

Recent Press Release:

A charity based in the heart of Dewsbury Town Centre is at risk of closing.  Dewsbury and District League of Friendship, or Howlands as it is more affectionately known as, has supported disadvantaged adults in and around Dewsbury for 73 years.  It is based in a beautiful building at the top of School Street and to many is a place of refuge, safety, friendship and belonging.  In recent times Howlands has faced an uncertain future as funding has dried up from many sources.

Mark Boocock, a part-time Development Officer at Howlands said, “It has become increasingly frustrating to try and find funds to simply help sustain the wonderful work that a small group of paid staff and many generous volunteers do at this centre.  There seem to be far fewer opportunities for funding out there. Most Central Government and Local Authority funding has been squeezed due to budget constraints.  The demand from an ever-growing number of charities has increased way beyond what the supply of charitable funds and other sources of income can satisfy.  It’s sad to say, but we may be very close, weeks even, from the closure of what is a lifeline to many people in our local community.  We are not talking huge amounts of money here; we’re looking at 5-figure sums, circa £50,000 a year to fund a gap in income and expenditure for a charity that easily gives back more than that through helping people overcome loneliness and social isolation.”

Howlands, known for its tireless efforts in supporting disadvantaged adults, plays an essential role in our community by tackling loneliness and social isolation. The organisation is a key part of Dewsbury Town Centre, with the building being the only community centre in the heart of Dewsbury.  Originally, the charity came about through an idea to create workshops to provide recreation and handicrafts for disabled people.  With support from various organisations the League of Friendship grew and eventually took residence in a former Victorian Primary School building at the top of School Street in the early 1960s.  Over time the organisation’s constitution has adapted to the interests of those attending and now covers a broad area of helping disadvantaged people who suffer from loneliness, social isolation and/or marginalisation.  The centre is also host to many other local charities and groups who are able to run events and sessions in excellent facilities for people in North Kirklees.  Included in these groups are charities and organisations helping people with mental health issues, people with breathing difficulties, new families who are struggling, people who are building their lives and social skills, and many more disadvantaged groups of people.  There are upwards of 8 other local groups and charities that rely on Howlands being a place they can operate from.  All age ranges find help through support that is run from Howlands with upwards of 200 people a week accessing help through the centre.  Howlands really is a haven of support for many who are suffering from a whole range of issues that disadvantage them in today’s society.

A recent survey of Howlands attendees asked why is Howlands special?  Almost everyone answered that it feels like a family coming here and the social inclusion and interaction is “priceless”.  Most respondents sadly shared that if Howlands was no longer open they would likely stay at home on their own, some saying they would probably just stay in bed.  One attendee said, “I would probably sit alone looking out of the window watching the world go by.”, and many spoke of how depressed they would be without the company, love and kindness they get at Howlands.

Jane, an attendee for the past 2 years, is in her fifties and struggles with paranoid schizophrenia.  She is also extremely shy and introverted.  Her social worker told her about Howlands and since coming initially just one day a week, Jane has found a sense of belonging.  She also reports that since coming to Howlands, Jane has not had an admission to hospital, something that didn’t seem possible before.  We are proud to have played a part in helping Jane, who feels that without Howlands she would likely struggle with her illness and social anxiety and worries that she may not survive. 

“Howlands saved my life, it truly did.  I love the place. The staff are wonderful people and I just feel calm and safe when I’m here.” – Jane, Howlands Attendee

We wholeheartedly echo attendees’ feelings. Howlands is a vital part of our community and it needs our support now more than ever. This community hub is a lifeline for many, offering a sense of purpose, a safe space, and the opportunity to feel part of something greater.  We are desperately seeking donors and supporters, whether it be local businesses or individuals wanting to help out.  Please HELP OUR HOWLANDS!

For more information on Howlands, please visit our website at www.howlands.org.uk.

Help Howlands Campaign | HOWLANDS

Anyone wishing to contribute can do so via the following link:

https://checkout.justgiving.com/lr0wh9il4y

or Text HOWLANDS to 70085 to donate £3.

Be There or Be Unfashionable!

In partnership with our very fashionable friends at Complete Clothing Company, we will be hosting the event of the Century, darlings, as our glam models take to the catwalk again and dazzle us with the latest styles and designs. Bring your sunglasses because this show is hot, hot, hot!

See you there!

Come along for some festive fun and dig through our fare at our Christmas Fair!

