Ten years ago, as a film student, I was encouraged to head out into City Square late one night to join a demo being held by a homelessness charity whose representatives we’d recently interviewed for the purposes of a short documentary.
The plan was to congregate in as big a number as possible before walking to a small garden behind Leeds Minster where volunteers would pitch tents and stay overnight in order raise awareness and possibly money in the name the city’s rough sleepers.
Being 17 and everything, me and the rest of my class headed into City Square reluctantly, hoping to bag a few scenic shots before getting the next bus home. But within two minutes of being there, we found ourselves in the grips of a movement whose attitude and ethos was mesmerizing. The night remains a vivid exception in a period of my life that is quite blurry.
It’s bittersweet to know that charity, Simon on the Streets, is going strong in 2021. While no doubt an admirable endeavour, in a country as developed as the UK, it’s painful to know that organisations such as them still have enough demand in terms of rough sleepers.
Founded in 1999, Simon on the Streets focuses on unsupported people with a history of rough sleeping across Bradford, Kirklees, and Leeds. The team of volunteers offer street-based, emotional, and practical support for those who cannot access mainstream services. A main incentive is tackling the behavioural issues and mental illnesses that often lead to or manifest from homelessness and addiction.
Simon on the Streets
Earlier this month, a sleep-in similar to the ones they’ve done in the past was twisted to appease the current climate. On Friday 7 May, families across the country pitched tents in their homes and gardens as part of a “Little Sleep In” to raise money for West Yorkshire’s homeless. In the end, a mighty £2,500 was raised.
Natalie Moran, CEO at Simon on the Streets, said: “We’re really grateful to everyone who took part in our second Little Sleep In and helped raise £2,500.
“We’re still unsure if our biggest fundraising event, our annual sleep-out, will be able to go ahead later this year and with the inaugural Little Sleep In being such a great success last year, the public have continued to show immense creativity and support for us to fundraise at home. The funds raised will go a long way to enable our hardworking outreach workers to continue to support the most vulnerable people living on our streets.”
What is particularly amazing about the charity is how people who’ve often slept rough themselves, if not struggled with some form of mental health or addiction problem, have gone on to become volunteers and act as proof that things can and will get better, even if the cards seem to be stacked against you.
Scotty Bell, a recent addition to the team, gained his first fixed address in 2010. He said, “My role is essentially customer service and market research to make sure that Simon on the Streets involves the people using our service in everything from the design and delivery and capturing and using their feedback to deliver a better service for them.
“This is something businesses do, and it is just as important, if not even more important, that we do this as a charity too. We work in this sector because we care about people and we are problem solvers. Our hope is that we can empower people to take action themselves.”
Another new recruit, Leah Charlson, added: “I’m so excited to have joined the Simon on the Streets team. I’ve spent my first few weeks getting to know all aspects of the charity and going out with the outreach team to fully understand how my work supports the great work they do.
“Covid has changed the world overnight with charities hit particularly hard. We’re starting to rebuild our efforts and create new ways to engage people across business, education and communities.”
Number 10 North has officially 'opened for business' this week, and Andy Burnham has now explained his key reasons for launching it.
You may remember that earlier last month, Andy Burnham revealed he had intentions to create a Number 10 North if he was to become Prime Minister, with the new base expected to be a 'dominant driver of the UK's economy' once it was officially up and running... and now, fast forward to today, Number 10 North is officially 'open for business'.
Operating from Heron House in Manchester city centre, as previously reported on by The Manc, Number 10 North will be the Government’s new 'situation room for growth'.
It also brings the 'levers' of local economic growth and devolution together under one roof for the first time ever.
With the Prime Minister expected to work from Number 10 North each week, so that decisions about the country’s economic future will no longer exclusively be made in Westminster, and with other ministers also working from there on a regular basis, the Government says the move underlines its determination to 'do things differently'.
Number 10 North has officially 'opened for business' / Credit: gov.uk (via Wikimedia Commons)
Now that Number 10 North has officially opened, Andy Burnham has explained why this move is so important for Yorkshire and the north as a whole.
"For 40 years, power and resources have been sucked into the centre, and too many communities have felt forgotten, without the attention and investment they deserve," explained Andy Burnham.
"Number 10 North will change that by putting more power into every postcode across the entire country. It will be the situation room for making Britain better, the place we use to get power out of Westminster, into the hands of people at a local level, so that they can turn things around.
"The days of Whitehall resisting devolution are over, for good."
Featured Image - The Manc Group
News
Pints of Knowledge, Callum Campbell’s fastest-growing event, is coming to Leeds city centre this summer
Clementine Hall
The pub night that's packing out venues across the UK is coming to Leeds.
Let us introduce you to Pints of Knowledge, a phenomenon founded by Callum Campbell that has built a social media following of more than 160,000 people.
This is different to your average night out, it's a chance to meet new people and spark interesting conversation all in the relaxing surroundings of a pub.
The event has attracted thousands to its unique mix of expert talks, conversation and community in pubs across the UK.
Image: Supplied
And if you're looking to get in on the action then you're in luck, because Pints of Knowledge is arriving at The Wardrobe on Sunday 9 August.
So, what can you expect? From landmark legal history and the hidden pressures behind big systems to the evolving language of gaslighting and radical cinema, Sunday's Leeds programme will demonstrate exactly why Pints of Knowledge has struck such a chord with audiences across the UK.
Founder Callum Campbell, who has spent more than a decade producing live events across Britain, said bringing the concept to Leeds was the natural next step - and we're so happy he thought so.
Image: Supplied
He said: "I've always wanted to bring Pints of Knowledge to more cities across England, and Leeds has such a strong appetite for ideas and conversation. Watching this grow has been amazing, and I can't wait to bring it here.
"As more people look for experiences beyond a traditional night out, Pints of Knowledge offers something different: expert speakers, thought-provoking conversations and the chance to meet new people, all in the relaxed surroundings of a pub.
"People still love going to the pub, but they're looking for more from the experience. Pints of Knowledge is about hearing incredible stories, asking questions, meeting interesting people and leaving having learned something new."
Image: Supplied
The Pints of Knowledge programme at The Wardrobe will look like this:
12pm - Human rights lawyer Mahnoor Omer presents '10 Legal Cases that Changed History'.
2pm - Georgina Shute asks 'Why billion-pound systems are built by people who can't finish their to-do lists'.
4pm - Isobel Logan explores 'Gaslighting: The Evolution of a Concept Across Art, Relationships and Politics'.
6pm - Angelos Koutsourakis will examine 'Third Cinema, The Global South & Climate Change'.
Campbell added: "One hour you can be unpacking landmark legal cases, the next you're hearing about the psychology behind gaslighting, before finishing the day exploring cinema and climate change. That's what makes Pints of Knowledge different.
"This is just the beginning. We've seen an incredible response across the UK, and we're excited to build on that by bringing Pints of Knowledge to more cities across the country.”
Pints of Knowledge takes place at The Wardrobe in Leeds on Sunday 9 August, and you can get your tickets here.
Josh Teal -
4th June 2021 
