Our grant was spent to support the Skippko Community Research Team including: Recording Leeds history, extending people’s knowledge of arts, culture and heritage of Leeds, research for skippko’s project ‘In the Waiting Room’, presenting the research at an exhibition and publication, and visits to museums, galleries, archives.

Over 6 months the group have been meeting to research and record stories of the NHS as part of Skippko’s ‘In the Waiting Room’ project. Many personal tales and fascinating facts have been uncovered, through a trip to the Thackray Medical Museum and personal research. All the information gathered will be brought together into a ‘Waiting Room’ magazine publication and presented at an exhibition and performance at the end of June 22. A copy of the publication will be sent to the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society.

“It’s been good to meet new people, and share ideas with them. The trip to the Thackray Museum was so interesting – thank you for organising that. As always, the support from Skippko, and your team is so positive. The sessions and activities have provided an escape from ‘normal life’!”

“The skippko project means a lot to me, I find it very interesting, and we can help with projects. I enjoy the sessions as it’s very therapeutic for myself, sometimes I can’t make it to the sessions due to other commitments. Thank you to the team for all their work and support.”

Thanks to the support of Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society our Research Team have become well established and new members have joined. We’ve recently learnt that a further 6 sessions will be funded by the Arnold Clark Community Fund. We are in discussion with group members about future research with the possibility of publishing their work in a book, specifically for the Research Team. Given the success of the project following your funding and the enthusiastic personal investment in the work, Skippko will be maintaining support for the Research Team. This is part of ongoing efforts to create pockets of sustainable community creativity across the City of Leeds.