Residents urged to check they are registered to vote

Residents across North Yorkshire are being reminded to check they are registered to vote at their address so that everyone who has the right to take part in upcoming elections can have their say on decisions that affect them.

Like all UK local authorities, every year North Yorkshire Council’s elections team is required by law to confirm whether the details held on the electoral register are correct. This is known as the annual canvass.

Households with teenagers should be aware that the electoral register can be important for getting a credit rating, which is required when applying for a mobile phone contract or credit card. From age 16 British citizens and qualifying Commonwealth or EU citizens living in the UK can be added.

The letter or email people receive from the council will set out what they need to do, and recipients are asked to respond as soon as possible to prevent costly reminders being posted out.

Households that have not responded before mid-October should expect a visit from someone to get the information needed in person.

Anyone concerned about the risk of scams should be reassured that the council will never ask for bank details as part of the annual canvass. There are also examples of the forms online, so people know what questions to expect.

A revised register will be published on 1 December. Find out more about the annual canvass in North Yorkshire and registering to vote at www.northyorks.gov.uk/annualcanvass

 

Health and Wellbeing Conversations training

This training, led by the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership VCSE Collaborative,  is aimed at line managers (of any profession), peers and colleagues working in Health and Social Care roles who have caring responsibilities for staff.

It is designed to help you develop the skills to hold safe, effective wellbeing conversations. All discussions in the group will remain confidential and no personal stories will be shared outside of the training session.

Some of the topics covered include:

  • Why wellbeing conversations matter
  • A helpful framework for your conversation
  • What enables supportive, helpful conversations
  • What if – example scenarios of challenging conversations that may arise and guidance on how to manage these

Dates/times of the training:

  • 17 October (12-1pm)
  • 21 November (12-1pm)
  • 15 January (12-1pm)
  • 6 February (12-1pm)

Book here today.

Nature Nurture Connection becomes CIC with expert support

Reaching out for support has allowed Nature Nurture Connection to become a Community Interest Company and learn new ways of gaining funding.

Tapping into our support has helped Nature Nurture Connection to continue their dedicated work in providing access to nature to many families across Whitby.
What was the challenge?

Referred to Community First Yorkshire, Nature Nurture Connection was interested in seeking support on how to set up a Community Interest Company.

How did Community First Yorkshire help?

Our development officer began their support with an initial online chat to explain different company structures and used descriptive examples to aid understanding. With best practice kept in mind, the development officer provided a range of helpful information and held a follow-up call to complete the necessary paperwork.

Taking the opportunity to visit the group in-person to learn more about their aspirations, our development officer was able to offer suggestions for local sources of funding – some of which bore fruit – and to this day our they continue to send across useful information to help the organisation achieve its goals.

The group successfully established themselves as a Community Interest Company and it was commented that the process also boosted the team’s confidence. As a result, not only is the group able to cater for lots of families keen to access outdoor space and nature, they are now working towards offering subsidised places in the future.

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What does the future look like?

The group is keen to expand their reach into different communities, including working with health visitors, post-natal depression groups and parents who traditionally face additional barriers to getting support.

About the organisation

Nature Nurture Connection provides wild wellbeing classes in nature, to nurture both the parent and the child.

How we can help you

As a registered charity, we understand your needs. Our local advisers work across North Yorkshire and will come to you to ensure you get access to the best quality advice and guidance including funding advice, helping you set up as a community organisation, governance and trustees, finance support, marketing advice, and exploring ways to further develop your organisation.

If you know a community group, charity or social enterprise that needs some support to be even more successful, contact one of our friendly advisors on 01904 704177 or info@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk

We are funded by North Yorkshire Council and NHS North Yorkshire.

Do you need help with:
  • securing income for your organisation or project?
  • turning your ideas of becoming a new community organisation into a reality?
  • benefitting from greater security as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)?
  • thinking about reviewing your organisation and planning ahead?
  • understanding trustee’s legal roles and responsibilities?
  • benefitting from a financial health check?

Our advisers can help. Call us today 01904 704177 or email info@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk

“I couldn’t praise Vicki enough – she is a superstar! I received a really amazing service, and it is great to have a helpful, friendly face to check in when I need it.”

Nature Nurture Connection

Supporting Neurodiverse Community with new business plan

With our help, the team at Neurodiverse Community were able to develop a new business plan.

