A new Mayoral fund worth £5 million will give businesses across York and North Yorkshire a major boost from today for the next two years.
The Business Innovation Fund is the final of four schemes to launch as part of the Mayoral Challenge Funds, and it comes after several months of collaboration between York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, businesses and innovation experts.
As a result, the Business Innovation Fund will be delivered through five programmes focussing on ‘Sector Activity’, ‘Spin-Out and Start-Ups’, ‘Get Exporting’, ‘Great Ideas’ and ‘Get Funded’.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:
“York and North Yorkshire has always been a place of innovation. From building the first railways and social houses, to transforming farming with new technologies.
“That pioneering spirit makes this region special, and it’s why many of our businesses have made their mark, not just here in the UK but also right across the world.
“Our businesses drive so much growth in the region, but with the right support we know they can drive greater innovation and create an even larger impact.
“That potential is why I am excited to see what we can achieve together with the Business Innovation Fund.”
The ‘Sector Activity’, ‘Spin-Out and Start-Up’ programmes, backed by more than £800,000, will be the first to launch this week.
These programmes are designed to drive forward York and North Yorkshire’s key sectors and identify barriers and opportunities for our three universities to nurture companies respectively.
‘Get Exporting’ launches in May with more than £600,000 in grants available. This follows in the footsteps of a similar programme in 2024 which provided grants totalling £200,000 and resulted in millions of pounds in sales.
From October, the £200,000 ‘Get Funded’ programme will provide businesses with financial training so they can attract investment and grow.
The largest of the funds worth £2.5 million, ‘Great Ideas’ will launch in January next year and will involve a ‘dragon’s den’ style application process. Successful businesses will benefit from wrap around coaching and investment training to turn innovative ideas into reality.
Earlier this year, Mayor David Skaith launched three other funds including the £10 million Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, the £7 million Carbon Negative Challenge Fund and the £2.3 million Skills Innovation Fund.
For more information and to access the programme’s prospectus , please visit this link.
The impact of funding to safeguard the future of community spaces in York’s outer wards was highlighted at a celebration held last Friday (28 March) in Bishopthorpe.
In partnership with Community First Yorkshire, City of York Council has supported 11 venues through the Community Buildings Fund, worth a total £133,059. The programme has also benefited from additional funds from the Decarbonisation Programme.
Help to make buildings more accessible
The grants have helped community buildings improve energy efficiency and insulation, upgrade broadband and Wi-Fi provision and install hearing loops and other accessibility measures, as well as supporting general improvements and refurbishments.
These projects will make the buildings more accessible for a wider range of people, improve their facilities, meaning that venues can expand their offer of activities and events, reduce carbon emissions, and reduce running costs, which in turn will make activities using the space more affordable for all.
Hessay Chapel was awarded a grant of £14,132 to enhance its facilities through the installation of energy-efficient heaters, photovoltaic (PV) panels, LED lighting, and a replacement window, improving both sustainability and comfort for the community.
Kathryn Wright from Hessay Chapel said: “The work that has been completed is an incredible achievement for Hessay, we have engaged with the community who are looking forward to helping with some voluntary cosmetic work as the weather improves. We are excited to see greater use of the building with the ongoing improvements.”
So much more than just buildings
Cllr Pete Kilbane, Executive Member for Economy and Culture at City of York Council, said: “Community venues like village halls are so much more than just buildings – they are a lifeline for communities. These spaces play a vital role in reducing social isolation, connecting people to key services and helping people of all ages lead healthier, happier lives.
“That’s why I’m so proud to see that by providing grants to help future-proof community venues – whether that’s through installing new energy-efficient infrastructure or upgrading digital connectivity, this funding will help safeguard these spaces for years to come, ensuring that local residents can continue to enjoy all of the benefits they offer.”
The celebration event was held at St Andrew’s Church Hall in Bishopthorpe, one of the buildings to benefit from the programme through installing solar panels to reduce their carbon impact and cut running costs.
