Ways to Wellbeing

Please note, this service is not available outside Age UK Leeds - Head Office's catchment area.

Age UK Leeds
Bradbury Building
Mark Lane
LEEDS
West Yorkshire
LS2 8JA
United Kingdom

Email: W2W@ageukleeds.org.uk
Telephone: 0113 389 3009

Ways to Wellbeing supports people aged 50 and over to improve their social, emotional, physical and mental wellbeing.

What is the Ways to Wellbeing service?

Ways to Wellbeing can support people aged 50 and over for up to 12 weeks to improve their social, emotional, physical and mental wellbeing.

If you want to make some positive changes, but need some support to get started, we can help.

We can help with a variety of wellbeing needs such as increasing social connections, being more physically active, finding new hobbies, learning new skills or getting more involved in your local community.

What does the service involve?

Our friendly Wellbeing Activity Coordinator will start by asking you some questions to find out about you, your needs and interests. They will then work with you to identify some activities you might want to try to feel healthier and happier.

They will provide you with some support to join in with activities if needed and keep in touch with you from time to time to see how things are going.
We hold a weekly drop-in where you can attend to meet others and hear from guest speakers.

We can connect you with groups and activities run by other organisations.
We work closely with dedicated volunteers to provide 1:1 befriending support.

What are the 5 Ways to Wellbeing?

Support is themed around the 5 Ways to Wellbeing. These are evidence-based actions which research has shown can have a positive impact on people’s quality of life if practised regularly.

Connect
Spending time with family, friends, neighbours or with others in your local community. This might be in person, or the phone or via social media. Anything that enables you to make meaningful connections with other people.

Keep Learning
Trying something new or rediscovering old interests. Signing up for a course. Taking on a different responsibility. Fixing things around the house. Learning to play an instrument or how to cook new foods. Anything that provides a challenge you will enjoy achieving.

Be Active
Walking. Running. Cycling. Dancing. Doing D.I.Y, gardening or housework. Walking to the shops. Joining an exercise class. Playing games with family or friends. Litter picking in your park. Anything that gets you moving and suits your level of mobility and fitness.

Take Notice
Noticing the changes in the season. Watching wildlife in the park/garden. Doing arts and crafts. Following the news. Savouring your food. Talking about or writing down thoughts and feelings. Thinking about what has gone well. Really listening to someone. Anything that helps you to pause and think about your own needs or feelings or take in what's around you.

Give
Doing something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thanking someone. Volunteering your time. Joining a local community group or an online group. Donating to charity. Checking on a neighbour. Anything that gives some of your time to other people.

Weekly Drop-in

Every Thursday there is a weekly drop-in session held at Age UK Leeds Community Hub (just off the Headrow in the City Centre)

We can also provide one to one volunteer support for those who need to build confidence before attending a group/activity/organisation.

***Please note there is no drop in on Thursday 23rd April 2026***

Visit our activities page for more information

How do I find out more?

Anyone aged 50 and over who is interested in accessing the service can contact the Ways to Wellbeing team to find out more.

Telephone: 0113 389 3009 or alternatively 0113 389 3000

Email: W2W@ageukleeds.org.uk

We also welcome enquiries from family members, friends and health, social care and voluntary sector professionals.

How do I make a referral into the service?

If you are a professional and you are working with someone who would benefit from our service, you can refer them by completing our referral form. Please ensure you have gained the consent of the person being referred before submitting.

If you require the information if any other format, please email W2W@ageukleeds.org.uk

If you would like to discuss the referral before sending please call 0113 389 3009 or alternatively 0113 389 3000

For family, friend or self-referrals, please contact the service to discuss further.

Referral form

Referral Criteria

Please note referral/eligibility criteria for the service are as follows:

- Aged 50 or over
- Has an identified wellbeing need or needs
- Is resident in the Leeds Metropolitan Borough area (i.e. pays or would pay
council tax to Leeds City Council)

In addition, whilst every referral is assessed on a case by case basis, it is unlikely that the service will be suitable for those who have:

- Severe mental illness which would make engagement in activities without clinical support unwise
- Severe frailty which would make accessing activities outside of the home unwise
- A history of violent, aggressive or discriminatory behaviour

What happens next?

Our Wellbeing Activity Co-ordinator will review new referrals daily and aim to make initial contact with the referrer/person referred within 5 working days.