Community Based Initiatives
Gianna Baby Bank & Family Support
Gianna supports families across the Diocese of Leeds throughout pregnancy and during the early stages of parenthood. Our service is open to anyone who needs support, regardless of age, background, faith, ethnicity or marital status.
We support families with babies up to 12 months old.
What Gianna Offers
Our friendly and experienced team provides both practical and emotional support, including:
- A listening ear and compassionate support
- Parenting advice and guidance through our Family Support Worker
- Access to a Baby Bank of new and nearly-new items
- Signposting and connection to wider services where needed
Baby Bank Support
Our Baby Bank provides essential items for families with babies up to 12 months old, including:
- Moses baskets and baby equipment
- Nappies, toiletries and hygiene products for babies and mothers
- Clothing and everyday essentials
Alongside practical support, we also help families access wider services within Catholic Care, including:
- Food support
- Health and nutrition guidance
- Counselling and emotional wellbeing support
Family Support Worker
Our Family Support Worker provides practical and emotional support to families in their home, community, or school setting.
Support may include:
- Parenting advice and behaviour support
- Establishing routines and structure at home
- Support with money worries, housing or school-related issues
- Help with form filling and accessing services
- Emotional support during difficult times
Where additional needs are identified, families can be supported to access specialist services such as substance misuse or domestic abuse support, while still receiving ongoing practical support where appropriate.
Our Family Support Worker also works closely with:
Early Help teams, Social Workers, Midwives, Health Visitors and other community professionals to ensure joined-up support for families.
How to Access Gianna
Families can contact us directly to access support.
We also welcome referrals from professionals and organisations across the Diocese of Leeds.
For more information, please contact our Family Support Worker:
Keelie Morton – 07599 653211
Nutrition and Wellness
Our Nutrition and Wellness Service provides practical, evidence-based guidance to help people understand how food supports both physical and mental wellbeing.
We focus on simple, realistic changes that support long-term health, wellbeing and prevention of diet-related conditions.
Our Approach
Our work is rooted in the principle that what we eat, how we move, and how we think are closely connected.
We support people to make informed choices that can help reduce the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart disease, while promoting overall health and wellbeing.
What We Offer
We deliver a range of flexible support for individuals, schools and community groups, including:
- One-to-one nutrition and lifestyle coaching
- Tailored meal planning support
- Healthy eating workshops for adults
- School-based programmes (including Practical Eating Advice for Years 4–6)
- Community cooking and healthy meal preparation sessions
- Structured 4-week weight management and healthy lifestyle programmes (weight loss or weight maintenance)
All sessions are designed to be practical, accessible and easy to apply in everyday life.
Nutrition Education
Our Nutritional Advisor and Coach provide clear information about the science of food and its impact on health.
The aim is to promote long-term wellbeing and support prevention of diet-related illness through education, understanding and behaviour change.
Community & School-Based Learning
We deliver interactive workshops in schools and community settings, helping people build confidence in preparing and choosing healthy food.
Sessions are designed to be engaging and practical, supporting both learning and everyday application.
For further information, please contact:
Ingrid Fernandes – Nutritional Advisor and Coach
07540 047973
Stay and Play Community Groups
Our Stay and Play sessions are for children from birth to preschool age, along with their parents or carers.
These welcoming groups provide a safe and friendly space for children to play, learn and develop through fun activities such as toys, crafts and group play.
For Children
Children are supported to:
- Explore through play
- Develop social skills
- Learn to share and take turns
- Build confidence in a group setting
- Prepare for the transition to nursery
For Parents & Carers
Stay and Play also offers valuable social support for adults. It provides a relaxed environment to:
- Meet other parents and carers
- Reduce isolation and build friendships
- Share experiences and support one another
- Enjoy time in a welcoming community space
Refreshments are provided for both children and adults, including snacks, tea, coffee and biscuits.
Many long-lasting friendships have formed through these groups.
For more information, please contact:
Michelle Vink – 07739 975000
Community Pantry – Leeds (Chapeltown)
Our Leeds Community Pantry provides weekly food support alongside a welcoming space for conversation, advice and connection.
Holy Rosary Church Community Room, Chapeltown Road, Leeds, LS7 4BZ
Thursdays, 9.30am – 11.00am
For a £5 contribution, visitors can choose approximately 15 essential items, including dried and tinned foods, fresh fruit and vegetables, and toiletries.
Each session includes:
- Free tea and coffee
- A friendly, informal support space
- Access to practical advice and signposting
Fortnightly attendance from partner agencies, including the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), provides additional support. Other services, such as housing and utilities advice, are also available periodically.
Michelle Vink – Community Manager
07739 975000
Community Groups
Our Community Groups are held across a number of locations and provide a welcoming space for older people in the community to come together, connect and enjoy time with others.
Each session includes a freshly prepared two-course meal, along with tea, coffee and a range of activities such as bingo, quizzes and raffles.
These groups offer an important opportunity to socialise, build friendships and reduce isolation. Many of our members and volunteers describe them as a highlight of the week, with a warm, friendly atmosphere at the heart of each session.
We are supported by a dedicated team of volunteers who help run the groups and ensure everyone feels welcome and included.
Throughout the year, we also celebrate key occasions such as Christmas, Easter and St Patrick’s Day with special meals, themed entertainment and extra treats — making these events particularly popular with our members.
Above all, our Community Groups provide a relaxed and enjoyable environment where people can share conversation, have a laugh, enjoy good food, and feel part of a supportive community.
Community Market – Bradford (Wibsey)
Our Bradford Community Market has been operating since 2020 and has developed into a valued local support hub in response to the rising cost of living.
St. Winefride’s Church Hall, 54 St. Paul’s Avenue, Wibsey, Bradford, BD6 1ST
Wednesdays, 10.00am – 11.00am
(Tea and coffee available from 9.45am)
The market provides food, toiletries and household essentials to adults and children each week. It has also become a place of connection, where people can meet, talk and build community.
There is no referral process and no requirement to prove need. Households may access the service as often as required.
Additional support includes:
- A welcoming social space with refreshments
- A pre-loved clothing and household area
- Occasional advice surgeries from local councillors
- On-site support from Family Support Workers
The service operates on a contribution model: for £5, visitors can select a range of food and essential items including store cupboard goods, fresh produce and household products.
Sue Parsons – Community Market Coordinator
07702 255113
sue.parsons@catholic-care.org.uk
Find Out How Catholic Care Can Help
We want everyone to reach their own potential, and we’ll provide practical and emotional support to help them get there.
