Leeds Irish Health and Homes http://www.lihh.org Tue, 08 May 2012 14:23:54 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Laing O’Rourke donate their time and money to LIHH http://www.lihh.org/laing-orourke-donate-their-time-and-money-to-lihh?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=laing-orourke-donate-their-time-and-money-to-lihh http://www.lihh.org/laing-orourke-donate-their-time-and-money-to-lihh#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 14:15:23 +0000 jennywhisker http://www.lihh.org/?p=1131 We continue to be overwhelmed by the support Laing O’Rourke have shown our charity.  The staff were incredible during our ‘trek’ to Ballina in March and we covered nearly 800 miles in one day.   That was just the beginning of our very special relationship with this company.  Inspired by seeing the work we do, we were invited to meet Ray O’Rourke the Chairman and Chief Executive of Laing O’Rourke.  He gave us the opportunity to talk about the work we do and very kindly pledged his continuing support.  Since that meeting they’ve gone on to raise a substantial sum of money for us, enough for  us to run a weekly luncheon group for a year.

We were thrilled to welcome Dan, John and Helen from Laing O’Rourke to our Friday Club last week.  They presented us with the donation and said some very kind words about the work we do.    It was an emotional afternoon and the clients, volunteers and staff of LIHH were very moved to know that we’re held in such high regard by a company like Laing O’Rourke.     We want to say a special thank you to Faye Jenkins who has been at the forefront of building this wonderful friendship.  We’re already looking forward to our next fundraising venture!

 

Clients of LIHH say thanks to Laing O'Rourke for their generous donation

 

 

]]> http://www.lihh.org/laing-orourke-donate-their-time-and-money-to-lihh/feed 0 A thank you message from Leeds LINk… http://www.lihh.org/a-thank-you-message-from-leeds-link?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-thank-you-message-from-leeds-link http://www.lihh.org/a-thank-you-message-from-leeds-link#comments Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:00:08 +0000 jennywhisker http://www.lihh.org/?p=1121 Leeds LINk would like to thank everyone who came to speak to us at the LIHH St Patricks Day Party on 12th March at St Chads.  Your views are really valuable and we received some good feedback on the day.  The main theme of the questions was around people’s experiences of being able to make an appointment with their GP.  We had quite a wide ranging response to this issue and will be using all the information received as part of our research into this topic.

We also asked people to give us their top issue out of the ones that we are currently looking at and Care Homes came out as the most important for people.  We are currently doing a piece of work with Care Homes to look at making sure residents and relatives are given a voice and are able to have a say about their care and support.  We will keep you informed about this work

We also had people expressing interest in the work we are doing with young people and hospital food.  If anyone is interested in getting involved in either of these areas we would love to hear from you.   We are hoping to hold a focus group for young people on 21st April and a hospital food training session on 25th April.

If you are interested in attending either of these please contact us by email at leeds.link@shaw-trust.org.uk or telephone us on 0113 3885099.  We will pay any out of pocket expenses for people to attend either of these sessions.

Once again thank you for giving us your feedback, it is valuable in helping us to make health and social care services better for the people of Leeds.

Sharanjit Boughan

Community Development Officer, Leeds LINk

 

 

 

 

]]> http://www.lihh.org/a-thank-you-message-from-leeds-link/feed 0 Tributes to Kathy http://www.lihh.org/tributes-to-kathy?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tributes-to-kathy http://www.lihh.org/tributes-to-kathy#comments Tue, 20 Mar 2012 08:26:26 +0000 jennywhisker http://www.lihh.org/?p=1075

Kathy

 

 

There are so many people who were deeply saddened to hear about Kathy passing away.  This space has been created for people to share their thoughts and memories of Kathy.  If you would like to add a tribute to this page please email jenny@lihh.org

Kathy was the first person I ever spoke to at LIHH when I called requesting a job application form over two years ago. When she picked up the phone it was obvious she had just finished laughing at something in the office and it gave me the first impression that LIHH sounded like a friendly bunch.  Dan

What can I say about our Kathy! Warm, bubbly, softie oh and you couldn’t get a word in‘edge ways’… Full of character, Kathy had a fantastic personality,  always friendly with a welcoming smile, she would listen to anyone’s problems and have time for you. The office is never going to be the same without her,always in our hearts and thoughts, she will never be forgotten and will be extremely missed.  RIP Kathy, love ya!          Emma

To LIHH staff, thinking of you at this difficult time.  Kathy touched the hearts of many who had the pleasure of meeting and working with her.  I will miss her greatly.  Love and hugs, Jonathan

