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Leeds, October 19, 2025
Afrikindness is proud to have supported over 85 families through the Household Support Fund (HSF) – a Central Government initiative administered by Forum Central. With a grant of £5,000, we were able to provide essential welfare support (£50 food vouchers) to families in our network, particularly those facing financial hardship and multiple vulnerabilities.
Reaching Diverse Communities Across Leeds
Our outreach covered families across several Leeds postcodes — with the highest concentration in LS7, LS9, and LS8. These areas represent communities with significant cultural diversity and high levels of social and economic challenges.
Most of the families we supported are from African-based communities, with a small number from Pakistani heritage. The support was open to all families within the Leeds area who met the HSF eligibility criteria.
These figures indicate that the LS7 and LS9 areas are particularly impacted — regions where digital exclusion, language barriers, and food insecurity are more prevalent.
Complex and Interconnected Challenges
Our engagement with families revealed that most face complex, interlinked challenges that go beyond financial strain. Through engagement and assessments, it became evident that most families experience complex, overlapping challenges. While the fund provided short-term relief, the stories behind the data revealed ongoing barriers that hinder family stability and wellbeing.
Many of the households we supported experience:
- Food insecurity – over half of the families depend on food banks to meet daily needs.
- Digital and English language barriers – limiting access to education, employment, and online support services.
- Health challenges – including arthritis, long-term conditions, and mental health struggles.
- Caring responsibilities – several parents are carers for children with special educational needs or disabilities, adding to emotional and financial pressure.
These challenges reflect not just financial hardship but also systemic inequalities in access to essential services and inclusion.
Afrikindness’ Holistic Approach
At Afrikindness, our mission goes beyond short-term relief. We combine welfare assistance with digital empowerment and family engagement — ensuring that families receive respectful, culturally sensitive, and practical support.
Our approach is holistic:
“We aim to build support systems that help families stay together, thrive, and shape their own futures.”
Through community engagement sessions, parent workshops, and welfare support visits, we are supporting families not only to meet immediate needs but also gain confidence, skills, and stronger community connections.
Looking Ahead – A Call for Support
As we continue to meet the rising needs of local families, Afrikindness is calling for continued support and partnership.
We are particularly seeking:
- Laptops or desktop donations to strengthen our Digital Inclusion Training Programme
- Welfare scheme grants that provide ongoing assistance for families reliant on food banks — ensuring no family is left unsupported when food banks are closed
- Partnerships with community and corporate organisations to sustain long-term impact.
Together, we can ensure families are not just surviving, but growing and flourishing within supportive, inclusive communities.
The need for support continues to grow. More families are seeking help with digital access — many have no laptops or desktops to join online training, apply for jobs, or support their children’s learning.
We are calling on local partners, businesses, and funders to support us in providing digital devices for our Digital Inclusion Training Programme.
Acknowledgement
Afrikindness sincerely thanks Forum Central for administering the Household Support Fund and for their ongoing collaboration in supporting vulnerable families in Leeds.
Contact
Afrikindness
Leeds, United Kingdom
afrikindness.org 
Vivian Agbi, Digital & Welfare Lead or Bunmi Owolabi CEO – info@afrikindness.org
