Middleton Elderly Aid was first set up in the summer of 1989 when a need for a service was identified in the Middleton area for supporting and advising the elderly community. The idea came from two organisations, Middleton Advice Centre (now called community centre) and the St Cross Church both on Middleton Park Avenue. Local people set up a committee called the “Advice Centre Committee” which would meet once a month in the advice centre.

Three of the committee came up with ideas that formed Middleton Elderly Aid. They were Andrew Ingram, Jim Roy a Social Worker and Michael Hatton vicar of St Cross Church.

Without any funding to support their ideas they started putting their plans into action. Various local people offered to volunteer and very quickly a committee and a team of willing workers were formed. Local churches gave there backing as well as shopkeepers and trades-people who donated money and gifts towards their funds.

The first planned project was advertised in the local paper in the autumn of 1989. The plan was to provide a week of entertainment and a Christmas meal for two hundred and fifty people.

Offers of support came from various individuals and organisations. Local churches and school choirs offered to help, TV personalities and players from Leeds United gave up their time to talk to our dinner guests.

With this marvellous response from all these people, plus the hard work put in by our volunteers and committee members, the event was a complete success and they had succeeded in bringing Middleton Elderly Aid into existence.

Picture of St Cross Church In Middleton Leeds Were Middleton Elderly Aids Office was first based.

Christmas Meal at MEA