About this project

There are 34 Neighbourhood Networks which together serve the whole Leeds City Council area. They aim to meet local needs and provide services, activities and opportunities that older people want, including:

• information and advice 
• advocacy
• activities to improve health and wellbeing
• social opportunities and social activities 

Each Neighbourhood Network has a management committee drawn from the local community, including older people. They are connected to people and organisations in their area. As members of Leeds Older People’s Forum, they meet regularly for networking, sharing skills and learning. Local volunteers are a key part of the Neighbourhood Networks.

Neighbourhood Networks are commissioned by Leeds City Council to:

• reduce social isolation and loneliness
• increase the contribution and involvement of older people
• increase choice and control
• enhance health and wellbeing. 

Neighbourhood Networks work with some of the most isolated and vulnerable older people in Leeds. During the pandemic Neighbourhood Networks delivered food, medicines and essential items, and social and provided emotional support to their members and the wider community.

Neighbourhood networks: a model for community-based support

Research by Centre for Ageing Better shows that the Neighbourhood Network model has a great deal to offer and outlines the benefits of the model.

Find your local Neighbourhood Network >

Related resources

• Real time evaluation of Leeds Neighbourhood Networks (Centre for Ageing Better ,July 2020)
• Ever more needed? The role of the Leeds Neighbourhood Networks during the COVID-19 pandemic (Centre for Ageing Better, December 2020)
• How community organisations contribute to healthy ageing – evidence from the evaluation of the Leeds Neighbourhood Networks (Centre for Ageing Better, March 2022)