Creating a much needed Leominster youth focussed charity
06/02/2026
By 2025 Helen Bowden
I am proud to write this as one of five like minded trustees of newly formed charity, The Leominster Community Development Charity. Created to address the lack of provision of support, guidance and safe facilities within our community, we are passionate about making a difference to our youngsters in particular. We want to tackle this problem full on, providing a new ‘Hub’, a place where young people can find a safe space, with activities and also access to services and support, previously mainly accessible in Hereford. Following input from young people themselves, the hub will be called ‘The Lemner’ so everyone knows it is theirs. The Lemner will be located in the centre of Leominster, to service the town and surrounding villages, a hub to support our youth but also be used practically for the wider needs of the community.
The Charity has generous potential sponsors primed to support the critical foundation phases. They would like to see evidence that the community at large and other potential funders share our vision. Please read our ‘manifesto’ here and then make your support tangible in one of two ways;
01. Pledge what you can afford at our Crowd Funding page here
02. Donate directly to the charity’s bank account
Leominster Community Development Charity, a/c no: 67476871, Sort code: 08 92 99
Why Leominster?
From my first weeks in this role and having met many fantastic people across both statutory bodies and the third sector, it was soon obvious that there is not enough youth provision – places for kids to go and be safe, secure, occupied and fed. And equally, not enough youth workers and specialists in trauma informed behaviour, the danger of grooming and online content and sexual assault. There are exceptions of course. We have the wonderful Close House and Hinton Community Centre in Hereford; Ledbury Leaf and the Ledbury Community Hub with the launch of their Ledbury Youth Spaces. In my home town of Leominster, an area of significant deprivation, it has been sadly lacking to the detriment of our young people growing up there and their longer term life chances. We have some willing but very overstretched and under paid/resourced community workers, such as David and Kathy Bland, and a very willing and proactive but equally stretched Town Council.
Our vision is to recognise needs and ensure the charity operates with best practices in a practical, pragmatic and collaborative way. We want to transform the outcomes of our young people by providing amenities, friendship, a warm and safe space,expert guidance from skilled youth workers and support and links to support services from the youth employment hub to mental health services.
We owe it to our young people and those in need to give them the opportunity to improve their lot. Please support us with this exciting new initiative. If you would like to get involved or have any questions please email info@thelemner.org.uk