Local charity, Selby District Association of Voluntary Service (AVS) have changed their name and refreshed their brand, to better reflect who they are and what they do, ensuring that they can reach and help more people. They are now called ‘Up for Yorkshire’.

In the last five years, the landscape surrounding the work of Selby District AVS has vastly changed. In March 2020, they became the local Community Support Organisation, working to support the covid-19 voluntary and community response.  Since then, they have continued to develop, extend and diversify their focus and delivery.

The new name is more modern, diverse and accessible, helping them to become more recognisable, approachable and engaging. They want to reach new and current audiences, collectively and directly supporting ongoing challenges in the community. They are up for the challenge, but their old name and brand were not.

Selby District AVS have always believed in community; they listen, challenge, collaborate, support, and champion.

They are up for you.

They are – Up for Yorkshire.

Up for Yorkshire run a variety of services both locally within the district and in other parts of Yorkshire. This includes Community House in Selby, Brayton Community Centre, the Selby Community Fridge Project and Community Transport Services, various employability opportunities and training programmes, as well as outreach, support and development services for groups and individuals.

Chief Executive of Up for Yorkshire, Chris Hailey-Norris, said “With a new and accessible name and brand, that truly captures who we are, alongside our fantastic team of staff, volunteers, and trustees, we are in a strong position, to support so many more individuals and organisations. As we move forward, I am always eager to explore new ideas, opportunities and challenges that need to be addressed.”

On Thursday 23 March, at Brayton Community Centre, more than 100 people from a fantastic variety of sectors and organisations attended a dynamic launch event, marking the change over to the new name and celebrating the work of the charity.

Hannah Prole from Better Connect, Knaresborough, who attended the event said “We love working with Up for Yorkshire and know that this change will bring with it more opportunity for collaboration across projects and strategic influencing.”

Up for Yorkshire look forward to continuing to build upon their existing delivery, providing opportunities to support employability, health, wellbeing, financial and food insecurity, accessibility, equalities and inclusion.

To find out more about the work of Up for Yorkshire, visit their website, where you will also find a short film illustrating the work that they do: www.upforyorkshire.org.uk

Registered Charity No: 1146109    Registered Company No: 7565045