Turning Pages, Changing Lives: How a Brighouse Book Fundraiser Is Supporting Older People Across West Yorkshire

For the past 14 years, the team behind Brick Shack and Bricktopia has focused on creating fun, creative and educational experiences for children and families. In 2025, however, we began asking an important question: how could we use those same values of creativity, communication, cooperation and community spirit to support a completely different generation?

Across Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees, many older adults face challenges that can come with ageing, including loneliness, reduced social interaction and, for some, the early symptoms of dementia. We quickly realised that the structures and activities that worked so well for children weren't necessarily the right fit for people with very different needs and life experiences.

That realisation led to the creation of Imagine No Limits CIC.

The organisation was established with a simple but ambitious goal: to develop welcoming, accessible activities that help older people stay socially connected, mentally stimulated and actively involved in their communities. From the beginning, we wanted finances to be as little a barrier as possible, so our aim has been to fund the majority of running costs through grants, fundraising and community support rather than relying heavily on participant contributions.

Since launching, Imagine No Limits CIC has already begun making a difference through coffee mornings, luncheon clubs and other community-focused activities. The response has been heartening, but continuing and expanding that work depends on ongoing fundraising.

We're delighted to share two exciting developments.

Firstly, Tesco Brighouse has invited us to take over their community book stand in early 2027, providing a fantastic opportunity to raise both awareness and much-needed funds for our activities.

Even more immediately, from 26 October we have taken over a dedicated book corner inside Brick Shack, on Birds Royd Lane, Brighouse (HD6 1LQ). Visitors can browse a wide range of reading material and take home as many books as they wish in return for a small donation. Every penny raised will go directly towards supporting the work of Imagine No Limits CIC and the people who benefit from it.

We're also continuing to welcome donations of paperback books. Whether you've got a few novels gathering dust on a shelf or a larger collection you'd like to pass on, your unwanted books can help fund community activities for local residents. Donations can be dropped off at Brick Shack during opening hours, and for those within a reasonable distance of Brighouse, collection may also be available.

A book is often more than just a story. It can spark a conversation, create a friendship, revive a memory and open the door to new experiences. By supporting our community book fundraising initiative, you're helping us ensure that local older people can continue to enjoy opportunities for friendship, creativity and connection for years to come.

So next time you're passing Brick Shack, why not pop in, discover your next great read and help us write the next chapter of Imagine No Limits CIC? 📚❤️