So sorry to hear about Kathy, my thoughts and prayers to you all at this very sad time. May she rest in peace, love from Suzanne

R I P Kathy Cooke, you were such a lovely, warm and caring person. I will miss your softly voice ! With deepest sympathy to the family & friends. Mary Cosgrove Xxx

Arriving to my job interview five years ago, Kathy put me at ease straight away with her warm, friendly personality.  Noticing how nervous I was she made me a cup of tea and in her ‘Kathy style’ we all came to love she said ‘Don’t worry love, you’ll be absolutely fine. There was something truly reassuring and genuine about Kathy’s voice that put you at ease. She had a wicked sense of humour and it was sometimes difficult to pick up the phones whilst on office duty, as you were struggling not to laugh.  Kathy had a big heart and a big personality and she will be truly missed.  Rest in Peace, Love Terry

‘Hiya Love’  was the familiar greeting when I arrived in the office, followed by our chats about the weekend and lots of laughing.  Everyone recognised that distinctive voice and we’re lost without her.  Rest in peace, we miss you.               Jenny

Very sad news, she will be greatly missed.  Laura Hutchman
Really sad, she was so vivacious and made office duty fun, she was a really great listener too. Such a loss, good night ole blue eyes x  Eileen Laurent
Kathy was the first person I spoke with when went to LIHH for my interview.  I was a bag of nerves! Kathy was a great distraction, so warm, attentive and funny.  When I left the office I couldn’t forget this vibrant lady and the kindness she had shown me, a point which I later shared with her after starting work with LIHH.  I always wanted Kathy’s warm nurturing nature to be the blueprint for how I met other individuals.  She was such a natural.  I will miss her very very much and I will always remember our first encounter and the kindness she showed me which gave me the confidence to give it my best at interview.   Andrea
R I P Kathy Cooke .xx god bless her xx my condolences to her family ..xx  Eileen Skelly Booth
:-( Kathy Cooke – LIHH LEGEND. God bless, and best wishes to all at this sad time xxx  Lindsay Duffy
Life can be so unfair sometimes and this is definitely one of those times. I’m not really sure where to begin. How can a few words be enough!  Kathy was truly unique. She was larger than life on so many different levels. A huge character. Loved by everyone who met her. Kathy was kind and generous to the end. Once I called the office in a panic as I’d forgotten to pay book club man. She was quick to come to my rescue! The same happened with the lottery money. ‘Pay me when you see me’ became a well known phrase between us.
I was looking forward to coming into work and seeing Kathy whilst on maternity. Who’s going to be that smiling, welcoming bubbly person when you walk through the office doors?
Tenants who’d never met Kathy but only spoken to her on the phone used to comment about the ‘lovely northern Irish lady’ who’d answer. I’d always want her to answer. I loved our chats. A great way to start and finish the day. I’ll miss them.
May you rest in peace lovely girl.
X  Liz
Until December 2011 I knew nothing about Leeds Irish Health and Homes.  Imagine my delight when I was introduced to this amazing organisation by Kathy.  After I nervously introduced myself as the next student social worker, she smiled and told me I was going to love it here.  She was so right. But sadly there is one thing I will regret.  I would have loved to have got to know her better.  That will now have to wait until another time and place.  Rest in peace darling Kathy.
Sorry to hear this news. R.I.P. Kathy.  Jerome Mc Kenna
]]> http://www.lihh.org/tributes-to-kathy/feed 0 A sad farewell to our Kathy http://www.lihh.org/a-sad-farewell-to-our-kathy?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-sad-farewell-to-our-kathy http://www.lihh.org/a-sad-farewell-to-our-kathy#comments Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:38:20 +0000 jennywhisker http://www.lihh.org/?p=1072 We are deeply saddened at LIHH to announce the loss of Kathy Cooke, our Administration officer who passed away on Saturday 17th March 2012. Kathy was familiar to the public as the voice of LIHH and her easy and jovial manner was the true starting point for many people’s contact with our organisation. She espoused our values of greeting people with a warm heart and open ear!! She will be very sadly missed and we are very upset at her untimely death.

Kathy was with the organisation from 2006 where she became part of our ‘family’ providing colleagues, Board members and clients alike with lasting and loving memories.

With the approval of her family, LIHH is placing a tribute space to Kathy on our website to show what she meant to us.