With a thorough understanding of successful organisational structures, our development officer helped develop a new business plan to create a clearer business picture for Neurodiverse Community.
What was the challenge?

Struggling to navigate an increasingly high workload, the team at Neurodiverse Community were looking for support and guidance to revise their organisational structure to one that was fit for their expanding future. They contacted Community First Yorkshire to ask for help with managing their ‘revolving door’.

How did Community First Yorkshire help?

Our development officer undertook a complete overhaul of the group’s structure, and provided the guidance needed to develop a new business plan. Further support around legal and governance structures helped the group explore whether to become a charity, but in the end they opted for Community Interest Company status, feeling it was a better fit.

The development officer helped them identify five key areas of activity, and the group streamlined and assigned all of the organisations’ work within this structure.

A clear aim was established for the organisation and a helpful flowchart was put on the office wall, helping the team to have a clearer view of their work and enabled them to see how everything was created to fit together.

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What does the future look like?

The organisation is currently working on funding bids, seeking a permanent location, and building appropriate networks to increase the impact of their support in their communities.

About the organisation

Neurodiverse Community is a safe and supportive space for neurodiverse individuals to learn, grow, and thrive. They provide case support, out-of-school sessions, adult and youth sessions.

How we can help you

As a registered charity, we understand your needs. Our local advisers work across North Yorkshire and will come to you to ensure you get access to the best quality advice and guidance including funding advice, helping you set up as a community organisation, governance and trustees, finance support, marketing advice, and exploring ways to further develop your organisation.

If you know a community group, charity or social enterprise that needs some support to be even more successful, contact one of our friendly advisors on 01904 704177 or info@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk

We are funded by North Yorkshire Council and NHS North Yorkshire.

Do you need help with:
  • securing income for your organisation or project?
  • turning your ideas of becoming a new community organisation into a reality?
  • benefitting from greater security as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)?
  • thinking about reviewing your organisation and planning ahead?
  • understanding trustee’s legal roles and responsibilities?
  • benefitting from a financial health check?

Our advisers can help. Call us today 01904 704177 or email info@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk

“Andy was brilliant – really, really helpful – he has a good understanding of my needs and how to break information down.”

Neurodiverse Community, Catterick

Reducing energy bills: Kelfield Village Institute

By introducing Utility Aid to Kelfield Village Institute, the community group made significant energy savings, helping them to provide vital social activities within their community.

An introduction to Utility Aid cut Kelfield Village Institute’s village hall energy bills by £600. This saving will ensure their crafting groups, coffee mornings and pop-up pubs can continue to bring much-loved community activities to their village.
What was the challenge?

The team at Kelfield Village Institute were finding it difficult to reduce their building’s high electricity costs. In an attempt to reduce their outgoings, the group turned to comparison websites for help but weren’t satisfied with the suggested outcomes.

After coming across Community First Yorkshire’s annual event for Village Halls Week which had Utility Aid in attendance, the Institute decided to go along and see what was on offer.

How did Community First Yorkshire help?

After meeting Emily from Utility Aid at a Village Halls Week event, the Institute’s treasurer sent over recent utility bills to get the ball rolling. He was assigned a Utility Aid account manager who then got in touch with some alternative quotes which proved to be far more cost effective. With the decision made to switch suppliers, the account manager also helped to fill in all the necessary forms for a smooth switchover in June ’24.

The village hall’s energy bills were cut by £600 a year (with a three-year contract), a significant saving that will help ensure that the building can continue to provide vital social activities for the small village including crafting groups, coffee mornings, pop-up pubs, a choir and exercise classes. Without the hall, the community would have to travel further afield for social gatherings.

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About the organisation

Kelfield Village Hall, run by Kelfield Village Institute, is located on Riccall Lane in the North Yorkshire village of Kelfield. The hall is available for hire for all manner of purposes including birthday parties, music events, exercise and wellness classes.

How we can help you

As a registered charity, we understand your needs. Our local advisers work across North Yorkshire and will come to you to ensure you get access to the best quality advice and guidance including funding advice, helping you set up as a community organisation, governance and trustees, finance support, marketing advice, and exploring ways to further develop your organisation.

If you know a community group, charity or social enterprise that needs some support to be even more successful, contact one of our friendly advisors on 01904 704177 or info@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk.

