We visited a vaccine clinic at Fairfield Community Centre for our Big Leeds Chat in Bramley, Wortley & Middleton.
We met 51 people during our Big Leeds Chat. What did people say in Bramley?
People in Bramley have had real trouble getting in touch with the GP over the pandemic, and they’ve been particularly concerned that face-to-face appointments haven’t been available. Phone contact just hasn’t measured up to seeing the doctor in person for many of the people who chatted with us.
This has contributed, for a few people, to a feeling of being left to cope alone – although it’s worth pointing out that when help has been given to people during lockdowns, it has been very warmly received.
A lot of the people we chatted with in Bramley told us their mental and physical health wasn’t good, and in some cases made worse by isolation and anxieties around catching COVID.
One of the things people most commonly told us they would like to see in Bramley is more services for children and young people. Some people believe this dearth of things to do is a contributing factor to the antisocial behaviour that came up in a lot of people’s comments. Antisocial behaviour also has the knock-on effect of making some families reluctant to let their kids go out. Crime – including knife crime and drug-dealing – is something the people of Bramley are keenly aware of.
More people in Bramley than elsewhere explained how their house wasn’t right for them, and some described how it was hard to get the Council to solve this issue.
A lot of people said they would benefit from a better bus service in Bramley, and there was a real outcry that benches where locals could once rest and relax had been taken away.
What next steps for Bramley did this chat inspire in our decision-makers?
“I think we really need to make clear to the population what all the services are/what they are called, what they can/can’t treat. Back to basics. Also people still have no idea what primary care networks are. Concepts like the BLC are a godsend.”
“Improving public transport. Would like more shops filled in the Bramley retail park and better integration of communities.”
“Not enough facilities in Bramley for young people e.g. bowling, sports centre & snooker”
