Latest news with #SalmaArif
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Free period products on offer at Leeds leisure centres
Free reusable period products are being handed out at leisure centres across Leeds over the coming poverty charity Freedom 4 Girls and Active Leeds have teamed up to give out items such as reusable pads at centres across the city throughout May, June and will be encouraged to swap their disposable products for sustainable ones, with donated items used to stock the leisure centres' period two pilot events held earlier this year more than 200 free sustainable products were handed out and 100 packets of disposable products were donated. Leeds City Council said one in 10 girls in the UK cannot afford period products, and a lack of access can mean missing school, work and physical O'Byrne, from Freedom 4 Girls, said she hoped the events would help remove the barriers around talking about periods. She said: "The main reason [behind the initiative] is that it starts the conversation about periods, menstruation, what it means to be a menstruating person, and the fact that there should be period products available anywhere there is toilet roll"Its been so gorgeous the amount of people who have turned up [at the pilot events] and heard what was going on."It has been really well received. Not just by mums and adult women, but men, dads and young people have also got involved." Salma Arif, the council's executive member for adult social care, active social care, active lifestyles and culture said: "It's more than just access to reusable and sustainable period products, it's about normalising conversations, building confidence and ensuring no one is left behind because of their period." Events are taking place at the following locations: Kirkstall Leisure Centre – 21 MayArmley Leisure Centre – 22 MayGarforth Leisure Centre – 11 JuneRothwell Leisure Centre – 12 JuneMiddleton Leisure Centre – 25 JunePudsey Leisure Centre – 26 JuneScott Hall Leisure Centre – 9 JulyFearnville Leisure Centre – 10 JulyJohn Smeaton Leisure Centre – 16 JulyMorley Leisure Centre – 17 July Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
21-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
Inside Abbey House: how can the museum's future be secured?
For 873 years, Grade II-listed Abbey House has stood in the shadow of Kirkstall Abbey, three miles west of Leeds city centre. Since 1927, the museum has afforded a window into Victorian Yorkshire, but last year it was threatened with closure amid a notable decline in visitors over the past three from campaigners forced the council to u-turn on the proposals, but with visitor numbers estimated at 39,000 in 2023/24, councillors are exploring how to ensure the museum's long-term future. "In an ever-growing world of Netflix and social media, you have got to constantly find ways to get people's attention and get them through the door," says Salma Arif, of Leeds City Council. On a tour of the attraction, Arif enthused over "the inter-generational interaction", as grandparents and grandchildren enjoyed the museum's half-term activities. "As soon as you walk in, it is like you're in a different world," she says, standing on the cobbles of 'The Streets' - a replica Leeds streetscape from the 1880s, complete with an apothecary, ironmongers and a pub."Every time I come here, I feel as though I have gone through a time capsule". As part of this year's Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, lanterns and snakes are strung from the rafters of the antique Year of the Snake exhibition runs until the end of half-term and an influx of families are enjoying the themed decorations which adorn the Victorian streetscape."It is really lovely to see the inter-generational interaction here, children with grandmas and grandpas; we just need little bit more of that," says, Arif, the executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture. The closure of the museum was put forward as part of efforts to save money at the cash-strapped Arif says the proposal was met with the "strongest response in her memory", with around 10,000 people getting in touch to oppose the move."Going forward, what more can we do that can help with footfall?" she wonders."My hope is that the passion we saw in the consultation is replicated in numbers [visiting]."Pressures still remain; I think it is getting people through the door that can justify keeping it open." Beyond 'The Streets' authentic Victorian-era stores, whose wares include Burmantofts pottery and traditional tobacco, the museum offers a glimpse into the sometimes grim realities of life in a Victorian Allen, learning and access officer at the museum, believes it is this insight which makes the museum unique among Leeds' many cultural attractions."This is a museum of everyday life," she says, walking under windows strung with laundry."It is really important we keep everyday working-class people's stories alive."Most people do not live in a stately home, most people are not lucky enough to have an amazing array of Chippendale furniture, but most people do have a grandma who had a bath in front of the fire. " Among the visitors enjoying the museum is Pennie Keech."It is lovely," says the grandmother-of-two: "A completely different set of new things to see - so worthwhile coming," she husband, Andrew, has been coming to the museum for the past 70 years: "I like the toys - a lot of it goes back to my youth."On the upper level of the museum, doll-houses and teddies adorn the year a 'storytime' exhibition displaying children's books dating back more than 200 years is also on show."It makes me feel nostalgic," says Andrew. Originally, the core of the heritage building served as the inner gatehouse to Kirkstall following Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries, it was repurposed into a farmhouse - a home for the owners of nearby Kirkstall Forge and a lodging for the coronavirus pandemic, it was subsequently used as a cafe, but with plummeting visitor numbers to the museum, the cafe was moved across the A65 and into the Abbey Riding thinks a cafe should be reinstated - and in one of many members of the public to pass on their suggestions to the council."We have passed on all sorts of ideas," she says, sipping a coffee under the arches of the Cistercian monastery."Developing the Norman Hall for events, a daytime café or an evening venue for food and drink... I would like to see it thriving," the former teacher Riding was one of the 150 campaigners who fought for the museum's future during a protest last month."It means a lot to the people of Leeds: 10,000 people returned the consultation forms, there was a petition which 5,000 people signed."We should not ever lose our culture."Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Museum to stay open as council budget finalised
