• Submit a news story
• Add an event 
• Add a charity job 
• Add and update your services and activities in our Where To Turn Community Information Directory
• Add your volunteering opportunities to HADCA's Volunteering Directory

2.   Parkinson’s UK - Physical Activity Grants

Grants of £500 - £3,000 to develop new activities for people affected by Parkinson’s to participate in physical activity and sport or increased participation in these areas.

Projects must last for at least three months, and they should reach and engage with a wide range of people with Parkinson's especially those who may be from the following groups: newly diagnosed; young onset; people and groups seen as 'under represented’ - including socially isolated, not digitally connected or ethnic communities; people who are not engaged with Parkinson’s UK; people who are inactive, or active at low level; people who are still working.

Will fund projects and activities e.g. expanding activities/classes etc. to include people with Parkinson’s; buying equipment that will facilitate or enhance activities; essential maintenance or replacement of equipment that will lead to greater participation or increased impact; facility hire; coaching fees; specific training; developing community activities that demonstrate a pathway into sustained activity; helping people to access Parkinson’s specific online support to become more active.
Deadline: 30 November 2023.

3. North Yorkshire Stronger Communities Inspire Fund
 
If you have an idea for a project or event in your community whether you are a new group of interested residents or an existing community organisation, and it meets at least one of the key outcomes and priorities, then this fund could help. Grants up to a maximum of £1,000 are available to support eligible projects to help meet essential or start-up costs.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact the Harrogate district  Delivery Manager Liz Meade Liz.meade@northyorks.gov.uk
 

4.  Nationwide Building Society Community Grants Programme.

Two-year grants of £10,000 to £60,000 to organisations working in the UK housing sector.  Will fund local housing projects that will strengthen communities to support the most vulnerable by:

• Preventing people from losing their home.
• Helping people into a home.
• Supporting people to thrive within the home environment.

Registered charitable organisations with a housing focus, that have been running for at least three years with evidence of three years annual accounts and £25,000 minimum average income over three years, can apply. The grants can support a variety of costs associated with project development and delivery, capacity-building, small-scale capital costs and core costs (up to 20% of the amount requested).
Deadline: 26 May 2023.
 

5. The Christmas Challenge applications open soon!

The Christmas Challenge digital match funding campaign gives your donors the chance to double their donations as you raise vital funds for your work. This year it will run from midday Tuesday 28 November to midday Tuesday 5 December. Last year, the Christmas Challenge raised a record-breaking £28.6m for over 1000 charities! Up to £25,000 of match funding is available per charity. 

The Big Give also offers a free suite of resources, training and guidance for all participating charities.
Applications for this year's campaign open on Monday 15 May and close on Friday 7 July.
 

6.  British Gas Energy Trust: Individuals and Families Fund.

Funding to support vulnerable energy consumers to pay off their energy debts (to any energy provider). Grants to cover arrears of up to £1,500 will be credited to the energy account of eligible households. Non British Gas customers should check with their own provider first, as there may be funds available to support them. Applications are submitted on a rolling basis.
 

7.  The George Oliver Foundation

Funding for a range of projects in areas including health, education and social support, in the UK and abroad. Applications accepted from any UK Registered Charity that works to support children or young people.
 
You can apply for funding at any time through the year, the deadline for new applications is 31 January each year.
 

Investments and grants for organisations providing support services for charities and social enterprises seeking social investment. Funding provided for individual projects will vary, with recent grants ranging from £6,000 to £60,000.
Next deadline: 31 July 2023.

9.  Strategic Legal Fund

Not-for-profit groups specialising in legal advice for immigration issues can now apply to the fund which aims to tackle injustices and inconsistencies in law and practice that disadvantage or discriminate against asylum seekers, refugees and migrants as a result of their migration status.

Grants of up to £30,000 with average grant around £12,000, often for six months or less. Funding will cover 'any reasonable revenue costs' that are incurred to undertake proposed pre-litigation research or to prepare third party intervention. This includes temporary staffing, freeing up or extending existing staff hours, volunteer expenses, travel and subcontracting with other voluntary and community organisations. 
Next deadline 22 May 2023.
 

10.  Energy Redress Scheme - Main and Small Project Grants

Registered charities can apply for the Main Grants Programme (grants of £50,000 - £300,00) and Small Project Grants Funds (£20,999 to £49,999), which aim to:

• Support energy consumers in vulnerable situations.
• Deliver benefits to the types of consumers that were negatively impacted by the specific issues that triggered redress payments.

Organisations must be registered with the Energy Redress Scheme ahead of applying, which allows the Trust to check whether they are eligible.  Activities include: engaging vulnerable customers with energy issues and referring them for support; delivering energy advice; installation of energy saving or renewable energy measures; in-home safety advice and measures related to energy systems; training and education on energy that is targeted at supporting vulnerable customers.

Grants can be for capital or revenue funding for projects lasting up to two years.
Deadline 25 May 2023.
 

NEWS, INFORMATION & RESOURCES  

11.  The Blue Book

A summary of activities and support for older people and people living with dementia in North Yorkshire.
A digital copy can be downloaded here under the ‘Get your copy’ section.

If you would like hard copies to distribute to your clients, or to display in your organisation for people to pick up, they can be ordered via the short form here. Hard copies of The Blue Book and delivery are both free of charge.
We also have some copies at Harrogate Community House. 
 

