Winter 2024
The first calls
A handful of neighbours across Leeds and Bradford began sharing food, lifts and childcare through a small group chat. Word spread.
Home / About
Our storyNeighbours, looking out for neighbours.
FreeNation West Yorkshire is a grassroots community network. We formed to solve everyday problems together — practical mutual aid, local organising, and a place to belong for anyone in the county who wants one.
Our mission
To make Yorkshire a place where no one falls through the cracks.
We build the kind of community that used to be the norm — one where you know your neighbours, where help arrives before you have to beg for it, where the difficult days do not have to be faced alone. We do it locally, patiently, and without asking anyone's politics at the door.
Our vision
A network of self-organising communities that outlast any one of us.
We want small groups of neighbours, in every town, meeting regularly and looking after each other by default. The measure of success is not the size of our organisation. It is the strength of the ties between the people it brings together.
What we believe
Five principles we hold to.
People first
Every decision starts with the person in front of us. Systems serve people, not the other way round.
Peaceful and lawful
We organise in the open, within the law, and without harming or intimidating anyone. Full stop.
Non-partisan
We are not a political party and we do not endorse candidates. Everyone welcome, no strings.
Locally led
Decisions are made by the people they affect. Every town runs its own group, its own way.
Transparent
We publish what we do, how we do it, who is accountable, and how we spend anything that comes in.
Rooted in Yorkshire
Made here, run from here, for the people who live here. Proud of the place, careful with it.
How we got here
Started small. Growing steadily.
Spring 2025
First meetups
Weekly meetups start in three towns. A shared name — FreeNation West Yorkshire — and a simple code of conduct are agreed by everyone involved.
Summer 2025
Skills nights and community pantries
Volunteers begin running repair cafes, basic first-aid sessions, and small pantries for anyone who needs a hand between paydays.
Autumn 2025
A public voice
@freenationtoday on X becomes the public face of the network — updates, calls for help, and coordination across towns.
2026
This year
Local groups running in twelve towns and neighbourhoods. Safeguarding policies published. New meetups still starting wherever members step forward.
The team
Volunteers, not employees.
Everyone below gives their time. No one takes a salary from the network. Roles rotate.
Community Coordinator
Volunteer name
Keeps the local groups talking to each other and holds the calendar of meetups.
Mutual Aid Lead
Volunteer name
Coordinates food, essentials and neighbourly help across the network.
Events & Meetups
Volunteer name
Plans public events and helps new towns get their first meetup off the ground.
Safeguarding Officer
Volunteer name
Named point of contact for safeguarding concerns. See our safeguarding policy.
Youth & Family
Volunteer name
Runs family sessions and supports groups working with young people.
Replace the placeholder names above with your actual volunteers before publishing.
Want to help?
Whether you have an hour a month or an hour a week, there is a place for you.