Set up in 1982, Touchstone, a health and wellbeing charity working with people and communities across Yorkshire, has grown from a weekend club to reduce loneliness in South Leeds to one of the largest health and wellbeing charities in Northern England.
On Friday 29 July, the charity celebrated its incredible milestone of forty years, with staff, service users, volunteers and special guests from Touchstone’s history, including Touchstone’s former CEO and current West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor Police and Crime Alison Lowe OBE.
The well-being charity aims to make the cities they work in more culturally competent and better able to meet the needs of those vulnerable people who live there.
Celebrations on the day involved an array of exciting events, activities, special guests, and the band, Monkey Business.
Touchstone also welcomed press attendance on the day to help document what promised to be a truly special celebration.
Originally set up as a weekend club in 1982 by Community Psychiatric Nurse John Clare and Social Worker Sylvia Landells, their aim was to reduce isolation and inspire a sense of community among residents of South Leeds, many of whom were experiencing distress and loneliness.
From there, Touchstone has grown into one of the largest health and wellbeing charities in Northern England. They now work with diverse communities across Yorkshire delivering about fifty services and projects aimed at reducing isolation, supporting good mental health, transforming lives and inspiring communities.
In recognition of Touchstone’s anniversary, current CEO Arfan Hanif said:
“It is Touchstone’s honour to work with people in our local communities for the past forty years. We are proud to serve over 10,000 diverse service users annually across Yorkshire.
“The health and wellbeing of our communities are paramount to us all being able to live safely, healthy and with joy. We will keep striving to inspire communities and transform lives making sure everyone we work with has the support they need to thrive and be their authentic selves”.
Allison Lowe, who is the former CEO of Touchstone told Asian Standard “It was my privilege to lead Touchstone for 17 of its 40 years of delivery across all our diverse communities. I am so excited to see the next phase of its history under the leadership of my friend and colleague, Arfan Hanif.
“As a former service user, Arfan brings a unique perspective and leadership lens to Touchstone which I know will see the organisation successfully transforming communities and inspiring lives for many more decades to come”.
Guest speakers were joined by a host of events and activities, including a gallery of service users’ art, a sound system with a DJ, henna painting, dancing, drumming, and the fabulous ‘Touchstone Has Talent’ showcase.
In keeping up with Touchstone’s commitment to inclusive and accessible mental health support, there was also a designated quiet room for reflection, peace and rest during the event.
As well as this, vegetarian and vegan food from local caterers was available throughout the day to provide sustenance to all the guests, including the celebratory 40th Birthday cake to commemorate the milestone.
Reflecting on the event, Kathryn Hart, the company’s deputy CEO says “Touchstone’s 40th birthday celebration was a day full of remembering, celebrating, dancing, fun and most important of all, it was all about people.
“It was truly moving to see and hear past and present service users, staff, volunteers and Trustees talking about the positive difference Touchstone has made to their lives and communities over the years”.
She adds “It was clear that Touchstone continues to fulfil our vision of “inspiring communities and transforming lives”. I feel very fortunate to be part of the Touchstone family.”
