Harehills ❤️ Love

Celebrating the Everyday Acts of Kindness that Make Harehills Special

This year’s Harehills Advent Calendar has been a journey of discovery, highlighting the people, places, and events that make our community special. We’ve celebrated new beginnings, championed local businesses, and honored the rich tapestry of cultures that call Harehills home.

Beyond the individual stories, a common thread has emerged: the power of individual action to create a stronger, more hopeful community. Today, we turn our attention to the unsung heroes who quietly work behind the scenes, weaving together the fabric of Harehills with their everyday acts of kindness and unwavering dedication.

Karen Parnaby-Harris, like many other Harehills residents, is not yet ready to give up on their community. They’re not just passionate about Harehills – they actively work to make it a better place. From creating colourful mosaic street signs to bringing Harehills to life with plants and trees through Back to Front, Karen and her fellow residents embody the spirit of community activism.

She’s been a champion for Harehills for years, and her deep love for the place shines through in everything she does. As Karen says, “Often Harehills is accused of having no community, and not being the same as the good old days… But folk who live in Harehills should not be blamed for that, because despite the worn-out tiredness of facilities and loss of community centers…many still keep that sense of neighborliness going.”

Those of us who live here know a different truth. We know about the strong sense of community, the resilience of our neighbors, and the everyday acts of kindness that make Harehills a truly special place.

“This last week alone, I have been supported by friends dropping off food while I was dealing with funeral arrangements,” Karen shared with me. “Right now, I can hear lovely folk bringing in the bins for their neighbors who are at work.”

These small acts of kindness might go unnoticed by the outside world, but they’re the heart and soul of Harehills. They’re a testament to the spirit of our community, where people look out for each other, despite facing systemic neglect and challenges.

Karen is passionate about countering the negative narrative: “Certain media sites will have you believe that neighborliness is dead in Harehills, but that is simply not true. Our street is typical of Harehills. It is made up of folk from across the world… Children play and grow up together, and when there are emergencies, there is always the offer of help.”

This is the Harehills we know: a diverse community where people come together to support one another. It’s a place where resilience shines through, where hope persists, and where neighborliness thrives.

“They still attend meetings with police and council services even though we have been highlighting the same issues for over 30 years,” Karen points out. “That shows incredible resilience on the part of folk who call Harehills home. A big part of that strength is simply the support folk give one another.”

Let’s celebrate the unsung heroes of Harehills – the good neighbour’s, the volunteers, and the everyday people like Karen and many others who make this community a place to be proud of.