Birthday Celebrations: Leeds Jewish Housing Association Celebrate 65 years in style
Over 300 people joined together to help Leeds Jewish Housing Association celebrate their 65th Birthday earlier this week. Working in conjunction with their tenants, LJHA arranged a tenant fayre with stalls, activities, entertainment and of course food, for all to enjoy. The event was organised by a number of tenants together with staff to ensure that there was something for everyone.
Activities for children included a children’s entertainer, face painter, bran tub and even a Lego card swap shop. Adults also had plenty to engage with from tombolas and raffle, to information stalls from police, domestic violence advice and energy savings advice. Other stalls at the event included a hairdresser, nail salon, greetings cards, caricaturist, knitting, sweets and many more.
There was plenty of food also supplied, including hot dogs and jacket potatoes to ensure no one left hungry. The event was made possible due to the contributions made by the Association along with LJHA tenant groups including Skyte House, Bentcliffe Court, Green Park and the Queenshill estate.
Craig Simons, Director of Operations expressed his delight; “Until the doors opened, we had no idea of numbers or if the event would work. We were delighted by both the number of people that came and also that people attended from all areas of the Association. Attendees included those in family homes, to those living in sheltered housing, all celebrating together. Thanks must go to those that contributed to the event either through buying raffle tickets, donating bottles and to those that made the day happen.”
Creating momentum for similar events in the future
The cutting of the birthday cake
The event marked 65 years since the formation of LJHA, and it certainly created an atmosphere of celebration. Following the success of the birthday fayre, it is hoped that this is not a one-off event, but rather it creates a momentum to offer similar events in the future.
Chief Executive Mark Grandfield explained; “Our regulators tell us that we must engage with our tenants, and I am delighted that we have chosen to do so in this way. To see that we were able to listen to our tenants, and provide them with what they have asked for, is great to see. Whilst we are keen to improve, it was also positive to hear individually from tenants about what we are doing well, and also hear what else tenants would like from us.”
Tenants helped to run the tombola at the event
Chair, Kate Pearlman-Shaw noted that the Association are looking to the future and to ensure the Association is here for the next 65 years.
“We are an organisation that is always looking forwards and is not afraid to try something different. We are currently looking at our long-term strategy for the Association and events such as this demonstrate that change can be extremely positive. We look forward to continuing to listen to our tenants and our community to ensure we meet their needs for the next 65 years”.
The food area of the event
The stall area of the event
West Yorkshire Police & Groundwork stall