We are funded by North Yorkshire Council and NHS North Yorkshire.

Do you need help with:
  • securing income for your organisation or project?
  • turning your ideas of becoming a new community organisation into a reality?
  • benefitting from greater security as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)?
  • thinking about reviewing your organisation and planning ahead?
  • understanding trustee’s legal roles and responsibilities?
  • benefitting from a financial health check?

Our advisers can help. Call us today 01904 704177 or email info@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk

 

“The hall is there for the community to use and provide some cohesion when there is nothing much else in the village, but running small halls like ours is getting harder and it all comes down to money. We soldier on with fundraising but saving £600 on electricity is quite substantial.”

Kelfield Village Institute

Support with organisational development: Inspire Youth Yorkshire

Support with organisational development helped Inspire Youth Yorkshire to become a registered charity and secure their building base.

Working closely with Inspire Youth Yorkshire, our development officer helped the organisation expand their inspiring offering to young people.
What was the challenge?

Inspire Youth Yorkshire is a group that has grown impressively quickly over the last few years. Realising that they had reached the point where they needed to become a registered charity, they initially asked Community First Yorkshire for help with their application.

Once registered, the team turned their focus towards finding a new base for the group, and asked Community First Yorkshire to support with the asset transfer.

How did Community First Yorkshire help?

Our development officer acted as an invaluable sounding board and source of much-needed information and advice. The development officer helped boost staff confidence to take on the project, advised on the necessary processes and challenges associated with taking on a building, and assisted with the evaluation of possible risks.

As a result, Inspire Youth Yorkshire is able to continue their vital work with approximately 300 young people per week. Taking over their current building has not only provided the charity with a permanent base, it has also enabled the young people to easily drop in to share good news or to seek further support.

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What does the future look like?

Inspire Youth Yorkshire is looking to expand their offering to young people, broaden their activities and offer a wider community space. All of this helps to address the needs and issues facing young people in Knaresborough and the surrounding areas.

About the organisation

Inspire Youth Yorkshire is an independent charity offering youth support services for people aged 8-18 across Harrogate and District, York and surrounding areas.

How we can help you

As a registered charity, we understand your needs. Our local advisers work across North Yorkshire and will come to you to ensure you get access to the best quality advice and guidance including funding advice, helping you set up as a community organisation, governance and trustees, finance support, marketing advice, and exploring ways to further develop your organisation.

If you know a community group, charity or social enterprise that needs some support to be even more successful, contact one of our friendly advisors on 01904 704177 or info@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk

We are funded by North Yorkshire Council and NHS North Yorkshire.

Do you need help with:
  • securing income for your organisation or project?
  • turning your ideas of becoming a new community organisation into a reality?
  • benefitting from greater security as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)?
  • thinking about reviewing your organisation and planning ahead?
  • understanding trustee’s legal roles and responsibilities?
  • benefitting from a financial health check?

Our advisers can help. Call us today 01904 704177 or email info@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk

“I often use the saying: ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. It feels like Community First Yorkshire is part of the village! Everybody I have dealt with has been nothing but supportive. I highly recommend anyone to contact them for support.”

Inspire Youth Yorkshire

Humber and North Yorkshire launch Whole System Reward and Recognition Programme

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Have your say and share your thoughts

Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership (HNY HCP) has announced the launch of its Whole System Reward and Recognition Group.

The purpose of the group is to identify and embed schemes which:

  • Recognise, celebrate and showcase the achievements of HNY Health, Care and VCSE staff
  • Reward staff through the provision a contemporary portfolio of non-pay staff benefits, which level-up, wherever possible, the offer to all health, care and VCSE staff.

HNY HCP is inviting you to feedback your thoughts on both their current reward and recognition programmes, and ask you to share what you would like to see in the future. To do this they have created a simple, short and anonymous 5-minute survey, which closes on 20 September.

For more information read their informative document, and you can access the survey here.

“Offering a sincere thank you for a job really done is the very least we can do to all our hard-working staff.”

Alex Seale, North Lincolnshire Place Director, HNY ICB and SRO of the Whole System Reward and Recognition programme

Support grant opportunity to provide VCSE infrastructure support across North Yorkshire

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North Yorkshire Council (NYC) and Humber and North Yorkshire NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) is seeking a supplier, or a consortium of suppliers, through a competitive grant process, to deliver capacity building (infrastructure) and support to North Yorkshire’s Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector.

