Aged Veterans Funding – Ex-Forces Support North Yorkshire | For past members of the armed forces over 65
Contact: Candice Dowson | candice.dowson@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk | 01904 704177
Ex-Forces Support North Yorkshire raises awareness of the specific issues older veterans face and ensure customised and appropriate help is on hand, with the ultimate goal of improving lives. This service is funded by the Aged Veterans Fund at the Ministry of Defence, by the Chancellor using LIBOR funds. It was launched in June 2017 across North Yorkshire and York enabling former members of the armed forces to access a range of practical support and take part in new activities. Click here to find out more and how to make a referral.
Village Hall research project | Understanding the future potential of village halls and other community buildings as community businesses
Contact: Nick Scott | nick.scott@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk | 01904 704177
Community First Yorkshire was one of only three organisations nationally to be awarded a grant from the Power to Change Research Institute to support community buildings as businesses.
The grant will be used to better understand the size, scale, scope, potential growth and future pipeline of Village Halls/Rural community buildings as Community Businesses. Find out more about the project here.
Community-Led Housing | Exploring new solutions to rural housing needs
Contact: Leah Swain | leah.swain@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk | 01904 704177
We are working with the North and East Yorkshire Rural Housing Enabler Network to help five communities explore new ways that communities can address local needs for affordable rural housing. Community-led housing can take many forms, including Community Land Trusts, locally-owned co-operatives and encouraging self-build. The project aims to develop ideas and resources that can then be used by rural communities across England. This project is supported by the Nationwide Foundation and co-funded by the UK Cohousing Network, the RHE Network and North Star Housing Group.
Digital Skills | Getting people in rural communities online
Contact: James Russell | james.russell@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk | 01904 704177
Community First Yorkshire is a registered UK Online Centre. Where funding is available we work with rural communities to deliver computer and online skills training sessions using local venues such as village halls, and support venues to develop their own computer-related activities. Courses are aimed at beginners and are as much about addressing social isolation as they are about computer skills. The first wave of courses reached 80 learners in seven communities across North and South Yorkshire, and since then we have helped community venues from Richmondshire to West Yorkshire develop their own volunteer-run sessions. Support is available to buy in as a package for communities that have their own funding.
Emergency Planning | Helping rural communities plan for the worst
Contact: James Russell | james.russell@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk | 01904 704177
We are working with North Yorkshire County Council to help rural communities plan for extreme weather events and other emergencies. Over the course of 2017 we will be running a number of information events at which representatives of rural communities can find out more about why they should have an emergency plan in place and what an emergency plan looks like. Communities that decide to go forward with developing a plan will then receive in-depth support to involve local people in putting a plan in place. We will also be offering support to individual households in at-risk areas to put their own emergency plans together.
Howardian Hills AONB | Supporting rural communities in the Howardian Hills
Contact: Maggie Farey | maggie.farey@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk | 07825 380051
We work in partnership with the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to deliver focused support to rural communities in this wonderful part of the world. We help local people put together Community-Led Plans to help them influence what happens in their local area, and put on special events and projects to keep communities informed about sources of support and funding, and to help get local people more engaged in community life. Take a look at the project blog to see what we’ve been up to.
Kirklees Men’s Sheds | Helping older men stay socially active
Contact: Andy Ryland | andy.ryland@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk | 07771 797073
Men’s Sheds are spaces for groups of men to come together and share tools and resources to work on projects together in a friendly and inclusive environment. The Men’s Shed movement started in Australia and has spread across the world, giving older men, often at risk of social isolation, the chance to gain new skills and new friends. Our project is working with community groups across Kirklees to support the development of new Men’s Sheds in the district. You can see the latest developments at the project blog.
Leeds Community Connect | Developing services for older people in rural Leeds
Contact: Sharon Middling | sharon.middling@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk | 07568 129511
Leeds Community Connect is providing in-depth support and small grants to three communities in rural north-east Leeds to put in place new projects led by local volunteers to address issues around social isolation among older and vulnerable residents, using village halls as hubs for new services and activities. This project is funded by Leeds Older People’s Forum as part of their Time to Shine programme, with support from the Big Lottery Fund. You can see what’s been going on recently by reading the project blog.
NYPACT | North Yorkshire Parent Carer Forum
Contact: Pauline Wardman | nypact@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk | 01904 704177
NYPACT is the forum for parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in North Yorkshire. As well as engaging parents and helping them support each other through a range of workshops, forums and conferences, NYPACT also influences the development of policies and services delivered by public bodies. Parents and carers are invited to become members and benefits also include discounts at venues and attractions through the free MAX card scheme. NYPACT is funded by North Yorkshire County Council and the Department for Education.