Harrogate and District Community Action

Harrogate and District Community Action

 

Harrogate & District Community Action 
E-Bulletin 2026 ISSUE 9 – 16 March
Share and promote your news, events and opportunities with us and our networks for FREE!

• Submit a news story
• Add an event 
• Add a charity job 
• Add and update your services and activities in our Where To Turn Community Information Directory
• Add your volunteering opportunities to HADCA’s Volunteering Directory

If you haven’t received this bulletin direct from HADCA, you may wish to subscribe to receive future issues of our newsletters in your inbox.

FUNDING

1.  THE LOCAL FUND for the Harrogate District open for applications

The Fund addresses needs of local people in the area around issues like:

• Support and wellbeing activity for children and young people
• inequality and hidden poverty
• loneliness and social isolation
• health and wellbeing

You can apply for an Activity Grant of up to £5,000, an Organisational Development (Children and Young People’s groups only) Grant up to £13,000, or both.
Activity Grants deadline:  5 May 2026.
Organisational Development full application deadline:  11 May 2026.

2.  Bettys & Taylors Group Community Fund – opening on 17 March

The fund supports initiatives that promote social mobility and employability, focusing on skill development in areas such as cooking, literacy, communication, and IT.

3. Ripon Charity Pantomime Group Funding

Do you have a group, charity, event or cause that you would like to be considered to receive a donation from Ripon Charity Pantomime group in 2026? Every request is considered.

Last year the Group raised £2,500, which was split between 11 local charities, groups and causes.

Email Joanne Johnson, Secretary at: rcpgsecretary@gmail.com
Deadline: by 18 March 2026.

4.  Two Ridings Community Foundation Small Grants Fund  

Remember this fund is open all year to help small community organisations with direct project costs or costs toward ongoing development needs to better support local people. Grants are up to £2,500.

5. Dobbies Community Gardens

This initiative offers support to groups to help transform, restore or start an indoor or outdoor green space.

All types of community and charity groups located within 20 miles of a Dobbies’ store are welcome to apply. (There is a Garden Centre in Poppleton)

Dobbies will donate plants, tools and gardening equipment to help bring your green space to life. In addition to this, there will be volunteer hours allocated, where possible.
Deadline: 31 March 2026.

6. Yorkshire Children’s Charity Grants for Organisations

Grants up to £10,000 for non-profit organisations, schools, nurseries, youth clubs, sports clubs, self-help groups and voluntary groups that support children and young people aged 19 or under.

The organisation must have income of less than £100,000pa (this only applies to registered charities) and must not employ a professional fundraiser.

7. The Youth Music Trailblazer Fund

Grants offers grants of £2,000 to £30,000 to run projects for children and young people (25 or under) to make, learn and earn in music. The project should trial work or test a new way of working, sustain a grassroots programme or disrupt the status quo (or all three!).
Next deadline: 10 April 2026.

8. Free the Fund Community Grant Programme

Four awards of up to £10,000 each to organisations to deliver fun, inclusive summer activities that improve adult wellbeing and community spaces, with projects aimed at people aged 21–65.

Funding supports revenue and small equipment costs, including improving outdoor or community spaces and purchasing arts, sports, theatre or music equipment
Deadline: 31 March 2026.

9. Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund (MHCLG)

New three-year fund aimed at ending homelessness to enable voluntary, community and faith sector organisations to:

• Increase community‑based support to prevent and reduce the number of people experiencing rough sleeping.
• Enhance or transform existing day support offers through staff capacity, physical infrastructure, service development and partnership working.
• Support individuals to live independently and prevent them returning to rough sleeping.

Targets local organisations with strong community knowledge to deliver tailored, locally relevant services that complement statutory support and strengthen homelessness prevention and recovery pathways. Organisations can apply for:

• Revenue funding: £50,000 and £200,000 per annum for any or all of the three programme years.
• Capital funding: £50,000 and £200,000 for either Year 1 or Year 2 only.