The grant recipient would provide support which includes the provision of funding advice; training for staff, volunteers and trustees; support for new groups in setting up; voice and representation; and networking activities among many others. This helps to ensure we have a robust, effective and quality VCSE sector across North Yorkshire.

Please note: This opportunity is to provide VCSE infrastructure support across North Yorkshire, not including York, which is delivered by York CVS.
The grant start date will be 1 April 2025 and the grant recipient will be expected to meet the following criteria:

  • The supplier (or lead supplier) must be a not-for-profit organisation
  • Must be able to deliver support to VCSE organisations across the full North Yorkshire Council boundary.

The current agreement for the provision of this infrastructure support service will finish on 31 March 2025. Therefore, this is prior notice that a competitive grant process will be run to identify a provider for this service. The new agreement will start on 1 April 2025 and will be in place for three years with the option to extend for an additional 2 years (maximum 5 years). The opportunity is expected to be published in late-September/early-October 2024.

Attend the information webinar on 5 September to find out more

The commissioning team will be holding a webinar to provide some additional information about this service and how to submit a response. The purpose of this webinar is to provide organisations, that are interested in delivering infrastructure support, information about the requirements of the grant with some hints and tips on how to submit a response to the competitive grant process. The details of the webinar are as follows:

Date: Thursday 5 September 2024
Time: 2pm – 3pm
Where: Microsoft Teams

If you are interested in attending the webinar, you’ll need to register on the YORtender portal and search for Quote/Tender 88523 – Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector Infrastructure Support Grant – Market Engagement Webinar.

There will be a registration form within the ‘Documents’ area of YORtender, please complete the form and return through YORtender no later than 3pm on Wednesday 4 September. Dial in details for the Webinar on Microsoft Teams will be sent out via email when registration closes. Please note, attendance at the webinar will be capped at 2 people per organisation.

Additional information

The webinar is an engagement exercise; any subsequent opportunity will be advertised separately and all organisations wanting to participate will need to respond as and when it is published.

The grant opportunity and all associated documents will be published on YORtender. You can use the following link to register: Supplier registration (eu-supply.com). If you require any assistance with registering/returning a submission, please contact Mercell via email on
uksupport@eu-supply.com or 0800 840 2050 (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm).

Would you like to become a governor?

NHS Humber Teaching Foundation Trust is looking for new Governers to join their council board. Read the Trust’s helpful guide, outlining what it means to become a Foundation Trust Governor.

Join the Head of Corporate Affairs, Stella Jackson, for a presentation on what the role of Governor entails – these will take place via Microsoft Teams on:

  • Tuesday 24 September – 12.30-1.30pm
  • Wednesday 30 September – 6-7pm

Contact Katie Colrein via email at katie.colrein@nhs.net or telephone 01482 389132 to book a place.

Also, click here to view the promotional flyer, and alternatively, if you were interested in becoming a member of the Trust, download this form to start the process.

How can affordable housing help you?

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Living in rural North Yorkshire is an aspiration for many, but the reality often falls short due to the lack of available affordable homes.

Many people who grew up in rural areas are likely to want to remain in their home village, especially if their family and close friends are there too.

We’re working with North Yorkshire Council Rural Housing Enablers to explore what housing people need.

Chat to Rural Housing Enablers about your housing needs if you live in parts of Ryedale

  • Do you live in or have a family member who have previously lived in one of the following parishes – Claxton, Sand Hutton, Gate or Upper Helmsley, Warthill, Buttercrambe with Bossall?
  • Are you in Housing Need?
  • Are you having difficulty in finding a home to rent ahead of buying an affordable home?
  • Are you an Employer having problems recruiting or retaining staff?
  • Is there a lack of affordable houses (to buy or rent) in the parish/es where you live?
  • Have you had to move away due to the lack of affordable housing?
  • Do you own a small piece of land, that could be considered for an affordable housing development?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, please pop along to Claxton & Sand Hutton Village Hall on Thursday 26 September between 3 – 7pm for an informal chat with one of the Council’s Rural Housing Enablers.

For more information email affordablehousing@northyorks.gov.uk