• Community business network

    New ways to sustain your work and grow resilience

    Four people sit at a wooden table in a café, engaged in a discussion with notebooks, papers, and a laptop in front of them. The setting is bright with large windows and shelves in the background.

Building resilient community businesses

As grant funding becomes more competitive, social enterprises are looking for new ways to sustain their work and grow resilience. Our community business network supports voluntary organisations and social enterprises across North Yorkshire that generate traded income and create positive change. 

This network offers a welcoming space to connect with VCSE leaders who share your challenges and ambitions. Whether you’re a charity, CIC, CIO or other social enterprise, we’re here to help you strengthen your business model and increase your impact.

  • Four people sit around a table in a cosy café, smiling and discussing documents and a board game. They each hold mugs, and papers and a laptop are spread out in front of them, suggesting a collaborative meeting.

Why join?

Open to any voluntary organisation or social enterprise in or connected to North Yorkshire that earns income through trading. The network aims to: 

  • share news, information and practical knowledge 
  • encourage joined-up approaches to supporting social enterprises 
  • facilitate conversations about partnerships and collaboration 
  • build connections to strengthen resilience across the sector. 

Further support

We can provide one-to-one support on governance, funding, policies, volunteer management and operational good practice.

Get one-to-one support Right Right

Upcoming network meetings

The network launched in September 2025 with a year of activity focused on the foundations of successful trading, including: 

  • vision, mission and values 
  • impact and communication 
  • understanding your market and selling your work. 

Each session explores one of these building blocks to help you take a more strategic approach to income generation. 

Our next meeting is in Harrogate on 11 June, book here. Also, book onto our session on 23 June in Danby Wiske Village Hall.

Discover the events that make a difference

Our packed calendar of learning and events can help you grow your skills and boost your organisation’s impact. Explore what’s on and find the sessions that work for you.

Explore our events calendar Right Right

Keep up to date

Sign up for our themed newsletters to keep up with the latest news, opportunities and resources.

Sign up to our mailing list Right Right

Contact us

Email us on info@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk or call 01904 704177 to find out more.

Our other networks

A meeting room with wooden tables and chairs, papers and folders spread out, notebooks, printed documents, and three mugs of tea or coffee, suggesting a work or planning session. Shelves and display boards are in the background.

Finance forum

Four older adults sit around a table in a bright room, smiling and talking. They have papers, a laptop, and coffee mugs in front of them, appearing engaged in a friendly meeting or discussion.

Volunteer coordinators network

A quaint stone village hall with a green roof sign, warm glowing windows, and an open door. A bicycle leans on the wall, and potted plants sit by the entrance, surrounded by greenery and trees.

Community buildings network

Three people sit together, smiling and talking whilst holding mugs in a community centre. Other groups of people are conversing in the background. The setting is casual and friendly.

VCSE voices

Load more