Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves visits Leeds community hub
published on 13 Nov 2023
Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP visited a joint project in her constituency in Leeds run by The Salvation Army and Saha (Salvation Army Housing Association) to hear about the work the church and charity does within communities.
The Labour MP for Leeds West, who has family connections to The Salvation Army and used to volunteer in one of our charity shops, was given a tour of Copper Beech, an affordable housing community made up of 84 Saha homes, a Salvation Army day care nursery and after school care provision, and a community hub.
Lynne Shea, CEO of Saha, said: “We were honoured to host MP Rachel Reeves at our Copper Beech housing scheme today. Ms Reeves took the time to meet with residents and staff locally to understand the work that we do.
“Her interest in Saha’s work is greatly appreciated and as Copper Beech’s constituency MP we welcome the opportunity to work closer together in the future to support our local community."
With a local Baptist church, Copper Beech Hub, which is based in the heart of the housing estate, runs weekly music session for youngsters, an after-school family club, youth club, knit and natter group and Sunday Worship, while the Salvation Army run nursery also hosts holiday and after school clubs.
Major Caroline Heward, who leads the community hub, said: “It was great to meet Ms Reeves and talk to her about all of the things we do here. We discussed how the hub is not just a community programme, but how having a presence at the heart of Copper Beech is about building relationships, living with and walking alongside people through life.
“We also spoke about faith and it was lovely to hear Ms Reeves talk fondly about her grandparents who were Salvationists.”
Rachel Reeves MP said: “It was lovely to visit the Salvation Army's Hub in Bramley recently and to hear more about their work supporting our local community. My family were involved in the Salvation Army in my childhood and I know what a difference their support can make to local people.”
The community hub is now gearing up for Christmas where it will be supporting families as part of its Christmas Present Appeal ensuring vulnerable children have a gift to open on Christmas Day. Email leedsbramley@salvationarmy.org.uk for more information.
