Wellsprings Together - A Bold New Charity For Leeds

Wellsprings Together aims to encourage and support churches, community groups and other faith groups working together to enable flourishing neighbourhoods.

The new charity will build on the work of Wellsprings Together Bradford and expand the reach to improve access to resources, make local work more effective and create a framework for others to initiate positive change in communities. They do this by helping to bring people and resources together.

Important strands of work will include support for school holiday hunger activities, facilitating dialogue between faith groups such as Church / Mosque Twinning, growing the Places of Welcome network which addresses loneliness, launching a Catalyst Young Leaders’ course and Real People, Honest Talk consultations as well as wide-ranging work with the homeless.

The Rt. Revd. Nick Baines Bishop of Leeds said:

“I congratulate Wellsprings Together. This will help us connect the local, the regional and the national – and dare I say the international. I trust that new and exciting opportunities will open up as we work together in partnership.”

This social action initiative has been made possible by funding from Allchurches Trust – one of the UK’s largest grant-giving charities that gave £16.9 million to churches, charities and communities in 2018.

Allchurches Trust chairman, Sir Philip Mawer, said:

“At the heart of Allchurches Trust’s grant-giving is helping people and communities in need. Wellsprings Together has the potential to be a powerful force for good in West Yorkshire and the Dales, linking people and resources to help build active and flourishing communities. Allchurches is delighted to fund this initiative, which promises to grow dynamic partnerships between grassroots organisations, the public sector, faith groups and many others; all with a shared ambition to bring about positive change in people’s lives.”

The Anglican Diocese of Leeds covers 2,500 square miles and is by area the biggest in the UK. The diocese serves more than 460 parishes maintaining a Christian presence among a population of more than 2.5 million people. Wellsprings Together will serve a network of locally based champions and support groups in the episcopal areas of Wakefield, Huddersfield, Leeds, Bradford and Ripon.

Mark Waddington Director of Wellsprings Together, added:

“We are excited to be launching Wellsprings Together right across West Yorkshire, the Dales and beyond. Our mission at is simplest is to see neighbourhoods where people are kind and loving towards each other, but we’ll have a tough edge as we confront injustice and challenge the causes of poverty. The strength of Wellsprings Together lies in strong partner relations and roots within the parishes. We are a resource for the whole community not just the church and our work with other faith groups is very important.”

Notes to Editors:

More about Wellsprings Together can be found at: www.wellspringstogether.org.uk

Contact Matt Adcock for interviews or pictures on matt.adcock@cuf.org.uk 07711 872753

Allchurches Trust is one of the UK’s largest grant making trusts with an aim of helping people and communities most in need. Its funds come from its ownership of Ecclesiastical Insurance Group. More information can be found at www.allchurches.co.uk