Deadline: 31 March 2026.  

10. The Speech Language and Hearing Foundation (SLHF) Grants

Grants to small UK‑registered charities working with children who have hearing impairment, speech delay, language or communication difficulties, or complex needs.

11. Children’s Alliance – Community

Grants of up to £15,000 (typically £5,000) to deliver projects and activities that give children and young people under the age of 18 access to water for learning, developing, and playing.

Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:

• Free swimming lessons and swim nappies for children who need them.
• Online learning programmes that teach valuable life skills for parents and children.
• Water splash areas to encourage play as well as water confidence and safety.

Priority will be given to grassroots initiatives delivering water-based projects for disadvantaged children. Applications will be considered from not-for-profit organisations and schools.
Next deadline: 30 March 2026.

12. Unlimited Theatre unAwards

The fund offers offers revenue grants of up to £5,000 to artists and companies working in collaborative theatre practice.
Deadline: 31 March 2026.

13. Royal Society of Chemistry: Inclusion and Diversity Fund

Support for projects that aim to improve representation, participation and accessibility within the chemical sciences community.

Individuals and organisations such as community groups, academic researchers, museums, libraries and not‑for‑profit bodies can apply for grants of up to £5,000.

Additional ring‑fenced support is provided by the Chemists’ Community Fund for projects that closely align with its focus on wellbeing, accessibility and engagement with under‑represented communities.
Deadline: 27 April 2026.

14. Music for All Community Grants Programme

Grants for schools, community groups, educational establishments, and other not-for-profit organisations to support initiatives that are seeking to bring music to their communities.

Applicants should be based in deprived or marginalised areas and be developing music education for those living in the area, including, but not limited to, social infrastructure.
Deadline: 7 May 2026.

15. Parkinson’s UK Grants for physical activities providers

Grants of £500 – £3,000 to support physical activity projects for people with Parkinson’s which:

• Support people with Parkinson’s to participate in movement‑based activities that build confidence and foster a lasting interest in being physically active.
• Engage people with Parkinson’s who are currently inactive to begin physical activity and maintain ongoing participation.

Will fund ‘Gateway Activities’ – these activities help people with Parkinson’s build confidence and develop an interest in movement-based activity. Examples include arts-based activities such as theatre, musical and circus skills, singing and movement, playing large instruments that require significant movement (such as samba drumming), and gardening or horticulture projects.

Applications will be accepted from activity providers, national governing bodies, Parkinson’s groups and branches, and sports and healthcare professionals.

Parkinson’s UK will be hosting some Meet The Funder webinars.

16. Grassroots Grants (funded through People’s Postcode Lottery)

Unrestricted funding of £500 to £2,000 to small, local grass roots groups, with an annual income under £25,000.

Funding can be used for core organisational costs that support the important work organisations deliver in their communities, including: access to food or basic essentials, improvements to local green spaces, cultural initiatives, support or wellbeing activities, volunteering opportunities to improve the local environment.

Priority to communities in the top 15% on the English Indices of Deprivation and organisations that work with and support communities classed as marginalised or vulnerable.
Open to applications until September 2026.

17.  HADCA Fundraising Network
Tuesday 24 March, 1.30pm – 3pm
Harrogate Community House

HADCA facilitates this Network which offers peer to peer support for fundraisers in Harrogate or those who are responsible for fundraising in their charity/non-profit.

It’s a friendly and supportive group aimed at strengthening the opportunities for attracting funding into our area and offering support to local fundraisers, with everyone asked to be generous in sharing their own experience and knowledge with others.
If you’re like to join us,  please book your free place so we can make sure we put out enough chairs and biscuits!

NEWS, INFORMATION & RESOURCES 

18. Women Unlocked – Free mentoring opportunity available for young women aged 16-24 in York and North Yorkshire

Women Unlocked will provide individual and group mentoring to support young women to reach their goals in education, careers, and beyond.

