Groundworks hosted our Big Leeds Chats in Morley over three days. As well as popping into the courses going on at Men in Sheds and Women in Sheds, we ventured out onto the streets of Morley and called into the Arts Festival.
65 people joined us for our Big Leeds Chats in Morley. What did people say in Morley?
People in Morley told us about the trouble they had had accessing health and care more than anything else. Although it wasn’t universal, people often felt it was very difficult to get through to GP surgeries (let alone secure a face-to-face appointment), especially when they weren’t internet users. Occasionally, people felt GP receptionists were obstructive, and noted that they had heard about others going to A&E because primary care hadn’t attended to them. Long waiting lists for specialist treatment have also taken their toll on some.
Isolation was another key pandemic experience for people in Morley. The locals with mental health needs who chatted with us often felt remote provision hadn’t given them as much support as they needed. Having the chance to connect with others around shared activities is an important way of staying happy and well for Morley residents.
There was also a strong sense that there needs to be more for young people and families to do. The wider context to this, as people described it to us, was that Morley didn’t have enough to bring locals of all ages together as a community. People were tired of antisocial behaviour (which they sometimes linked to children not having enough to keep them busy) and petty crime, but also of a high-street that was losing its shops and appeal. Other ways in which people felt shared space could be improved were more regular and reliable bin collections, less congestion and fewer cars parked on pavements.
When people do have the chance to get together and feel part of local life, it can clearly make a difference to their lives.
What next steps for Morley did this chat inspire in our decision-makers?
“Need more opportunities for people to discuss mental health. Consider how we work better to get people to be able to access opportunities to be social and outside. Work closer with social prescribing and more community events to showcase groups etc.”
“Supporting GP practices to increase availability and increase access to those that need.”
