Burley residents explore their community’s green heritage with Better Leeds Communities.

Better Leeds Communities wants to make our city a better place to live for everyone. They offer a wide range of advice, activities, and courses to improve employability, provide sustained support to families and reduce child poverty in the city’s communities.

In 2024, Better Leeds Communities established ‘Walk and Talk’, a new weekly walking group set up to tackle social isolation and support Burley residents in accessing their local park.   

Setting off from the well-known Burley Lodge Centre, these walking sessions saw up to eleven residents come together each week to connect with their neighbours, exercise, and learn more about their community’s heritage.  

The group was a resounding success. Better Leeds Communities forged new connections with Friends of Burley Park who provided a tour focussing on the park’s history and Sam, Leeds Sanctuary Wellbeing Practitioner, who introduced walkers to the practise of mindful photography.  For participants, new friendships were formed, with participants even teaming up to take part in a scavenger hunt one week, and photos celebrating the neighbourhood are still shared between walkers today in a group WhatsApp.

“I thought the walking group was a success. It was a great opportunity to meet new people and chat about anything and everything. A good way to make new friendships with people you don’t normally meet. The mindful photography was also a big hit with everyone, allowing people to see the beauty in things they wouldn’t normally see. It was a great fun way to get some exercise and out in the fresh air too.”

“Honestly, it was a wonderful and enjoyable experience full of fun. I enjoyed a lot, especially the section on taking and sharing photos and the nice competitions in finding things. It was a unique experience that brought me back memories of the beautiful past. No matter how much I write, I will not be able to express it.”

This activity was funded by Love Leeds Parks through our Community Parks Activity Grants scheme. This scheme was made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and with thanks to National Lottery Players.