Anonymous's Story | Humans of Harehills

"I'm 19 years old. Being a resident of Harehills and growing up here my whole life, I've really struggled with some of the comments that people have made about the area. It puts me down a bit because I can't see my life without Harehills. It's shaped my character and who I am today. I witnessed the disturbances last summer, but I also witnessed the councillors who risked their lives to save others, the shop-owners who supported local families with their necessities, and the neighbours sharing meals with one another. That's only a fraction of the undeniable factors that show Harehills is a truly loving community.

It was these negative comments that pushed me to take action and work to change the narrative around Harehills. I started youth work at the age of 13; I got involved with organisations such as LMYF, CATCH and Junior Sports Hub. Since then, I've been involved in various youth-led projects, like Breaking Down Barriers, where we started a culture kitchen, worked on a photography project, and created a short documentary titled 'Taking Back the Narrative'—just to name a few. We got loads of young people involved, giving them a platform to share their stories and showcase the positive impact they're making in the community.

The young people of Harehills give me hope for the future of the area. If they engage with local youth groups and get involved in the community, it can boost their confidence and help them connect with like-minded individuals. I truly believe that by doing so, they can carry forward Harehills' legacy as a diverse, vibrant community that provides every family with the support they need. One of the quotes I live by is, 'Ships are safe in the harbour, but that is not what they are built for.' This quote inspires me to step out of my comfort zone, embrace new experiences, and strive to make a positive impact on others' lives."

Anonymous story

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