The Rural England Prosperity Fund is part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
On 13 March, plans were announced to dissolve NHS England over the next two years, integrating its functions into the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). This aims to streamline governance, reduce bureaucracy, and cut administrative costs, including a 50% workforce reduction across NHS England and DHSC.
Impact on the VCSE Sector and ICS-VCSE Alliances
The plan to dissolve NHS England presents both risks and opportunities for the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.
Key Risks:
- Reduced VCSE engagement: workforce cuts in Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) may limit collaboration and influence.
- Funding pressures: Cost-cutting measures could reduce investment in VCSE-led services, despite their crucial role in addressing social determinants of health.
- Shifting Priorities: the restructuring may lead to statutory services dominating decision-making, potentially sidelining the VCSE sector.
Opportunities:
- Stronger local partnerships: decentralisation could enable VCSE organisations to co-design health and care solutions.
- Alignment with NHS priorities: the government’s focus on prevention and community care aligns with VCSE expertise, offering partnership opportunities.
- Increased VCSE leadership: if resources shift from hospitals to community care, our sector could take on a more prominent role -provided funding supports this transition.
Next steps
With our roles leading the North Yorkshire VCSE Health Assembly and partnerships with ICBs in the region, we will be advocating for the VCSE sector’s role in shaping health and care decisions by:
- Continuing to strengthen partnerships with ICBs to maintain collaboration and influence
- Highlighting the VCSE’s impact on health outcomes to secure investment and sustainability.
Conclusion
The NHS restructuring poses challenges, but proactive engagement from our sector can ensure its role remains integral to health system transformation. We will continue to work strategically to maintain representation and secure resources for community-based care and will provide further updates.
If you have any questions about restructuring of NHS England and the impact on our sector, please contact Dena Dalton, Head of Health Collaboration at Community First Yorkshire.
Find out how to get involved with the North Yorkshire VCSE Health and Care Assembly and add your voice about health and care services.
Healthy ageing in North Yorkshire will be the main focus of the county’s next Age Friendly Network meeting in York on Thursday 3 April.
This time around, Network members will have the chance to find out more about the latest annual report from North Yorkshire’s Director of Public Health entitled: ‘Live, Age, Engage: healthy ageing in North Yorkshire’. Joining them on the day will be Carly Walker, a member of the Public Health team, who’ll also be able to answer questions.
Priority topic
The topic was chosen to reflect the results of a recent survey with Network members asking about key topics of interest. The most popular option for themed meetings was community support and health issues – with more than 90% of respondents saying it is a priority.
Planning for the future
The event will also offer a great opportunity to feed into Network plans for the months ahead – to help make sure it is focused on the issues that are most important to members.
A slice of cake and a nice cup of tea will be on offer along with the chance to meet other Network members and representatives of organisations that work with older people across North Yorkshire.
Event details
Date: Thursday 3 April
Time: 2-4pm
Venue: The Bedingfield Room, The Bar Convent, 17 Blossom Street, York, YO24 1AQ
The meeting is open to Network members, anyone interested in joining the network, and anyone generally interested in making North Yorkshire an age friendly place to live and work.
If you would like to join us, please book here.
To kickstart Village Halls Week 2025, Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) will be launching a new book: ‘Halls for All: A History of Village Halls’.
Written by Louise Beaton and David Clark, the book pays tribute to village hall volunteers and explores their history, evolution, and the future opportunities and challenges these important buildings face.
Win your own copy by entering our photo competition
As part of our Village Halls Week 2025 celebrations (17-23 March), we’re offering you a chance to win a copy of ‘Halls for All: A History of Village Halls’.
This year’s campaign theme is all about celebrating village hall volunteers, and we’d love to see your volunteers in action. Send us your best photos showcasing the incredible people who keep these vital community spaces running – whether they’re setting up for an event, maintaining the hall, or bringing people together. There are five copies up for grabs, and the winning entries will be selected by Community First Yorkshire judges.
