Another good news story from warm spaces! This week, Laura from Harehills Crown Green Bowling talks to us about their warm space.

We joined the warm spaces register in January but have been open to the public as a warm space since October 2022. Sessions are between 11:30-2:30pm every Monday and Friday but someone is usually around from 11am till 3pm for those who may want to arrive in quieter times to check it out and ask a few questions first.

It is brilliant for the community, we have practise from 11-12, with a more competitive but friendly pairs competition starting at 12 each session. We have cards, darts, dominoes, and various board games – but most people prefer to play bowls once they’ve tried it.

There’s the opportunity to play three games of bowls (11up) and after the second is when everyone takes a joint break for refreshments. Everyone is encouraged to help themselves to tea, coffee, soup , cakes and delicious pastries, and these have been very well received.

The sessions are free of charge including equipment hire – we ask those who wish to bowl to just wear flat soled shoes/trainers and to dress for the weather – however we do have some waterproofs available should we get caught in an unexpected downpour and Yes, we continue in the rain! We do have a heated pavilion and hand warmers, so, you can soon warm up with a hot drink!

We have on average around 26 attendees at each session. Predominantly older people enjoy bowling, with most being over 70 years of ages, some with disabilities due to age, other with physical disabilities such as partial sight. We welcome people in wheelchairs too and have a bowling green adapted wheelchair and a variety of bowling aids to help be as inclusive as possible for everyone.

Our youngest regular attendee to the sessions is 31 years old but during school holidays we have families with children attending who enjoy spending time together as friends too! Over recent weeks we have seen numbers increase to 33 with more during holidays. We are looking at facilitating an additional session.

The benefits of playing bowls are quite spectacular, from the weights (the bowls themselves) bending, walking and stretching. The light gentle exercise improves both physical and mental health; from burning calories, leading to weight loss, increased muscle tone, reduced stress, improved concentration being in the outdoors, soaking up loads of vitamin D reducing the risk of heart disease.

Bowls is an intergenerational sport and the only sport where a 9-year-old can play against a 90 year old and they both have the same chance of winning.

We see most people do need help with the cost of living, food parcels and vouchers. We have been fortunate ourselves to have some funding to help with this, but we also have signposted people to Food banks and Local Councillors for help with housing disrepairs.

Practical support when accessing the internet is another example. This has now led to us joining the National Digital Inclusion Network. Many older people and those on low incomes struggle to access the internet, due to capability, confidence, and the financial cost. We want to help with that too where we can, we now have the internet in the pavilion with free WIFI too! Watch this space for further updates!

Leeds City Council has allocated funding from the West Yorkshire Mayor’s Cost Of Living Emergency Fund to support organisations that wish to operate Warm Spaces this winter. This fund is being administered by Voluntary Action Leeds (VAL) find out more here: 

#WarmwelcomeLeeds

Voluntary Action Leeds