TSL Kirklees Community Anchor Network

making great things happen

Every community has people using their time, energy, motivation and skills to make great things happen in their community.

Usually they are in third sector community organisations – as trustees, management committee members, social entrepreneurs or organisers. They may be in paid or volunteer roles.

There is evidence that the groups, activities and projects community groups organise have a real impact on relationships, community space and our health and wellbeing.

Community Anchors are the support system for community organisations and for the people involved in running them.

SUPPORTING local groups

Community Anchors are established local organisations who share their experience, contacts, knowledge, resources and expertise with other local organisations.

Community Anchors listen to those working in communities and share information. They bring people together and help create plans. They help organisations develop, collaborate and influence the decisions that affect their communities.

Like TSL Kirklees, Anchors work in enabling and co-productive ways with those in communities who are organising groups and activities, building on strengths and alliances.

Get support, Connect and unite

Community Anchor Support includes training, learning, advice on governance, information about funding, communications expertise or anything which helps community groups work in effective, inclusive and accountable ways. Anchors can help organisations to reach local people as volunteers or those in need of support.

Community Anchors Connect community organisations to other local groups and activities, to buildings, spaces and services such as Social Prescribing or other Health Services. Anchors can also connect to decision-makers including local grant-makers, politicians and Council contacts.

Community Anchors Unite community organisations, bringing people together to share plans and ideas, have a strong voice on community concerns and work together on more ambitious community projects.

TSL kirklees Community anchor network

Third Sector Leaders Kirklees coordinates and develops the Community Anchor Network.

TSL provides the systems, structures and support that help Anchors work together, helping them to make best use of resources and evidence their impact.

TSL works closely with Community Anchors and with Council and Health services (particularly Social Prescribing) to ensure an inclusive, joined up, effective, accountable Community Anchor Network.

Understanding community anchors

This short video explains the original model and approach to Community Anchors in Kirklees.

This model is evolving. Get in touch for more details.

Community Anchor origin story

Community Anchors – Impact and Learning Jan 2026 https://tslkirklees.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Comm-Anchors-Impact-and-Learning-Jan-2026-1.pdf

Community activity and SOCIAL PRESCRIBING

Getting involved in community groups and activities can seriously improve your health and wellbeing!

Social Prescribing services take referrals from GPs and self-referrals too. They work with individuals who have health support needs, helping them to find the right organisation or activity to join in their community.

Community activity, alongside medication and clinical support, can help people manage all kinds of physical and mental health conditions.

Social Prescribing Link Workers spend time getting to know people, exploring options, providing encouragement and building confidence to take the first step into a community activity.

Community Anchors and Social Prescribing services work together, ensuring Kirklees communities have accessible community activity which supports health and wellbeing.

The health data informing priorities for Primary Care Networks in Kirklees is available here.

Find your local Social Prescribing Link Worker and more about the service on the Kirklees Council website.

FInd your community anchor

There are 10 Community Anchors operating across Kirklees.

There are five lead and five local Community Anchors, each covering one of five areas of Kirklees – Huddersfield, Batley and Spen, Dewsbury, Denby Dale and Kirkburton, and the Holme and Colne Valleys.  (We’ve split the ‘Rural’ area of Kirklees into two as it’s a huge area to cover with several distinct communities.)

The Lead Anchors will be supported by a number of Local Anchor organisations, who will help them cover the whole of their area.

Huddersfield

• Lead Anchor: Local Services 2 You (LS2Y), Contact – Iain Long or Lisa Newbold
• Local Anchors: The Branch, Thornton Lodge Action Group

Dewsbury

• Lead Anchor: S2R Create Space, Contact – Sian Smith
• Local Anchors: Ravensthorpe Community Centre, Contact – Aysha Ayub and Chickenley Community Centre

Batley & Spen

• Lead Anchor: Fresh Futures, Contact – Radek Sucharski
• Local Anchors: None in this area

Denby Dale & Kirkburton (MAST PCN)

• Lead Anchor: TIME Together (powered by the Denby Dale Centre), Contact – Paul Jones
• Local Anchors: None in this area

Holme & Colne Valleys (Valleys PCN)

• Lead Anchor: Valleys Anchor Network, Contact – Duggs Carre
• Local Anchors: Crossroads, Contact – Sue Priestley.

Useful Links

• Contact TSL Kirklees for support
• Contact Kirklees Council’s Third Sector Team
• TSL Kirklees Community Anchor contacts:
  • TSL Kirklees Community Anchor Lead – Ibrar Hussain
  • Huddersfield
  • Dewsbury & Mirfield
  • Batley & Spen
  • Denby Dale & Kirkburton
  • Holme & Colne Valleys

Resources

• May 2022 Update PowerPoint
• Introducing Community Anchors Video 2022
• Introducing Community Anchors PowerPoint
• Growing Focal Video
• Community Anchor in action – case study 1
• Community Anchor in action – case study 2
• Community Anchor in action – case study 3
• Download a community anchor postcard
• Download a community anchor presentation