There was a lot of excitement on 18 September 2024 as Iqbal Mohamed the newly elected Member of Parliament for Dewsbury and Batley visited Howlands and met with members as well as staff and volunteers.

Iqbal spent some considerable time meeting and chatting with members who were in attendance as well as hearing about our history and the wonderful work we continue doing to empower people in unearthing their creative talents whilst reducing loneliness and social isolation and enhancing social confidence and self-esteem.

It was a real pleasure to have our MP in attendance and we felt that this was the beginning of a wonderful new friendship and partnership. Iqbal has even committed to coming and doing a session with us in a voluntary capacity, albeit we think he wants to show us his art skills developed at school. Either way we will be taking you up on this offer, Iqbal, and will work out when and how to do that going forward.

As he prepared to leave, Iqbal thanked everyone for the warmth that he felt during his visit and the overwhelming sense of family that was evident at Howlands. Iqbal committed to be a familiar face at Howlands going forward saying:

“It was a real pleasure to visit and meet you and all the wonderful people.

The work you all do is essential and hugely appreciated.”

We look forward to working with Iqbal going forward.

Saturday 19th October 2024 at 1.00 p.m.

“Playing dress-up begins at age five and never truly ends.” —Kate Spade

Following our successful Spring Fashion Show held earlier this year we are going again with Complete Clothing and our dashing host, William Finan. We will again have all the glitz and glamour of the catwalk as our fabulous models don their outfits again and we are taken through the razzmatazz with a backdrop of banging 80s tunes.

Come down, join in, even buy your winter outfits or next year’s summer clothes, all at a reasonable price courtesy of Complete Clothing.

Tickets are £6.00 each which will include a glass of Prosecco or a non-alcoholic alternative drink. There will be a free prize draw for all tickets purchased.

Unfortunately Mark was unable to take part in the Great North Run this year due to unexpected and unpredictable ill-health. Mark took medical advice from his GP who suggested it was not wise to participate given his underlying health issues and chronic fatigue and knee pain suffered recently (this is part of Mark’s health journey following stroke in 2019). Mark has deferred his entry to next year’s Great North Run and pending confirmation that he has a place in this, Mark’s intention is to work towards being able to participate in next year’s event and/or other running events.

Mark said, “Due to ill health I was no longer able to do this event. I am incredibly disappointed. My colleagues at work will be climbing Pen-y-Ghent on 14th September in lieu of my intended activity and I will recover as best I can and look at something for next year. If you have sponsored me please know that I will do something in place of this, when I am back on an even keel as best I can be with underlying health conditions. I am sorry. I hope you understand. I will not be beaten and I will rise again and do something crazy for this wonderful place.”

In lieu of this, Deborah and Becky, our ever-adventurous ever-present members of staff will be taking on the mountainous beast that is Pen-Y-Ghent on Saturday 14th September. Both Deborah and Becky are nervously looking forward to this challenge, especially seeing as the weather forecast is for drizzle and the anticipated walking/climbing/crawling time is circa three and a half hours. We are sure that the view will be worth it and that first pint will go down a treat, once completed.

We ask that donors through Justgiving to Mark’s planned event are understanding of his setback and that any pledges of sponsorship are transferred to Deborah and Becky’s adventure. Mark has committed to taking part in a future fundraising event and details will be shared as soon as he is in a position to confirm his choice of adventure. Mark’s daughter has suggested he jumps off a hill with Sam the Man from the Gym downstairs, obviously attached to a paraglider. Watch this space.

We wish Deborah and Becky all the luck in the world as they aim to scale the 2277 foot high peak. Have the cagouls handy, ladies, and bring us back a story or two and some pictures of the magnificent view atop the clouds! Any new or further donations can be made via our Justgiving page here: Howlands – JustGiving

AJ Bell Great North Run, 8 September 2024.

Mark Boocock is fundraising for Howlands (justgiving.com)

“Ok, so I’m doing this whether I like it or not. Yep, 13.1 miles. I am daft but this is just crazy.

Please help me raise much needed funds for Howlands by donating if you can. Howlands helps disadvantaged people find confidence, forge friendships and create lifelong connections through bespoke arts and crafts. The place warms my heart and makes a difference to many people.

My friend Craig will be guiding me round so I don’t bang into people or trip over anything. Who dares wins and I’m daring!”

If you would like to sponsor Mark either visit the JustGiving link in this article or ask any member of Howlands Staff for a sponsor form. Please give if you can; every penny helps.