Welcome to Day 22 of the 2025 Harehills Good News Advent Calendar!
Christmas is often described as the “most wonderful time of the year,” but for many it can also be the loneliest. In a world that feels loud and fast, finding a place to just sit, breathe, and connect with another human being is rare.
That makes today’s story about Doodle Chat special. This project has quietly become an important space for people across Leeds to connect through creativity and conversation.
The concept is beautifully simple: a relaxed, welcoming space where anyone can turn up, grab a pen and paper, and doodle. There’s no pressure to be an artist — drawing is just a gentle way to keep your hands busy so conversation and connection can flow naturally.
This isn’t just a nice idea — it’s an award-winning one. In November 2025, Doodle Chat was named Health and Wellbeing Project of the Year at the Leeds Compassionate City Awards, a civic celebration of projects that make life better for people in our city.
Best of all for us, they run sessions right here on our doorstep in Harehills, including at the Thackray Museum of Medicine.
Founder Edek Thompson shaped the group from his own creative practice, and it has grown into a welcoming space where neighbours who might never otherwise meet can sit side-by-side, share a cup of tea, and realise they aren’t alone.
So congratulations to Edek and the whole Doodle Chat team on their award — and thank you for reminding us that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do for our wellbeing is simply to pick up a pen and say hello.
Find out more:
- Join a session: Search “Doodle Chat Leeds” on social media for the latest times at the Thackray Museum. (its currently on break, but back in 2026)
- Leeds Compassionate City Awards: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/about-leeds/compassionate-city-awards
- Doodle Chat Go Fund Me: https://www.gofundme.com/f/doodle-chat-cic?
Harehills ❤️ Love 
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