The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded a substantial grant to a Leeds-based charity so it can open a life skills centre in Belle Isle. The Alright Mush charity is still in its relevant infancy, but its founder believes the new centre is just what Leeds and Belle Isle, in particular, need right now.
Inner suburbs like Belle Isle often go unnoticed when the government spends money on redevelopments. Local councils tend to round up the unemployed and unemployable, stick them all in one area, and then wonder why the place goes to rack and ruin. Belle Isle is one such area of the great city of Leeds.
The name Belle Isle is borrowed from the French Island, Belle Île, off the Breton coast. British forces captured the island and held it between 1761 and 1763 during the Seven Years’ War. Belle Île is French for “beautiful island,” which is quite ironic, seeing how Belle Isle is a shithole. Robin Banks, founder of the Alright Mush charity, hopes the new life skills centre will improve Belle Isle’s reputation.
Belle Isle Residents Will Learn Valuable Life Skills
Mr Banks spoke exclusively to The Yorkshire Tribune about his plans for the new life skills centre earlier this week.
“Alright Mush is thankful to Leeds City Council for approving planning permission for our new centre on Belle Isle Circus. Belle Isle Circus was originally the site of a terminus for trams; now, it will be a terminus for tramps.”
“We’re also eternally grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund. Without them, this project would have remained a pipedream. However, once I’ve paid off my holiday and bought a new car, there should still be enough left in the kitty to get the life skills centre off the ground.”
Once open, the new centre will arm Belle Isle and other Leeds residents with skills and knowledge to improve their lives. Some of the courses will include:
- How to “Hotwire” Vehicles
- The Best Ways to Avoid Benefit Fraud Detection
- Setting Fire to Unwanted Furniture in Your Back Garden
- How to Convince the Benefits Office Your Child Has ADHD
- How to Make 30g of Amber Leaf Last For Two Weeks
- Where to Swap Milk Vouchers for MKat and Other Illicit Substances
“They’re going to do these things anyway,” Banks said, “So they may as well learn how to do them properly.”
Leeds City Council Happy Belle Isle Circus is Being Used
Mary Hinge, a spokesperson for Leeds City Council, expressed her delight at the use of Belle Isle Circus for something constructive.
“I’m over the moon to learn Belle Isle Circus will be used for the greater good of the local community. Previously, the only action it saw was when Middleton Park High and Merlyn Rees pupils met for their annual punch-up. I’m sure Mr Banks and his Alright Mush charity will breathe fresh air into the area.”
Twenty-year-old Tanya Gilbert, a mother of four, hopes the new life skills centre will give her sons a better chance in life.
“I’m buzzing about the new centre, mate. Our Braydon, Jaiden, Kaiden, and Okaythen will be able to learn new stuff once they’re old enough. If they get good at boosting cars, I might be able to get the velvet velour sofa I’ve always wanted.”
Ground is expected to be broken later this year, and the Alright Mush charity hopes to open its doors in the first quarter of 2026.
