Leeds City Council's ABCD programme welcomes two new Pathfinder sites

Building on the strong foundations and achievements of its ABCD Pathfinder model, Leeds City Council has now approved new Pathfinder sites in Hyde Park and Chapeltown. Delivering the new sites will be All Hallows (Hyde Park) and Leeds Community Homes in Partnership with Unity Housing (Chapeltown).

Since 2013, Leeds City Council has funded third sector organisations as ABCD Pathfinder sites to employ ABCD ‘Community Builders’ who work closely with residents to build connections and relationships of trust. Focusing on what's strong and the strengths that already exist within a community, the role of the Community Builder is to unlock the potential, and harness the skills, talents, gifts, knowledge, and passions of both residents and local groups through different projects. This forms part of the ABCD model’s recognition that people are best placed to change the things that matter to them. This work also supports the council’s wider ‘Community Power’ vision that people should have a say over the places in which they live and the services they use.

The approach taken by ABCD Pathfinder sites has resulted in a range of positive results. Not only has it helped foster a renewed sense of community spirit and community-led action, the work of the Pathfinder sites has also helped to improve the health and wellbeing of residents by tackling issues such as loneliness and social isolation. Examples of the types of projects introduced by different Pathfinder sites in previous years and delivered in safe and welcoming spaces, include the creation of dance and art groups to community choirs, gardening projects and cooking skills sharing, to coffee morning meet ups and knitting groups. 

The introduction of the two new Pathfinder sites also follows the publication of an in-depth review last year, which looked at the impact of funding the ABCD Pathfinder site model from 2019-2025. The review highlighted the benefits and positive ripple effects of funding the model, which included a Social Return on Investment Study completed as part of the review by Leeds Beckett University, that found for every £1 invested in ABCD, it returned £36.90 in social value within the areas served by the Pathfinder sites.

Councillor Emma Flint, Leeds City Council’s executive member for Equality, Adults and Health on Leeds City Council, said:  

“We are excited to welcome two new ABCD Pathfinder sites to the communities of Hyde Park and Chapeltown.

“Since 2013, we have been proud to see our ABCD programme in Leeds grow from humble beginnings into a fantastic example of community power in action, and we can’t wait to see how work at our two new Pathfinder sites delivered by All Hallows and Leeds Community Homes in Partnership with Unity Housing will evolve and develop.

“The ABCD Pathfinder model has proved to be a driving force for people-led change, by inspiring local residents and groups to come together and lead on projects and activities that can make a positive difference in the communities where they live.”

Annmarie Clay, Operations Manager at All Hallows, said:

“This ABCD funding is such a brilliant opportunity to make time for people, support them, nurture community-led projects and map out all the interesting things we know are going on in Hyde Park.”

Cynthia Brathwaite, Chief operations officer at Leeds Community Homes, said:

“Leeds Community Homes welcomes the award of the ABCD Pathfinder grant from Leeds City Council. This investment strengthens our commitment to working in partnership with Unity Housing Association to identify local gifts and talents within Chapeltown, deepening neighbourhood connections, and supporting community led development.

“Together, we look forward to building on Chapeltown's strengths, supporting local leadership, and creating the conditions for long‑term, community owned development.”

Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise Chief Executive said:

“We are excited to be part of the new ABCD Pathfinder project in Chapeltown in partnership with Leeds Community Homes.

“Unity sees communities not as passive recipients of services but - with the right advice, encouragement and support - as active partners with the strengths, networks and capabilities to drive sustainable change.”

To find out more regarding the review, please see: Positive impact of ABCD programme in Leeds showcased in new review

For further information on ABCD in Leeds, please see: www.abcdinleeds.com