Ant Hanlon

 

]]> http://www.lihh.org/a-sad-farewell-to-our-kathy/feed 0 We got to Ballina and back (almost!) http://www.lihh.org/we-got-to-ballina-and-back-almost?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=we-got-to-ballina-and-back-almost http://www.lihh.org/we-got-to-ballina-and-back-almost#comments Sat, 17 Mar 2012 09:50:21 +0000 jennywhisker http://www.lihh.org/?p=1056 Thank you to everyone who supported our ‘trek’ to Ballina.  We had a fantastic day in the Virgin Active gym in The Light, Leeds.  The first runner from Laing O’Rourke arrived at 6am and lots more followed.   The amount of support we got was overwhelming.  Many of the runners from Trinity Leeds and the Laing O’Rourke supply chain did half marathons and then went to work!!!!  We had reached our 400  mile target by 11 o’clock and we kept going until we reached 650 miles!

It was a wonderful day and all the money raised will help us support our community in Leeds.

We have lots of people to thank including:

  • all the participants who did us proud and covered a massive distance
  • Dan Doherty, John Salvini and Faye Jenkins from Laing O’Rourke, without their support this event would not have happened
  • The Trinity Leeds team and the Laing O’Rourke supply chain, there were so many people there from all sorts of companies, boys and girls you did us proud!
  • Virgin Active gym, Darran, Paul, Adam and all the other staff made us feel very welcome and kept us going for the day
  • Slainte Ireland Tours, Jim and Gemma and the group who met in Ballina to walk the last mile.  It means a lot to our clients to know that there are people back home who care about them. Thanks to Richenda Barrett who took all the photos
  • The Lord Mayor of Leeds for stopping by to show his support
  • The volunteers, clients and staff of LIHH who were a great help on the day
  • Simon Duncan and Simon Richardson from Electroville
  • Jim and Andrea Mc Kenna for their continued support
  • Donna Shine and Bewleys Hotel for their sponsorship
  • Suzanne Wallace and her dance school for performing and keeping spirits up
  • Irish Arts Foundation for the live music and Des even got his trainers on!
  • Bagel Nash for giving us a discount on the catering
  • The businesses and individuals that sponsored us

 

]]> http://www.lihh.org/we-got-to-ballina-and-back-almost/feed 0 Western People Newspaper support our sponsored walk! http://www.lihh.org/western-people-newspaper-support-our-sponsored-walk?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=western-people-newspaper-support-our-sponsored-walk http://www.lihh.org/western-people-newspaper-support-our-sponsored-walk#comments Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:03:03 +0000 jennywhisker http://www.lihh.org/?p=1051 WESTERN PEOPLE SUPPORT LIHH SPONSORED WALK

Thanks to the Western People Newspaper for supporting our sponsored walk to Ballina.  The following article will feature in the next edition of their newspaper…

An Irish welfare charity, based in England, is tackling the 400 mile distance from Leeds to Ballina in one day!  Leeds Irish Health and Homes (LIHH) were at the forefront of organising the official friendship link between Leeds and Ballina while they were the Lord Mayor’s Charity last year.  They’re doing this sponsored walk (in a gym inLeeds) to build on the link between Mayo and its people abroad.

Jenny Whisker from LIHH was part of the delegation that visited Ballina with the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Leeds, Councillors Jim and Andrea Mc Kenna.  She got the idea for the event when she realised what a fantastic walking destination Ballina is. She hopes it will get bigger and better in the future with the support of locals in Ballina.  If LIHH get enough interest in the event this year then they will consider doing the walk for real in 2013, which would be a great way of promoting Mayo as a walking destination!

The Leeds branch of Laing O’Rourke, the engineering and construction company, are putting their best feet forward are taking on over 200 miles of the journey, with the staff, clients and volunteers at LIHH making up the rest of the distance

Slainte Ireland Tours are leading the last mile home to Ballina and are inviting people to join them at the main car park at Belleek Woods at 1pm this Friday, 16th of March for a walk around the woods.  You don’t need to commit to fundraising to take part; your choice to walk that mile for the emigrants in Leeds is all that counts.

Jim Henry from Slainte Ireland Tours was delighted to be asked to lead the final mile in Ballina

‘Those people abroad sacrificed so much and worked hard to send money back home.  Walking this mile is our way of saying thanks and that we acknowledge the contribution they’ve made to our community’

Speaking to the Western People, Jenny from LIHH stressed the importance of getting the people of Ballina involved

‘This event is more than a fundraiser, it’s about showing our clients that people back home still care about them. The last mile walked in Ballina is hugely significant for our clients.  It’s symbolic really, it shows that the people of Mayo still think of their family and friends abroad and are concerned about their welfare.”

