Member Article

Property people make a difference at LEEDS MENCAP

A total of 29 people from property company Morgans, have spent a day volunteering at local charity LEEDS MENCAP, which supports children and adults with learning disabilities from its City Centre base at The Vinery Centre on Vinery Terrace and through a residential home in Chapel Allerton. It’s the second year that the Morgans team, who are based at offices on Dock Street in Leeds City Centre and Otley Road in Headingley, have lent a helping hand at the charity. This year the dedicated volunteers painted the charity’s reception area and sensory room, cleaned all of the chairs, windows, the ball pool and balls as well as jet washing the path and outside areas. A dedicated and patient group sorted through all of the jigsaws, counting the pieces, and the heating and cooling system was also reprogrammed to be more efficient. Managing Director of Morgans, Jonathan Morgan, says: “Over the years we have volunteered to support lots of community projects including refurbishing the St George’s Crypt shop on Armley Town Street, bag packing at supermarkets to raise money for the charity, as well as tidying up the Hollin Lane Allotments in Meanwood, which are supported by Leeds Community Foundation. “As we have such a big team we can really make a difference in just one day. Everyone worked hard and it was great to see what a change we were able to make at LEEDS MENCAP. I have always been a big believer in supporting Leeds charities and helping those people in Leeds who really need it, and by giving our team a specific volunteering day, we get a huge amount of buy-in. It was clear that everyone relished the opportunity to take part with the team putting lots of effort in.” Bernie Gahan, from LEEDS MENCAP, says: “To see so many people give up their time and energy to help us was really heartening. At LEEDS MENCAP we provide services and activities to improve the lives and opportunities of children and adults with a learning disability in Leeds, along with their families and carers. We need to raise all our own funds as we are a completely independent charity that was set up 60 years ago by and for the people of Leeds. This means we are incredibly reliant on donations, and the support provided by Jonathan and his team was invaluable.” In addition to the volunteering projects, Jonathan Morgan is a trustee of Leeds Community Foundation and founded the organisation’s 100 Club, which is a special patronage scheme for people who want to make a difference in Leeds. He also helped to set up a property development company, with a board of directors that consists of some of the city’s leading property and construction experts, to support St George’s Crypt. The St George’s Crypt Development Company now plans to develop homes and community facilities for homeless and disadvantaged people throughout Leeds.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Mortimer .