This project will also focus on Gender Inequality and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), with mentees having the opportunity to work in partnership with the Deputy Mayor, North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service and women’s organisations to represent young people’s voices and ensure services meet their needs.
The team are particularly seeking applications from young women who have lived experience of gender inequality or VAWG.

This is a fantastic opportunity to develop confidence and new skills and set and achieve personal goals while tackling gender inequality.

More details and an information pack
Application form

If anyone would like to apply in a different way (Such as via a video, or informal chat) this can also be arranged.
Application deadline: 10 April 2026.

19. The Great British Spring Clean

Each year, during the nation’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign, more than 400,000 volunteers clear litter from our streets, parks and beaches.

The Great British Spring Clean and Great Big School Clean are back for 2026 and are taking place from 13 to 29 March 2026. 

North Yorkshire Council can help community groups with voluntary clean-ups by providing equipment and advice.

HAVE YOUR SAY

20. Share your views and ideas to improve outcomes for people diagnosed with cancer in our region

Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance is seeking your views and ideas to inform the development of the 10-year Humber and North Yorkshire plan for cancer in order to improve outcomes for people diagnosed with cancer in our region.
They want to hear from:

• current and past cancer patients and carers
• people working in cancer services
• people working in other healthcare settings which support cancer patients general public
• general public

Complete the short survey by 31 March 2026.

21. Talk Listen Change – The Relationships Survey 2026   

TLC: Talk, Listen, Change are a relationships charity supporting people through abuse, crisis and relationship breakdown.

This survey is the first in a series that aim to provide a snapshot of the nation’s relationships, asking about experiences with friends, family and romantic partners.
Responses will help TLC understand what changes they should be fighting for so that everyone in the UK can access relationship support when they need it, and everyone has the capacity to enjoy safe, healthy, happy relationships.

The survey is open until 30 June 2026 and takes no more than 5 minutes to fill out.

Respondents can leave their email address for the chance to win a £50 voucher of their choice.

TRAINING, LEARNING & EVENTS

22. Yorkshire Energy Doctor Learn Energy Skills

A free and unique learning opportunity for individuals living in York or North Yorkshire who:

• want to develop new practical and transferable skills
• enjoy learning at their own pace and in their own home
• want to gain confidence and re-engage with education
• are interested in environmental or sustainability issues

As the project centres around energy in the home, you will also be learning practical ways to manage bills, reduce energy use and save money.
Register here for more information.

23. Papyrus SPEAK Suicide Prevention – Explore, Ask, Keep-Safe. An introduction to Suicide Prevention skills
24 March, 9.30am -1pm online

The key objectives are

• To consider the attitudes, myths and stigma that surround suicide
• To recognise and explore the ‘signs’ that may indicate someone is having thoughts of suicide
• To encourage an open, safe and sensitive conversation about suicide with a person having thoughts of suicide
• To support a safety plan with someone thinking of suicide.

   

24. Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance
Free 15-minute Prostate Cancer Online Awareness Sessions

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, with over 50,000 new cases being diagnosed each year.

Learn more about:

• the prostate gland
• the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer
• BRCA gene testing instead of screening, as agreed by government
• How to reduce your risk of prostate cancer

Find more information and booking link here  

LOCAL NEWS, ACTIVITIES & SERVICES 

25. The More in Common Fun Festival
Saturday 20 June 2026, from 12.30  to 4.30 p.m.
West Park Centre, Harrogate

More in Common Harrogate and Knaresborough are inviting everyone in Harrogate and Knaresborough to join this year’s More in Common Fun Festival – part of the national celebration inspired by Jo Cox MP’s message that “we have more in common than that which divides us.”

The free event promises an afternoon of fun, friendship, and local pride.

Expect live music, dance performances, crafts, storytelling, games, and delicious world food. It’s open to everyone – families, friends, neighbours, and newcomers alike – and aims to celebrate kindness, connection, and community spirit.

