East Side Story

28/10/2024

Fireworks spectacular is set to take place on November 2nd!

Thousands of people are expected at next month’s Autumn Lights event in East Leeds, with organisers promising “the biggest fireworks spectacular the city has ever seen.” Autumn Lights is the UK’s largest touring firework spectacular and includes live music and other attractions to keep the c...

26/10/2024

If you have ever wondered what it was like to be a councillor, then our interview takes a peek behind the curtain:

Being a councillor is a very unique and varied role, and no two days are the same. It is one of the most important roles in local democracy as councillors serve various communities and people within their ward.  East Side Story caught up with councillor Katie Dye to get a behind-the-scenes look at ...

25/10/2024

East Side Story is dedicated to empowering and uplifting the community through community journalism workshops taught for FREE at various organisations. Here's one of the latest ones we did at the Thackray.

In a celebration of grassroots media, the Thackray Medical Museum became a hub for emerging citizen journalists to share the untold stories of their local communities. The Community Late event brought together diverse communities in a celebration of local talent and culture on Saturday September 21s...

24/10/2024

Feel the rhythm this Saturday at the African Caribbean evening!

Feel the Rhythm: African Caribbean Evening To Lights Up Leeds Get ready for an evening of vibrant music, dance, and culture at the ‘Wholeness & Unity Showcase,’ an African Caribbean Evening celebrating the best of Afro-Caribbean sounds and rhythms. This free event, packed with live performances ...

23/10/2024

Could you offer a home to a refugee? Find out more tomorrow (on October 24th):

Refugees at Home, in collaboration with Leeds City of Sanctuary and Horsforth Town of Sanctuary, is hosting an in-person information session to encourage more people to consider becoming hosts for refugees and asylum seekers. The event aims to raise awareness about the ongoing need for safe accommod...

22/10/2024

A new social club for seniors has been launched in Harehills. Check out our story to find out more!

A community sports facility in East Leeds is expanding its services to provide a vital lifeline for elderly residents. The Junior Sports Hub has launched an elderly social care club aimed at combating loneliness, isolation, and mental health issues among older adults. The new initiative comes in res...

21/10/2024

Got a coat to spare? Zero waste leeds seeks winter coat donations as temperatures drop

Zero Waste Leeds has kicked off its annual Winter Coat Appeal, urging residents across the city to donate good-quality second-hand winter coats and clothing. With key donation points in East Leeds, the campaign aims to ensure families stay warm without the added financial strain during the colder mo...

19/10/2024

Local artists have created a series of sculptures in honour of British abstract artist Sir Terry Frost

Leeds artist Amelia Frances Wood has created a series of five ceramic sculptures entitled ‘Forged In The Muddy Beck’ which sit within a new ‘rain courtyard’ in The Terry Frost Building, a student building in the city. British abstract artist Sir Terry Frost taught at the Leeds school of Art ...

18/10/2024

After a summer of riots, the community of East Leeds puts on a show of unity and resilience!

Football Tournament Builds Bridges After Unrest In the wake of the unrest that shook Harehills earlier this summer, a community football tournament aimed at promoting unity took place at Harehills Park. Held on Saturday, September 21st, the game brought together twelve teams in an effort to promote....

16/10/2024

Community safety takes centre stage in Leeds at grassroots event

East Leeds Event Explores Community-Driven Safety Models Activists and local leaders from across East Leeds gathered at the Thackray Museum of Medicine to discuss radical new approaches to community safety in the area. The Community Safety Reimagined event featured speakers and interactive workshops...

15/10/2024

Hey everyone!

Our new website - https://eastsidestory.co.uk/ is now live! Our new website includes our latest stories, Editors picks, a What's On section and location-specific news in East Leeds!

Please share widely and spread the word!

If there are any stories which you think should be featured on our brand new website, please get in touch!

https://eastsidestory.co.uk/

30/09/2024

Swillington Primary School has been praised in recent Ofsted reports

Swillington Primary School continues to be a good school, Ofsted inspectors have said. The ‘exemplary’ behaviour of pupils is praised, along with the ‘ambitious and challenging cu…

27/09/2024

You could help play an important role in the future of mental health services in East Leeds. Check out our story below
https://buff.ly/3Xqiuwr

The views of people from East Leeds with physical disabilities and who have received care from a UK crisis, or inpatient mental health service, are being sought for a study. From the limited resear…

26/09/2024

Free event that includes inspirational panellists sharing their lived experiences and vision, with plenty of time for interactive participation
A few tickets left
The event offers us an opportunity to rethink public safety by fostering community-driven approaches that challenge structural inequalities and harmful policing practices.
Discussions will focus on empowering local residents and providing alternatives to current safety models.

