About Us
Learn more about our mission to help families in Wakefield
Our Mission
Play, Grow, Belong is dedicated to making it easy for families in the Wakefield District to find and access activities for their children. We believe that every child deserves opportunities to play, learn, and belong to supportive communities.
Our platform brings together information about local activities, clubs, classes, and events for children of all ages in one easy-to-navigate place. Whether you're looking for playgroups for toddlers, after-school clubs for primary school children, or youth activities for teenagers, our goal is to help you quickly find what you need.
Play
Supporting children's right to play and create joyful experiences
Grow
Encouraging development, learning, and new experiences
Belong
Creating connections and community for every child
Our Story
Nestled in the heart of Wakefield at the Lightwaves Leisure Centre, we're more than just your average community hub. We're Young Lives Consortium – a family of passionate local organisations who've come together with one simple belief: we're stronger as a team.
The Blend That Makes Us Special
Since 2016, we've been brewing something rather wonderful. Picture a warm, welcoming space where charities, community groups, sports clubs, and faith organisations all sit around the same table. Like a perfectly crafted flat white, we're a smooth blend of different elements working in harmony.
What We're Serving
Our menu is all about supporting the people who support our community's youngest members. Think of us as the friendly barista who:
- Keeps you in the loop with fresh information (no stale news here!)
- Makes sure your voice gets heard in places that matter
- Shares tips and techniques to help you serve your community better
Our Secret Recipe
- Collaboration: We share everything (except maybe the last biscuit)
- Empowerment: Everyone gets a say, especially the young ones
- Inclusivity: Our door is always open to all
- Youth-Led Approach: The best ideas often come from our youngest customers
- Holistic Support: Looking after every aspect of wellbeing
- Community Spirit: Building connections stronger than our espresso
- Honest Service: What you see is what you get
- Continuous Improvement: Always refining our methods
Pull Up a Chair
Membership is on the house! Join our community and enjoy:
- Access to our directory of local organisations (like our community noticeboard)
- Invitations to workshops and events (better than any loyalty card)
- Chances to collaborate on projects that make a real difference
Find Us
Lightwaves Leisure Centre, Lower York Street, Marsh Way, Wakefield, WF1 3LJ
Phone: 01924 364198
Email: info@play-grow-belong
Website: www.younglives.net
Come be part of something special – where every conversation could be the beginning of something amazing for Wakefield's children and young people.
Our Partnership
Play, Grow, Belong is a collaborative project bringing together several key organizations in the Wakefield area who are committed to supporting families and children:
Young Lives Consortium
A voluntary sector consortium working with children, young people and families across the Wakefield District and beyond. Young Lives brings together over 70 community organizations focused on supporting young people.
Wakefield Council
The local authority for the Wakefield District, committed to making Wakefield a great place for children and young people to grow up. The council supports a wide range of services and activities for families.
WF1 I Can
A community initiative focused on empowering children and young people in the central Wakefield area (WF postcodes), providing activities, support and opportunities to thrive.
Blue Penguin Digital
A Wakefield based digital agency specializing in creating accessible, user-friendly web platforms for community projects and social enterprises. Blue Penguin Digital designed and built the Play, Grow, Belong website.
Contact Us
Get in Touch
Have a question about activities in the Wakefield area? Want to list your organization's activities on our platform? We'd love to hear from you!
Telephone
01924 364198
0770 847 1951
info@play-grow-belong.com
Address
Young Lives Consortium - Play, Grow, Belong
Lightwaves Leisure Centre
Lower York Street
Marsh Way
Wakefield
WF1 3LJ