Recognising that the lack of genuinely affordable homes in the countryside is one of the biggest problems facing rural communities, Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) has responded to the government on plans to revise planning policy and speed up development to drive economic growth. Although the organisation broadly welcomed the proposals, they highlighted […]
Today’s announcement by Telecoms Minister, Chris Bryant, that more than 4,500 rural homes and businesses across Yorkshire are now able to access superfast broadband services has been welcomed by Jane Colthup, Chief Executive of Community First Yorkshire. The improved services are being introduced thanks to local investment of £60m – part of the government’s £5 […]
In response to the recent riots being experienced across parts of England, Community First Yorkshire Chief Executive, Jane Colthup, has issued the following statement: Community First Yorkshire stands with our colleagues in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in abhorring the recent riots in our towns and communities. We endorse the sentiments and advice […]
A new funding opportunity for community buildings in rural areas of York has been announced by City of York Council. The Community Buildings Fund will fund capital improvements that support decarbonisation and digital connectivity, as well as making general improvements and refurbishments. Funded via the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), there is a total of […]
As part of our work to highlight the contributions of people whose work involves or supports volunteers, we met up with Gail Squires, who has been a volunteer with Ripon Library Action Group (RLAG) since its formation in 2017 – and is now also one of the Group’s trustees. We asked her about her love […]
With our popular Digital Inclusion Programme now open for new funding applications, project manager Michael Fletcher asks why digital hubs are so important to make sure no-one in the community is left behind. He writes: Today, it feels like more and more of what we need to do is moving online. Have you ever thought […]
Charities and community groups in North Yorkshire have another opportunity to apply for funding to help deliver digital inclusion projects across the county. Working alongside North Yorkshire Council and York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, Community First Yorkshire, an infrastructure support charity, has opened a second application window for its Digital Inclusion Programme. Increasing digital […]
For this year’s Small Charity Week, our Head of VCSE Support, Carole Roberts, delves into the tricky topic of impact measurement. She writes: Over the past few months, our VCSE support team has been busy reviewing and refreshing our skills and knowledge around measuring impact. Why? Because small charities are asking for our support with […]
As a speaker at our Ordinary Extraordinary Leaders Conference in May, Valentina Hynes – Founder and CEO of SVH Inc. CIC – provides her take on how generosity can be a bridge to understanding, connection, and mutual respect. Generosity, to me, isn’t just a word tossed around in motivational speeches; it’s the essence of my […]
VCSE organisations from across North Yorkshire and York came together on Tuesday 16 April to pose questions to candidates ahead of the local elections for the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayor on 2 May. Hosted by York CVS and Community First Yorkshire, the non-selective hustings provided an opportunity for voluntary, community and social […]