York Charities awarded vital funding to improve health and wellbeing of residents

17 local charities and community groups have collectively been awarded over £80,000 in funding to deliver community projects designed to combat loneliness and improve the health and wellbeing of York residents.

The funding has been awarded through the Ways to Wellbeing Small Grants Fund which is managed by York CVS in partnership with City of York Council’s Public Health team. The money has been made available locally through the Better Care Fund and the York Place Health Inequalities Fund from the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, to enhance community connections and reduce health inequalities across York.

“The purpose of the Ways to Wellbeing Small Grants Fund is to strengthen and support local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations to deliver activities that meet the needs of our local communities. This year, we focused on funding projects that would create community connections for those who are isolated or marginalised in York”, Ruth Ralph, Grants Coordinator, York CVS commented.

“We are delighted that the latest round of grants will support a wide variety of projects that will improve the health and wellbeing of residents in York. We are looking forward to working with all our grant recipients and watching their projects grow.”

Councillor Jo Coles, Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care said: “when budgets are tight, partnership working is key to making limited money go as far as possible. This administration is committed to reducing health inequalities and helping more people to live happier, healthier lives. These grants will support a whole range of groups across the city and can hopefully help to address some of the difficult challenges we face; tackling social isolation, providing activities for young people and providing support for those with special educational needs among other things. I’m looking forward to see the impact the projects will have across the city.”

Peter Roderick, Director of Public Health at City of York Council said: “We are proud to have teamed up with York CVS and the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board to support so many community projects that seek to address the real life health challenges our communities face every day.

“Funding these fantastic community initiatives is a part of our work to improve health outcomes and tackle health inequalities across the city. Community groups and charities already contribute so much to people across York and I look forward to these projects making a real difference to the lives of people across York.”

The funding has been awarded to:  

Home-Start York – The funding will support families with preschool-aged children through a school readiness programme for children aged 3-5 years and group support for isolated parents with babies ages 0-2 years.   

St Sampson’s Social Centre – The funding will support older people through St Sampson’s Pathways to Friendships activities, which provide physical and mental stimulation as well as the opportunity to increase social contact and make new friends.

Riding Lights Theatre Company – The funding will support the Acting Up Youth Theatre to continue for those with special educational needs. The funding will enable the reintroduction of external trips and external practitioners to develop specific skills with the group.  

Citizens Advice York – The funding will support a new advice service for young people which will provide advice on a range of issues such as benefits, debt, housing, employment, family issues, health and immigration. It will also begin a training process for a peer-to-peer young mentor to become a Citizens Advice Gateway advisor.

TCV (The Conservation Volunteers) – The funding will support a weekly woodworking sessions that will compliment other opportunities for volunteering in the park. TCV will work in collaboration with Peasholme Charity to reduce barriers and provide support for individuals.

York Women's Counselling Service – The funding will support the development of a community-based menopause support group/s in York. This will focus on early intervention and prevention, enabling women to explore the psychological impact of this transitional phase together. 

The Island – The funding will support The Island to work with selected primary and secondary schools across York to run workshops on the transition to secondary school for students who have issues with anxiety or school phobia. The Island will provide interactive and engaging activities along with support for parents and carers.

Big Futures Foundation – The funding will support Big Futures Foundation’s work to provide children and families living in poverty with counselling, life skills and support to better engage in education and learning, to improve their health and wellbeing and to enhance their life chances and choices.

Converge – The funding will support a Nordic Walking group for adults in York with mental ill health, this will add to the current ‘From Clinic to Campus’ project supporting inpatients at Foss Park Hospital.

York Community Energy CBS Limited - Funding will support the York Energy Advice project, which provides free advice and support to vulnerable residents in York.

MySight York – The funding will strengthen and extend MySight’s befriending service to residents in York. People living with sight loss will be supported to build community connections through the support of a volunteer befriender.

Haxby and Wigginton Youth and Community Association – The funding will be used to create a sensory room in the Conservatory Room at Oaken Grove Community Centre available to anyone in the local community and surrounding area.

Older Citizens Advice York (OCAY) – The funding will support the expansion of the OCAY’s existing community outreach service and increase the support provided through the outreach work at more venues across York.

Kyra Women’s Project – The funding will provide more accessible sessions for women through a Wellbeing Wednesday group; allowing new members and disabled people to join Kyra and benefit from the activities provided.

North Yorkshire Sport – The funding will support more individuals to access North Yorkshire Sport’s Get Moving home exercise programme, to support people to maintain independence.

Different Strokes, York – The funding will support Different Strokes to provide additional personal support through individual counselling and physiotherapy sessions.

Grow Wild York CIC - The funding will support a new pilot programme with Changing Lives via their work experience and volunteer programmes. Grow Wild brings disabled people and people with mental ill-health together to learn skills in a safe and enriching environment.