12.  Small Charity Week 19 – 23 June

Small Charity Week celebrates and raises awareness of the essential work of the UK’s small charity sector who make an invaluable contribution to the lives of millions of individuals, communities and causes across the UK and the rest of the world.
Find out how to get involved.
 

13. Mental Health Awareness Week

On the theme of 'anxiety', this year's Mental Health Awareness Week is from 15 to 21 May.

Read why anxiety is the theme this year and what can we do to cope with feelings of anxiety.
 

14.  The Great Get Together - 23-25 June 2023

On the weekend closest to Jo Cox’s birthday - 23-25 June 2023 - ordinary people up and down the UK will unite their communities with Great Get Together events that bring people from different backgrounds together around a common cause. This could be showing support for refugees, looking after your local park, or getting to know each other through crafting or gardening.

Register your event and download the organiser toolkit here.
 

15.  The King's Award for Voluntary Service

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK.

To be nominated, a group must:

·        be made up of at least 3 people

·        be led by volunteers, not paid staff

·        have been running for at least 3 years

·        be based in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man

·        provide a specific and direct benefit to their local communities

·        The majority of the group must be volunteers, and more than half the volunteers must have the right to live in the UK.

You can make a nomination between 1 June and mid-September.
 

17.  North Yorkshire Community Awards 2023

We know there are so many fantastic local groups and volunteers across Harrogate district. This is a great opportunity to showcase the difference you make - and to receive an award of £1,000 for your group!  Nominate by 4 June.

• Best Community Group
• Caring for the environment: Awarded to groups who have demonstrated a commitment to delivering community based initiatives that protect, restore and enhance our natural environment, helping to tackle the causes and impacts of climate change or supporting nature to thrive.
• Volunteer of the year
   

18. Rural households are being disproportionately impacted by the cost-of-living crisis

Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) cites the combined impact of rising fuel prices, cost of housing and access to services as factors making life especially difficult for people living in the countryside.

In a briefing considering how the rural characteristics of the cost-of-living crisis published today, the charity claims deprivation in the countryside is often overlooked by policy makers who fail to recognise the profoundly limiting circumstances in which many low-income households find themselves.
 

TRAINING, LEARNING & EVENTS

19.  Humber and North Yorkshire Green Social Prescribing 'test and learn' programme findings webinar
 18 May, 11.30am to 1pm, online

The webinar will focus on the following areas:
•          Improving Mental Health outcomes
•          Reducing health inequalities
•          Reducing demand on the health and social care system
•          Developing best practice in making GSP more resilient and accessible

The webinar is open to anyone interested in Green Social Prescribing, and those across both the VCSE and health and care sectors from all corners of Humber and North Yorkshire.
 

LOCAL NEWS, ACTIVITIES & SERVICES 

23. Mind in Harrogate district outreach

The outreach session at Masham Community Office has moved to Thursdays 10am – 12noon.

Outreach sessions across the district can help with: 

• general tips on maintaining and improving mental health and wellbeing
• signposting and referring into other helpful services
• help finding groups and activities
• information on Mind befriending and counselling services

Individual, confidential appointments can be arranged by contacting kirsty@mindinharrogate.org.uk or 07305 049296.

The next Mind Wellbeing Group in Masham is on Tuesday 23 May. Local artist and meditation teacher Josie Beszant will be leading a session called ‘Treasure Hunters’. This will involve a talk, some creative exercises and discussion about how we find treasure to sustain us throughout difficult times. The group is held 7 - 9pm at the White Bear. The activity for the next session in June will hopefully be wild swimming. Contact Kirsty for more details.
 

24. New Dancing for Well-Being group in Ripon

Dancing for Well-Being are starting a new weekly session in Ripon for older people with health and mobility issues. Sessions include an hour of dancing which can be done seated or standing (accessible for all bodies!), followed by half an hour of nattering over tea, coffee and biscuits. You can find out more on the DWB website (where their 7 other groups across the district are also listed) or Facebook page.

Sessions will run on Tuesdays from Tuesday 6 June onwards, 11am-12.30pm at the Harrogate Road Methodist Church, Harewood Road, Ripon, HG4 1TG. 
 

25. Volunteering opportunities of the week with Squigglers Art Club and IDAS

Squigglers is an art club for young people aged 10-14yrs in Ripon and is run with support from Ripon Library and Ripon Museums, and volunteers. The group meets Mondays 4.30-6pm for blocks of activity during term time. They are looking for adult volunteers to support the lead worker, set up and pack away resources and help young people to take part in activities. Training and support will be provided. If you would like to learn new skills, be a part of your community, help and inspire local young people, why not contact Rachel from NYY on 07500 787621 or email rachel@nyy.org.uk.
 
Safe Havens is an innovative project supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse to access safe, accommodation quickly, provided by trained, volunteer hosts and supported by a dedicated IDAS worker. Being a Safe Havens host is an opportunity to guide and support a person through challenging times. Hosting a guest who has experienced domestic abuse is incredibly rewarding. Hosts can assist the guest in many ways to reach their potential and future goals. Being with a trained host in a host's own home, offers guidance and support whilst the guest plans for their safer future, free from abuse and violence. If you are interested in offering guests short periods of respite and relief in your home, please email Mel.Milner@idas.org.uk for further information.