Support in North Yorkshire
Helping North Yorkshire groups and organisations to thrive

If you’re a voluntary or community organisation or a social enterprise in North Yorkshire there is a wealth of support and advice that we can offer you.

We are a local infrastructure support organisation for North Yorkshire, dedicated to supporting and developing thriving communities to reach their goals.

We help groups and organisations to grow and thrive through specialist advice, quality resources and training. We also facilitate networks and provide leadership development opportunities.

What support can you access?

We offer training on a wide range of topics, including trusteeship, funding, governance, safeguarding and social media. Whether you are looking to learn the basics or take your organisation to the next level, we’ve got a course for you! Bespoke training can be arranged on request.

Join a peer support network

Our networks give you the chance to learn from others and share experiences. Groups are available for finance employees, volunteer coordinators, those managing community buildings, and anyone working in the sector in our VCSE Voices network.

Support for leaders

Our Leadership Hub helps you grow leadership skills, strengthen networks and develop your team. Our Leadership Mentoring programme supports new and emerging leaders, offering guidance and encouragement. We connect you with quality resources, peer support and personal development opportunities, alongside bespoke advice to help you succeed in your role.

Find funding

Our free-to-use funding portal, Open4Communities, allows you to set up tailored funding searches and receive personalised updates straight to your inbox.

Support for good governance

We can talk you through the different options for charitable structures to find the right one for you, then lead you through the journey from start to finish. We also offer organisational health checks to help you review your strengths and identify areas for improvement.

Support for volunteering

We can help you recruit and manage volunteers. We can also help strengthen your organisation’s volunteer practices, from recruitment to management and shine a light on their wellbeing.

Request free bespoke advice

Our experienced team are here to help trustees, staff and management committees with a wide range of organisational support including:

Finding potential grants and funds, support with applications and fundraising ideas
Understanding governance structure, registration and compliance
Engaging with your community and delivering effective services
Business planning and financial management
Developing policies and safeguarding practices
Strengthening social media and marketing activities
Recruiting and managing volunteers, including attracting new trustees
Carrying out an organisational health check.

Complete our online enquiry form or call 01904 704177 and one of our development officers will get back to you.

Bringing support closer to communities

For many organisations, finding the right funding, governance support or training opportunities can feel daunting. Our Development Officers are here to make that journey easier – offering face-to-face conversations, practical advice and connections that help local groups to grow and thrive. A day spent at Scarborough Library showcases the kind of advice, guidance and encouragement we can offer:

Getting local support on your doorstep

Local support can be found from Community Anchor Organisations (CAOs) embedded in the heart of communities across the county. A community anchor organisation is a local organisation that helps bring people together and supports the community to thrive. It often acts as a hub for activities, services, volunteering and local projects, helping residents access support, build connections and make positive changes in their area.

Getting in touch

To find out more, do get in touch. Simply fill out our online enquiry form, call us on 01904 704177 or email info@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk. We are here to help your organisation thrive and make a positive impact in your community.

Many of our support services are free and are funded by North Yorkshire Council, Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Bradford District and Craven Health Care Partnership (HCP).