Organised by More in Common Harrogate and Knaresborough, part of The Jo Cox Foundation’s national network, this year’s Fun Day builds on the success of 2025’s event and forms part of the group’s mission to bring people together and strengthen our local community.

Get Involved
The team is currently welcoming volunteers to help with activities on the day – from stewarding and serving refreshments to running craft and games stalls – and would also love to hear from local groups and businesses interested in partnering or hosting their own Great Get Together events across Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Anyone interested can get in touch at  moreincommonhandk@gmail.com

26.  HADCA Intro Session
New to the area or in a new role?
Join us on Wednesday 25 March, 11am -12noon on Zoom

All are welcome, whether new to the area, in a new role, or just wanting to find out more about what is happening locally and how HADCA can help.

The sessions are free, last one hour and are packed with info about HELP, Community Fit; Help Out; Power of 10; Harrogate Community House; THE LOCAL FUND; our Where To Turn and Volunteering Directories, and much more!

Please book your free place here.

27. Free Climate Fresk workshop…and pizza!
22 April 5:30pm to 9:00pm
Starling Bar, 47 Oxford St, Harrogate

Speak Carbon Collective are coming to Harrogate to run this interactive card game that helps you get to grips with the complexity of the climate crisis and explore how you might take action. More than 2 million people have played around the world – now it’s your turn!
Spaces (and pizza) are limited so book now!

28. Introduction to Mindful Photography
23 March, 10:00am to 2:00pm
Harrogate Chocolate Factory Café, 63 East Parade, Harrogate, HG1 5LP (first floor)

Find some calming techniques to help you relax and see the world through a new lens with a lovely friendly group. No expensive camera needed – just your enthusiasm. Bring a smartphone and a small packed lunch. Snacks will be provided.
Find out more and book your place.

29.  New Harrogate Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) support group
First meeting Thursday 19 March 2026, and then weekly Thursdays 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Harrogate Community House, East Parade, Harrogate HG1 5LT (Entrance via The Annexe at the side of the building)

A safe, peer-led space for adults affected by growing up in families with alcoholism or dysfunction. The meetings are confidential, welcoming, and open to anyone aged 18 or over.
Contact: harrogateaca@gmail.com
https://www.adultchildrenofalcoholics.co.uk/

30. Sing When You’re Winning  

This new project is seeking 40 men to meet up on a weekly basis from April 22nd: to learn to sing together and then perform in a charity concert in July at Harrogate’s West Park Centre, in aid of Andy’s Man Club.

Volunteers, with a variety of some, little or no experience of singing, will be guided through a mixture of musical styles by a professional musical team at St Robert’s Club in Harrogate. The culmination of the project will be a fundraising concert in July.

The free-to-attend sessions will only ask that men come and have fun. To sing, learn music and perform all the while making memories and new friends is an opportunity not to be missed.

‘Sing When You’re Winning’ is supported by Harrogate Male Voice Choir.

Singers have until the end of March to sign up. For more information and to sign up, visit the form online or contact swywharrogate@gmail.com.

31. Volunteering opportunities of the week with HELP and Jennyruth Workshops 

As our HELP at Home service moves into the gardening season, we’re looking for volunteers who would like to lend a hand. We would love some extra help with tasks like general gardening; planting, tidying and hedge trimming. You don’t need to be an experienced gardener, just willing to get involved. A few hours of your time can make a big difference helping people stay safe and well at home, with clear paths and outside spaces they can enjoy. Please contact Vicky on 01423 813096 or email help@hadca.org.uk if you’d like to know more or get involved.

Would you like to be part of a vibrant social enterprise? Jennyruth Workshops has a range of opportunities where you will be enabling and supporting workers, who have learning disabilities. Get crafty with sewing, baking and cooking; bring products to life in the Paintshop; Cut out wooden items and assemble products; Join in with packaging, designing, publicity, gardening and much more! Call 01765 606620 or email volunteers@jennyruth.co.uk to find out more.

