Latest News
December 2025
End of year updates
As well as celebrating Christmas, we also celebrate the 20 year anniversary of starting work with Karis for Helen Bell, lead worker for Karis BeFriends (KBF). Helen has led this project since she started here, working to support our older community to help them flourish in later life. We congratulate you Helen!
This month we received funding from Leeds Building Society (Children and Families Work), GJW Turner Trust (KBF) and Roughley Trust (KBF). We were delighted to have had the chance to meet with trustees from three local charities last month, who attended on a joint visit to meet our Chief Executive, fundraiser, and two project leads. All three charities subsequently provided funds to us - we are so appreciative!
Our staff team had a fantastic away day this month followed by Christmas lunch and games, discussing the challenges we are seeing in the communities, what we are doing to help support people and how we might do this in the future. These discussions will feed into our next three year plan which will develop over the coming months.
Lastly for this year, we must announce the retirement of Helen Watts, who has been leading the Listening and Guidance work for many years. This team has grown to four Chaplains and supports patients of seven local GP practices who are facing mental health challenges, particularly around loss. It is a highly effective and valuable service and we thank Helen for her amazing leadership and guidance.
End of year updates
As well as celebrating Christmas, we also celebrate the 20 year anniversary of starting work with Karis for Helen Bell, lead worker for Karis BeFriends (KBF). Helen has led this project since she started here, working to support our older community to help them flourish in later life. We congratulate you Helen!
This month we received funding from Leeds Building Society (Children and Families Work), GJW Turner Trust (KBF) and Roughley Trust (KBF). We were delighted to have had the chance to meet with trustees from three local charities last month, who attended on a joint visit to meet our Chief Executive, fundraiser, and two project leads. All three charities subsequently provided funds to us - we are so appreciative!
Our staff team had a fantastic away day this month followed by Christmas lunch and games, discussing the challenges we are seeing in the communities, what we are doing to help support people and how we might do this in the future. These discussions will feed into our next three year plan which will develop over the coming months.
Lastly for this year, we must announce the retirement of Helen Watts, who has been leading the Listening and Guidance work for many years. This team has grown to four Chaplains and supports patients of seven local GP practices who are facing mental health challenges, particularly around loss. It is a highly effective and valuable service and we thank Helen for her amazing leadership and guidance.