For more information about the mile walk in Ballina contact Jim Henry at SlainteIrelandtours on 00 353 87 2144483.

To make a donation click here

 

 

 

 

]]> http://www.lihh.org/western-people-newspaper-support-our-sponsored-walk/feed 0 Get to the client party for the free prize draw! http://www.lihh.org/get-to-the-client-party-for-the-free-prize-draw?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=get-to-the-client-party-for-the-free-prize-draw http://www.lihh.org/get-to-the-client-party-for-the-free-prize-draw#comments Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:22:07 +0000 jennywhisker http://www.lihh.org/?p=1044 Leeds LINk (Local Involvement Network) is holding a free prize draw at the LIHH Client Party for St Patricks Day (Monday 12th March)   They will also be having a free tombola and be giving away a range of prizes.

For a chance to be entered into the prize draw or have a go on the tombola Leeds Link would like to hear your views on your health and social care services in Leeds.  They are particularly interested to find out about your experiences and views on the following topics:

  • GP Appointments
  • Hospital Food
  • Care Homes
  • Issues for Young People

Your views are really important and will help to make things better and shape services in the future.  So please come along to the party and speak to Leeds Link.

We look forward to seeing you there.

To  book your place at the party please contact LIHH on 0113 262 5614

 

]]> http://www.lihh.org/get-to-the-client-party-for-the-free-prize-draw/feed 0 LIHH Win Mayo Award http://www.lihh.org/lihh-win-prestigious-award?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lihh-win-prestigious-award http://www.lihh.org/lihh-win-prestigious-award#comments Mon, 05 Mar 2012 13:18:05 +0000 jennywhisker http://www.lihh.org/?p=1036 Leeds Irish Health and Homes has won the Mayo Association of Manchester Award.    The Award was presented to LIHH in recognition of the support services that our organisation has delivered to the Irish community in Leeds.

Ant Hanlon, Chief Executive of LIHH and Geraldine Ryan, Director of Operations attended the Mayo Association Dinner to pick up the award.

Speaking at the event Ant said

‘We feel honoured to accept such a wonderful award on behalf of all the workers at LIHH, past and present, who have been committed to delivering the best service possible to the Irish community in Leeds.  It’s heartening to know that work has been recognised by the Mayo community in Manchester’

Thank you to the Officers and Committee of the Manchester Mayo Association for being such wonderful hosts and for the prestigious award.

 

Ant receiving award at Mayo Association of Manchester Dinner

Ant Hanlon, Chief Exec of LIHH receives award at Mayo Association of Manchester Dinner

]]> http://www.lihh.org/lihh-win-prestigious-award/feed 0 Celebrating the achievements of 2011 http://www.lihh.org/celebrating-the-achievements-of-2011?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=celebrating-the-achievements-of-2011 http://www.lihh.org/celebrating-the-achievements-of-2011#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:04:38 +0000 jennywhisker http://www.lihh.org/?p=1011 We have just published our 2011 annual report and we’re sure you’ll want to take a peak.  It’s a wonderful memoir of our year as the Lord Mayor’s Charity and it was nice to have the opportunity to thank all of you who got involved and supported our fundraising efforts.  If you would us to post you a copy of the report please contact us.

 

 

 

 

]]> http://www.lihh.org/celebrating-the-achievements-of-2011/feed 0 HELP US WALK 400 MILES! http://www.lihh.org/help-us-walk-400-miles?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=help-us-walk-400-miles http://www.lihh.org/help-us-walk-400-miles#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:57:53 +0000 jennywhisker http://www.lihh.org/?p=991

We’re doing the 400 miles distance from Leeds to Ballina, Ireland IN ONE DAY!

LIHH are working in partnership with Laing O’Rourke to take on this mammoth distance in one day.  Virgin Active Health Club are hosting the event in their amazing gym.

Each person who takes part will get free access to Virgin Active in the Light for the remainder of March.

When?

Friday, 16th of March, 2012

Where?

Virgin Active Gym, The Light,Leeds

How does it work?

You choose whether you want to walk, run, cycle or row and you decide what distance you

can do. It’s a combined effort and we need plenty of people to reach our target of 400 miles. You log your distance in advance and get moving in March!

How do I get involved?

You can do this as a team (maybe take on 30 miles as a team?) or an individual. LIHH will set up the fundraising page.

Call Jenny to find out more and log your distance or email jenny@lihh.org

 Click here for full event details.

 

PLEASE DONATE NOW

 

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