32.  Out Of The Darkness – A Walk Of Hope for The Jordan Legacy
12 April, 6:00am to 10:00am

Walk 3 laps (approx 5kms) of the Stray in Harrogate, as part of a powerful community event bringing people together to walk in memory of those lost to suicide.

33. Harrogate Neighbours Casino Night Fundraiser
11 April, 7.30pm
St Roberts Club

Doors open at 7.30pm, and tables open from 8pm. Everyone who attends gets £100 of fun money to play on 6 casino tables. Even if you have no idea how to play, the friendly team will ensure you learn quickly and have the most fun possible. There will be entertainment throughout the night, including Live Music and close-up magic.
Tickets just £20.  

Local voluntary and community sector job opportunities

Opportunities to work with HADCA member organisations and our partners will appear on our HADCA website

Disability Action Yorkshire – Personal Assistant (closing date 23 March) 

Resurrected Bites – Assistant Warehouse Manager (closing date 23 March) 

Resurrected Bites – Chief Executive Officer (closing date 27 March) 

North Yorkshire Youth – Youth Worker

Ripon YMCA – Session Youth Support Worker 

If you would like your opportunity to appear you can  Add a Job to our website. This is a free service for HADCA member organisations.

To the best of our knowledge, the information contained in these updates is correct at the time of circulation.  HADCA cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.  
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HADCA Volunteering Network

Our latest update for everyone involving volunteers in Harrogate district. Thank you for all you do inspiring and supporting people to give time.

HADCA Volunteering Network

Our latest update for everyone involving volunteers in Harrogate district. Thank you for all you do inspiring and supporting people to give time.

1.    Need extra pairs of hands to HELP OUT?  

From October-December our Help Out Harrogate volunteers gave 298 hours of support to 11 different local community projects. In January, they were busy helping Resurrected Bites at community events, including the Kindness Festival.

Since the recent launch of Help Out Ripon, our volunteers have already given over 20 hours of support.

Our partner oganisations are extremely grateful for the support. Ripon YMCA said: “They’ve made a monumental job much easier and speedier and were really good company too. I can’t tell you how much difference it made to our work and stress levels this week – it was a huge bonus having extra hands to help, and we were all able to enjoy the week so much more with the help”.

If your community organisation in Harrogate, Ripon or the surrounding areas needs extra pairs of hands from time to time for your fundraising, leaflet delivery or one-off charitable events and activities, you can find more information and request help here  

2.  New Young Volunteer Handbook

Our Power of 10 project has been working with Ripon YMCA on a new booklet to help young people get the most out of volunteering. It includes a Power of 10 volunteering passport to record volunteering hours towards achieving awards and rewards, from 10 hours upwards.

This means we can celebrate the positive difference young people are making, recognise their contributions and encourage them to explore more new opportunities. And it means young people can record hours given across different projects, as they try new things, meet new people and build relationships on their volunteering journey.

Please email powerof10@hadca.org.uk if you would like some copies or please download on our website  or access here

We’re very proud of our young Power of 10 volunteers who have given over 3,700 volunteering hours since September.

 

3. Our Community Fit Crew are ready to help you!

Last year alone Community Fit gave over 800 hours of volunteer help to 29 different charities, schools, churches and community groups in the Harrogate area.

Our crew of enthusiastic volunteers is growing rapidly and we are looking for even more local organisations to help in 2026.

We can offer assistance with ad hoc practical tasks on a Wednesday evening – sorting donations, moving furniture, basic gardening – anything where many hands make light work!

They’re a practical bunch and can turn their hands to most things (within a 2-mile radius of Harrogate Community House)!

“Comunity Fit performed another volunteering miracle at our Day Centre on Wednesday evening! As if by magic, 14 runners and walkers appeared from the dark town centre streets and within 30 minutes had transformed our donations mountain into organised, sorted piles of warm hoodies, jumpers and coats.”

