Little London community group's future at stake

Little London - can you help to make it a better place?

It's one of Leeds' more deprived inner-city areas but that's only one side of the story.

Little London has had its fair share of problems in recent years with drugs, crime and various forms of anti-social behaviour.

It also has lots of hard-working volunteers who strive to engender some community spirit.

However, sometimes the pool of volunteers needs replenishing, as without them, such spirit can die.

Now, a local councillor believes urgent action is needed to secure the future of a community group in Little London.

Councillor Penny Ewens (Lib Dem, Hyde Park & Woodhouse) is urging Little London residents to give up some of their time to help the troubled organisation.

Existing volunteers at Community Action Little London and Servias (CALLS) are struggling to continue after almost decade of delivering projects such as an annual fun day, teatime clubs, gardening services, cookery courses and theatre shows.

Councillor Ewens has worked with CALLS for a number of years and supports its aims to improve the environment, deter crime and encourage a sense of community.

After the current management committee was dissolved at a special AGM, existing volunteers backed Cllr Ewens' calls to establish a temporary team to look after the group while local people try to set up a new permanent committee.

Anyone interested in having a say about the future of the group is invited to join residents and councillors at a meeting at 3pm on Thursday 16 September 2010, in Carlton Croft, opposite the Little London Community Centre.

Cllr Ewens stated the case for volunteering:

"Over the years the hard working volunteers from CALLS have done some fantastic work in Little London. I want to thank them for their dedication to the community and to making life better for those who live there. It would be a very sad day indeed if the group's activities had to come to a permanent end.

"This is a great opportunity for new volunteers to come forward with fresh ideas. We'd love to hear from anyone who is interested in setting up a new group, promoting an existing activity or getting involved in the management committee. Come along to the meeting next week and get involved!

"As part of the upcoming PFI project in Little London, a brand new community centre will be opening. It would be a wonderful result if a new CALLS management committee was one the voluntary groups organising activities there."