Written by Janine GriffithsEdited by Natalie TharraleosAs debates around police reform intensify, a new event aims to offer community-driven alternatives to public safety. The Community Safety Reim…

25/09/2024

Do you enjoy playing football in Leeds? If so, we've got some good news
https://buff.ly/3B3HPon

Work is under way on two new community football pitches. The full-size grass pitches are taking shape on council-owned land at Whinmoor Grange in east Leeds, close to the Arium horticultural nurser…

23/09/2024

Find out whether there are some developments in your local area that impact you. https://buff.ly/3ME9UVX

Each week we publish a list of the latest planning applications related to the four council wards in inner East Leeds. The following applications were published on the Leeds City Council website in…

20/09/2024

Have your say! Residents in Burmantofts have a unique opportunity to have their say in developments taking place in the area. Check out our story below to find out more.

A consultationto give East Leeds residents their say n plans to improve the route along Burmantofts Street and Beckett Street The route connects the city centre to St James’s Hospital and the neigh…

18/09/2024

Do you want to make a difference to the lives of young children in Harehills?
A Harehills based charity is currently seeking volunteers for their 'Let's Read' programme.

If you or someone you know is interested - please pass on the information below:

by Eva Peros A Harehills charity is looking for volunteers to help boost literacy and language skills among children from some of the most deprived areas in Leeds. Led by Community Learning Pa…

16/09/2024

Addiction can have a devastating impact on the people involved. However, what gives some people inspiration is hearing about the healing journeys of those who came out the other side.

We have featured the emotional story of Ross who has recovered from a cycle of drug abuse, and shoplifting, and now shares his story via Miranda Arieh.

By Miranda Arieh This is Ross. Ross has been living with me since April, coming off he**in and crack, which he ended up funding via a vicious cycle of shoplifting, in a desperate bid to avoid withd…

15/09/2024

Family friendly celebration of East Leeds talent

Hi! My name is Ezra and I’m the Community Co-Producer at Thackray Museum of Medicine in Harehills. My role is to work with local communities on our exhibitions and events programme, as well as to m…

13/09/2024

East Leeds invests in its future!
https://buff.ly/3Zldb3T

It is now 15 months since East Leeds-based Fenton Packaging Solutions announced its Management Buy Out. During the previous year, the company had relocated to a 65,000 sq.ft. site at Kinetic 45 in …

12/09/2024

The winter fuel payment cuts is shaping up to be one of Labour's most unpopular policy to date. However, one East Leeds based MP voted against it. What do you think of the winter fuel payment cuts? https://buff.ly/4d2OsEw

Leeds East MP Richard Burgon has spoken out after voting against Labour’s cuts to the winter fuel allowance. The Labour government yesterday held off a backbench rebellion over plans to …

03/09/2024

Social Media paid opportunity with East Side Story ( Basic rate for 2 hours per week for Autumn term)

Have you got a passion for East Leeds & Harehills being able to shape our own news and celebrate our own community?
Are you local to East Leeds?

East Side story is an on line independent news outlet set up to
For people of East Leeds to tell and share our own news and stories, on our terms.

To celebrate and showcase our events, activities and culture
Share information, inspiration, guidance and advice from local people, projects and services, that represent our whole community
We're looking for someone who shares our values to do a few hours per week with us in a social media role

If you're interested please contact us to apply via
[email protected]

29/08/2024

Catch Ross speaking about his journey of recovery on the BBC today

By Miranda Arieh This is Ross. Ross has been living with me since April, coming off he**in and crack, which he ended up funding via a vicious cycle of shoplifting, in a desperate bid to avoid withd…

29/08/2024

"Most people just want some unity and peace in their community and that is what we are promoting.”

For many in Leeds, the end of summer is marked by one unmissable event: the Leeds West Indian carnival.  With its pulsating rhythms and stunning parades, this year’s carnival was not just a sh…