Reflections on a Community Group: The Story of LISAS Group CIC

Posted on September 23, 2026 by liamkirklees

stock image of a group of elderly people.

A successful community group can have a lasting impact on the people it supports and the wider community around it. The story of LISAS Group CIC demonstrates how local initiatives, grant funding and partnership working can help reduce isolation, improve wellbeing and create meaningful social connections.

This article tells the story of LISAS Group CIC, reflects on the experiences of its founder, and celebrates the partnerships that helped bring those experiences to a wider audience.

The Beginning of LISAS Group CIC

LISAS Group CIC was founded in 2020 by Lisa Oldroyd, who was passionate about making a positive difference within her local community. The group was created to provide social and leisure opportunities for people aged over 55, including individuals living with dementia.

The group’s activities encouraged people to get out more, meet others and take part in enjoyable experiences. Members enjoyed games, social activities, day trips and opportunities to build lasting friendships. Through these activities, the group helped tackle social isolation, improve wellbeing whilst being open and inclusive to all, whatever their challenges.

LISAS Group received support from Batley and Spen Community Plus Team and had some initial funding through the Community Plus Fund, enabling it to grow and widen the offer to local residents.

Reflections and Lessons Learned

In 2025, Lisa Oldroyd made the difficult decision to close the group after five years of service to the community. While the closure marked the end of an important chapter, it also provided an opportunity to reflect on the group’s achievements and the lessons learned along the way.

To share her experiences with others interested in establishing community groups, Lisa participated in a video interview reflecting on her journey. The video captures both the successes and challenges of creating and sustaining a community organisation.

The 30-minute film has been divided into sections, allowing viewers to easily access topics most relevant to them. Key themes include:

Transport
Working with volunteers
Supporting people with dementia
Funding opportunities
Overcoming barriers and challenges

These insights provide valuable guidance for anyone considering developing a community project or support group.

A Strong Partnership with Men’s Talk Digital

The production of the reflections video was made possible through a partnership between Community Plus and Men’s Talk Digital. Men’s Talk Digital is a project based in Dewsbury and part of Inspire North’s CLEAR service.

They supported the editing and final production of the film using their equipment, skills and expertise to help ensure Lisa’s experiences could be shared with a wider audience. The partnership highlights the value of community organisations supporting one another to achieve more.

Interestingly, Men’s Talk Digital previously received funding through the Community Plus Fund to purchase camera equipment. This early support helped the group develop the skills and resources needed to become the successful organisation it is today. The team now produces professional films and videos for a range of organisations, including Huddersfield University, Leeds Mind and Calderdale NHS.

Community Funding Creating Lasting Impact

The story of LISAS Group CIC and Men’s Talk Digital demonstrates how community funding can create a ripple effect of positive outcomes. By investing in local people and ideas, funding programmes like the Community Plus Fund can help organisations establish themselves, support residents and create opportunities that continue to benefit communities for years to come.

While LISAS Group CIC has now closed, its legacy lives on through the friendships it fostered, the people it supported, and the lessons shared by its founder. The reflections video can be used as a resource to support future community leaders to build strong, inclusive communities by learning from Lisa’s experience.