A Leeds museum which was threatened with closure under council budget proposals will now stay open after a "passionate" response from the public. Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall opened in 1927 and is known for its replica Victorian streets and vintage penny slot machines. Leeds City Council ran a consultation on the future of the museum as it tried to address "unprecedented financial pressures" - but said plans to close the attraction had now been withdrawn. Final budget plans for the coming year include £67m in extra funding but the council said the impact of rising costs, pressures and demand for services means it needs to save £103.8m overall. The budget will be presented to the council's executive board next week and to the full council on 26 February. It includes an increase in council tax of 4.99% and a review of children's centres and transport services for children and families. The council said it would introduce a "pay as you feel" admission charge at Leeds City Museum, Leeds Art Gallery and Leeds Discovery Centre, and is considering charging for entrance to Kirkstall Abbey. It will also hand over the running of Middleton Leisure Centre to a third party. The extra £67m of funding means the proposed 10% funding cut for neighbourhood networks in Leeds will not be required, and there will be no reduction made to wellbeing and youth activity funding. The council said as well as keeping the museum open, possible changes to bowling green provision in the city are to be further consulted on, with the aim of looking at ways to raise income and reduce the number of proposed closures. The council received nearly 10,000 responses to its consultation about the museum. Councillor Salma Arif said the feedback had been "incredibly passionate". "The overriding sentiment has been that people across Leeds clearly recognise the unique social value of our museums and galleries to their communities and local heritage." She added: "What we need now is for people channel the passion and enthusiasm they have demonstrated during the consultation into visiting and engaging with the site as much as possible over the coming months so we can all work to support its future." The museum will remain open as usual. The current exhibition is called Story Time and includes a huge variety of historic books and games, each exploring the magical world of children's stories. However, a council spokesperson said: "Savings still need to be made, and alternative options to secure to the savings required are currently being reviewed." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here. Campaigners slam plans to shut 100-year-old museum Consultation starts on 'much-loved' museum future Museum visitors react to pay-as-you-feel idea Friends of Leeds City Museums Leeds City Council
BBC News
04-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Leeds Abbey House Museum saved from closure
A Leeds museum which was threatened with closure under council budget proposals will now stay open after a "passionate" response from the public. Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall opened in 1927 and is known for its replica Victorian streets and vintage penny slot City Council ran a consultation on the future of the museum as it tried to address "unprecedented financial pressures" - but said plans to close the attraction had now been withdrawn. Final budget plans for the coming year include £67m in extra funding but the council said the impact of rising costs, pressures and demand for services means it needs to save £103.8m overall. The budget will be presented to the council's executive board next week and to the full council on 26 includes an increase in council tax of 4.99% and a review of children's centres and transport services for children and families. The council said it would introduce a "pay as you feel" admission charge at Leeds City Museum, Leeds Art Gallery and Leeds Discovery Centre, and is considering charging for entrance to Kirkstall Abbey. It will also hand over the running of Middleton Leisure Centre to a third extra £67m of funding means the proposed 10% funding cut for neighbourhood networks in Leeds will not be required, and there will be no reduction made to wellbeing and youth activity council said as well as keeping the museum open, possible changes to bowling green provision in the city are to be further consulted on, with the aim of looking at ways to raise income and reduce the number of proposed closures. The council received nearly 10,000 responses to its consultation about the museum. Councillor Salma Arif said the feedback had been "incredibly passionate"."The overriding sentiment has been that people across Leeds clearly recognise the unique social value of our museums and galleries to their communities and local heritage."She added: "What we need now is for people channel the passion and enthusiasm they have demonstrated during the consultation into visiting and engaging with the site as much as possible over the coming months so we can all work to support its future."The museum will remain open as current exhibition is called Story Time and includes a huge variety of historic books and games, each exploring the magical world of children's a council spokesperson said: "Savings still need to be made, and alternative options to secure to the savings required are currently being reviewed."Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