The competition runs from 17 March to 28 March 2025 so get snapping and celebrate the volunteers who make a difference!
Terms and conditions:
- Please email photos to marcomms@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk
- Please supply your name, surname and the Village Hall you represent
- Images need to ideally be 2MB or more
- Only 1 photo per entry
- Please confirm you have consent from any people in the photograph (who can be recognised)
- Community First Yorkshire have permission to use the imagery provided across their marketing channels.
Calling all Scarborough residents! Join North Yorkshire Council and partners for two days of community action to give Scarborough town centre a Big Spring Clean before the busy summer season. As part of an extensive programme of improvements to revitalise the centre of Scarborough, in addition to cleaning routinely carried out in the town, two community tidy up events have been planned for Friday 28 and Saturday 29 March.
The Big Spring Clean events will focus on litter picking, led by Keep Scarborough Tidy, as well as giving railings a fresh coat of paint and tidying up green spaces by weeding/pruning and planting flowers. You don’t need to bring anything as all equipment, drinks and lunch will be provided. Whether you can spare an hour, a full day or even both days, your help will make a huge difference!
Sign up here, where you’ll also find answers to questions you might have.
A campaign to boost pride in the town will launch early May in partnership with local businesses and community groups. Please email regeneration.north-east@northyorks.gov.uk if you have any questions.
Returning for its ninth year from 17 to 23 March, Village Halls Week 2025 is shining a spotlight on the dedicated volunteers who keep these vital community spaces thriving.
Halls across North, South and West Yorkshire will be taking part in the Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) national campaign week. The week is a call to showcase the important work that hall volunteers do to support these local venues.
With over 80,000 volunteers supporting 10,000 village halls across England, these spaces provide essential services, host events, and bring communities together. This year’s theme is all about celebrating the passionate volunteers behind them, ensuring their efforts don’t go unnoticed and inspiring more people to get involved.
During the week-long celebration, charity and ACRE Network member, Community First Yorkshire is encouraging village halls to host events and share experiences and insights. A particular highlight will be the release of a celebratory poem recording on Tuesday, featuring village hall volunteers from across the country, coordinated by Community First Yorkshire. Volunteers from village halls such as Danby Wiske, Great Habton, Hovingham and Hellifield in Yorkshire make an appearance.
“This week is about recognising the incredible contributions of volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes in our village halls,” said Jane Colthup, Chief Executive at Community First Yorkshire. “Offering vital skills in a variety of roles from gardeners and finance managers to DIY-ers and all-round-odd jobbers, they are the driving force that keep these essential community hubs running and we want to celebrate and support them.”
Community First Yorkshire provides support and advice to village halls across North, South and West Yorkshire, including training, resources and bespoke one to one support. As the ACRE Network member for North, South and West Yorkshire, the charity advocates for rural issues across the region.
Village Halls Week takes place from Monday 17 to Sunday 23 March 2025.
For a fourth year, BBC Radio York are celebrating and saying thank you to people and animals living in our towns and cities who make where we live a better place.
Every day they hear stories of people doing incredible things for each other and their communities. Now it’s time to recognise them for all their hard work.
Whether it’s caring for someone in need, being a brilliant neighbour, or inspiring children in the classroom, if you know someone who is really making a difference to your life or where you live, then you can nominate them for an Award.
There are 8 categories;
- The Volunteer Award
- The Young Hero (New to 2025)
- The Great Neighbour Award
- The Active Award (New to 2025)
- The Animal Award
- The Green Award
- The Fundraiser Award
- The Community Group Award
You can nominate at bbc.co.uk/makeadifference, where you can also see the full Terms and Privacy Notice.
Nominations are now open and will close on the Monday 31 March 2025 at 5pm. The winners will be announced at the Make a Difference awards ceremony in September.
Follow #BBCMakeADifference on social media for more details.