Community Support

Community First Yorkshire

A merger between Rural Action Yorkshire and the North Yorkshire & York Forum

Community First Yorkshire have worked with our communities for several years. Their Community Projects Officer helps communities to:

• Deliver projects recognised as being of importance in their Parish Plans.
• Improve village buildings.
• Create/manage wildlife areas, green spaces or allotments.
• Provide village/schools arts projects through connections with Yorkshire Rural Arts.
• Improve access to services.
• Help settlements to work together on wider reaching initiatives that they have as a common interest (including submitting joint funding applications).
• Aid their linking with other organisations who can help.
• Identify sources of grants and funding.
• Develop other appropriate projects and objectives identified by villages, interest groups and individuals.

Information and contact details can be found on the Community First Yorkshire website. They also have an active Twitter feed (@CommFirstYorks) and a Facebook page ‘Community First Yorkshire’ which are a good way to keep in touch with their work.

North Yorkshire Council Stronger Communities Programme

North Yorkshire Council Stronger Communities Programme offers communities advice, support and (when eligible) grant aid towards:

• Community libraries
• Community transport services in areas where there are no commercial bus services
• Activities for young people, children and families
• Support for older and more vulnerable people to remain involved and active within their community

To find out who the Stronger Community Programme Managers currently are for the Howardian Hills Area are email:

Ryedale District Council Community Team

On 1st April 2023 Ryedale District Council became part of North Yorkshire Council (NYC). You can find out about support and events in your area by accessing the North Yorkshire Connect portal.

Coast and Vale Community Action (CAVCA)

Coast and Vale Community Action (CAVCA) have a Funding and Development Officer based in Ryedale. They can offer advice to community groups on writing a constitution, applying for charitable and social enterprise status and writing grant bids. They can also help groups and organisations to plan their volunteering strategy to ensure a sustainable longer term future for their organisations. Contact information is available on the CAVCA website and they have an active Twitter feed for the local area (@PhilCAVCA).

Next Steps Ryedale

Next Steps offer well-being activities, support, advice and signposting in your local area.

Next Steps Well-being hubs support people with mental health problems, well being issues and preventing isolation and loneliness in Ryedale, North Yorkshire, by providing drop-in activities and outreach groups in Kirkbymoorside/Pickering and pop ups through out Ryedale.

Ryedale Carers Support

Ryedale Carers Support is a local voluntary organisation and registered charity that provides practical and emotional help for carers, the people they care for and older people living on their own. The service is provided by volunteers who can visit weekly, fortnightly or monthly for a couple of hours or so. To find out more about the help that they can offer or to volunteer with Ryedale Carers Support please visit their website.

Sight Support Ryedale

Sight Support Ryedale is an independent charity which aims to positively affect the lives of partially sighted and blind people in Ryedale by enabling them to take part in activities which sighted people may take for granted, to provide opportunities for friendship and peer support, to offer information and resources, and to represent their views. To find out more please visit their website.

Ryedale Community Transport 

Ryedale Community Transport are a dedicated team who understand the difficulties many people experience, young and old, getting out and about in a very rural area. Specialist & disability transport are offered, making journeys possible where public transport cannot meet peoples particular needs. Services provided by Ryedale Community Transport include:

• Ring and Ride
• Car Scheme
• Shopper Services
• Wheels to Work
• Mini Bus Hire
• Disability Transport
• Driver Training
• Mobile Events Unit

The Two Ridings Community Foundation 

The Two Ridings Community Foundation transforms donations from people or businesses into grants for local charities and local people doing vital and life changing work. For information about the Grant Schemes that are available or making a donation please visit their website.