Voluntary and community

Blog kindly provided by St Augustine's Centre, Halifax. One of the best things about working at St Augustine's is the opportunity to meet people with incredible talents, skills and passions. OM is certainly one of those people. I still remember meeting OM shortly after he arrived in Calderdale. We shook hands, and I genuinely thought he might break the bones in my hand. Only afterwards did I discover I was shaking hands with a Paralympic powerlifter, which suddenly made a lot

Brackenbed is quickly becoming one of Halifax's most valuable green spaces. Thanks to recent improvements, more people than ever are discovering the site, connecting with nature and enjoying opportunities to be active outdoors. But investing in the space is only part of the story. Equally important is helping people make use of it. This summer, a series of community events has introduced many residents to Brackenbed for the very first time, showcasing not only its natural bea

How do you preserve a town's treasured memories while inspiring people to get out, explore their surroundings and connect with one another? In Todmorden, the answer came through a unique project that brought together young people, local residents and community organisations to create an interactive journey through the town's rich heritage. The 'Soundwalk Through Todmorden's Heritage' project has transformed a stroll around Centre Vale Park into an opportunity to hear personal

Written by U3A Todmorden At U3A Todmorden (University of the Third Age), we're passionate about helping people stay connected, keep learning and enjoy life in their later years. From walking groups and table tennis to local history talks and creative activi ties, our members are always keen to try something new. Thanks to a partnership with Active Calderdale, that's exactly what happened this year when we discovered the joys of indoor floor curling. A community built on learn

Women seeking refuge and asylum can face a range of barriers to being physically active, including caring responsibilities, language barriers, cost, cultural expectations and a lack of access to women-only opportunities. Over the past year, St Augustine's Centre in Halifax has worked to address some of these barriers by developing and delivering a range of women-only activities. These included fitness sessions, walks, visits to Hardcastle Crags with the National Trust, and ro

An Active Ambassadors pilot is helping more people in Todmorden and the wider area become active by putting skills, training and resources directly into the hands of local people. The pilot, delivered by Aron Harper-Robinson from AHR Inclusion and Emma Carter from Calderdale Council's Healthy Communities team, brought together representatives from a wide range of local community groups, including older adults' groups and disability organisations, local leisure providers and f

A new fitness class is helping people in Rastrick get active, build confidence and have fun while doing it. Boogie Bounce, a trampoline-based exercise class at The Space @ Field Lane, has quickly become one of the centre's most popular activities, attracting around 23 participants each week and generating so much interest that the team added a second weekly session. The classes are the latest example of how The Space @ Field Lane has embedded physical activity into everyday c

Creating safe, attractive and accessible outdoor spaces is only part of the journey towards helping people become more active. Equally important is ensuring local residents know about the improvements that have been made and feel confident using these spaces. That's where community activation events play a vital role, bringing people together, encouraging activity and helping residents reconnect with their local parks and green spaces. This summer, Bramston Gardens in Rastric

IMT Forever CIC, known as Inspire. Motivate. Transform. (IMT), is a social enterprise supporting local communities to improve physical activity, mental health and wellbeing. Based in Cornholme, Todmorden, IMT delivers classes, workshops and community events across the area, from Hebden Bridge to Bacup, helping people strengthen connections and lead healthier lives. A key focus of IMT's work is supporting older adults and people with mobility challenges through gentle, coordin

Over 400 residents and 14 local organisations came together to take part in the Park Ward Around the World Challenge, a community-led physical activity initiative designed to encourage people to move more while strengthening community connections. Created through a series of co-design sessions involving local organisations and community representatives, the challenge was built around a simple but ambitious goal: work together to complete a virtual journey around the world by

Feeling safe and confident in your community is something everyone deserves. That's why The Space @ Field Lane Community Hub recently hosted a free self-defence workshop for women, empowering residents with practical skills and increased confidence. The idea for the workshop came directly from conversations with women in the community. Through informal discussions with residents, staff at The Space identified concerns around personal safety, particularly when walking alone at

In February 2025, a new Under 16s girls' rugby team was established at Siddal Rugby Club by just five players and two committed volunteers. At the time, there were no local rugby opportunities available for girls in this age group, leaving many young people without access to the sport. Since then, the team has gone from strength to strength. Thanks to the dedication of players, coaches and volunteers, the squad has grown to more than 20 players, supported by up to four coache

Qudsia Naeem - 40, Park Ward Before joining the gym, I didn’t really have many consistent opportunities to stay active. I would sometimes sign up for classes or activities, like a local squash club, usually because people I knew were involved. I always gave them a try, but they never lasted long. I’ve always enjoyed being active, so it was always disappointing when those opportunities came to an end. There were also a number of barriers that made it harder to take part regula

The Space @ Field Lane is a well‑established community centre at the heart of Field Lane, Rastrick. It offers a wide range of services for local residents, including a warm space, exercise sessions, bingo nights, a community café, and more. Active Calderdale has been working in partnership with The Space for several years to embed physical activity into the centre’s core offer. Although various exercise classes were set up, it became clear that the insight and connection of a

Nasreen Akhtar – 51, Park Ward Physical activity was never really on my radar and wasn’t something I saw as being “for someone like me.” I’m in my 50s, a wife, mother and grandmother, and I’ve always believed my role in the home was to care for my family and look after the house – cooking, cleaning and everything in between. This is what I grew up knowing, and it’s what feels normal to me. I don’t see it as a burden, but I also didn’t realise what opportunities were available

Rukhsar Ali - 31, Park Ward A year or so ago, I stopped going to the gym and gradually became less active. Over time, I gained weight and started to feel really low about myself. I reached a point where I knew I needed to make a change. Rejoining the gym wasn’t easy; it took a lot of encouragement from the staff and the friends I’d made there previously. But eventually, I took that step, and I haven’t looked back since. At first, it felt really daunting. One day, the gym was

Since we first shared the story of the Mixy Marchers, Mandy’s journey and the group itself have continued to grow and evolve, while staying true to its roots. The walking group is still going strong in Mixenden, with between 6 and 19 women attending, depending on people’s circumstances. What hasn’t changed is the supportive environment it offers - a safe, friendly space where women can walk, talk and build confidence together. While Mini Marchers and netball sessions are no l

To coincide with National Walking Month, we were delighted to partner with Chris from North of England Activities and Training (NEAT) to deliver Walk Leader Training for staff and volunteers from Calderdale’s growing network of Active Travel Hubs. Hosted by Project Colt in Elland, the session brought together fantastic representation from across the borough, including IOU Hostel (Hebden Bridge) and Ride, Roll & Stroll (Brighouse). It was a great opportunity to connect, share

Since forming in December 2022, Sowerby Walkers & Ramblers have been leading the way in creating inclusive, welcoming opportunities for people across Calderdale to get out and walk together. The group meets most weekends, usually around midday, exploring the area’s stunning landscapes and waterways. Their motto says it all: “Hike Yourself Happy”, and true to that, they head out in all weather, sharing fresh air, friendship, and feel-good moments every week. A walking evolutio

At the heart of Halifax’s rugby community, Halifax Rugby Union Football Club (RUFC) and Halifax Panthers are proving that the game is for everyone. Based at Ovenden Park, Halifax RUFC is long-established and has built a strong reputation not just for rugby but for its deep commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and community spirit. From its Mixed Ability team, the Halifax Magpies, to initiatives like walking rugby, they are creating opportunities for people of all abilities