We’d love to hear from you if you think we can help you out! 
Please email Anna at communityfit@hadca.org.uk and finf out more about being a Community Fit Partner at https://hadca.org.uk/CommunityFit-InfoForOrgs 
4. Looking for more volunteers? 
Add your opportunities to our searchable Directory so people can find your roles!   

Looking for extra help with your organisation’s fundraising, social media, events or admin, in your shop, café, library or garden?
Need committee members, befrienders, drivers, social media or website help?

Remember that you can advertise your volunteering opportunities in our local HADCA Volunteering Directory for free! If you’re not already registered to advertise your roles, you can do this quickly now here

‘HADCA is responsible for a large portion of our volunteers, having seen the advert on the HADCA volunteer directory.’

Opportunities are also shared on social media (please tag our dedicated volunteering account @VolunteerHADCA), in our weekly e-bulletin, regular press columns and in our booklet of opportunities available at community venues and local events around the Harrogate district.

If you have any questions we’re always here to help at volunteer@hadca.org.uk

 

5.  Student Volunteering Week  9-15 February 2026

The Week celebrates student volunteering in the following ways:

• Improves student wellbeing
• Develops students’ employability
• Contributes positively to the wider and local community life

You can use the week to recognise existing volunteers, as an opportunity to recruit volunteers or to offer one-off opportunities for students to get involved on a low commitment basis.

This year has the following themes:

• Monday 9th – Micro-Monday
• Tuesday 10th – Transferable Skills Tuesday
• Wednesday 11th – Wellness Wednesday
• Thursday 12th – Thankful Thursday
• Friday 13th – Friendly Friday
• Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th – Sustainable Saturday and Sunday.

Remember to download our new Volunteer Handbook for young people so students can record their volunteering hours towards their Power of 10 Awards and Rewards.

 

6.  Volunteer Coordinators Network meeting: 
Volunteer Action Planning: building a joined-up approach across your organisation
2 March in Knaresborough

This practical, friendly session will help Volunteer Coordinators collaborate effectively with colleagues to create clear, joined-up processes for recruitment, training and support. Through shared learning and examples of good practice, you’ll explore mapping responsibilities, improving communication and building a culture where everyone understands their role in volunteer engagement.

 

7.  Local Hero Awards 2026

The Your Harrogate Local Hero Awards with Harrogate Town are back for 2026 – and nominations are now open!

The Awards shine a light on the selfless, dedicated and inspirational people living and working in the Harrogate District.
Do you know someone who deserves recognition? Nominate them in one of 14 categories including:

Volunteer of the Year
Community Champion Award
Charity Fundraiser of the Year

 

8. Managing conflict and ending volunteering well
17 February, 10:00 until 13:00 online
This NCVO course looks at how to build a positive volunteer culture that minimises potential conflicts and ensures the continued support of volunteers to help your charity flourish.

Volunteers and the law
18 February, 10:00 until 13:00 online
This NCVO course will help you create a positive and inclusive experience for volunteers, exploring best practice in relation to safeguarding, data protection, health and safety, and equality.

 

9.  The Big Help Out

The Big Help Out is returning in 2026, to offer light touch and easy ways for people to get involved with good causes, with a focus on local action.

This year, Eden Project Communities will be leading the campaign and bringing it together with The Big Lunch over the weekend of 5-8 June.
You can register to get the latest news and updates from The Big Help Out.

 

10. Harrogate Community House is home to a variety of vital and much-loved charities and we offer a warm and friendly welcome to all tenants and visitors. We also have well equipped meeting spaces to hire. These can be booked by anyone and are suitable for everything from interviews, one to one to training, workshops and group events for up to 25 people.

Our friendly reception team would be very happy to show you round and give details of our very reasonable terms. We are less than 10 minutes from Harrogate railway and bus stations.

Find out more here or call in Monday to Thursday 9 – 4.30 pm (other times by arrangement).

11. Volunteering News, Views and Resources Round up

Tasks and Roles
Advice from Buddle on understanding your needs, breaking roles down into tasks and delegating effectively, with example role descriptions. This advice is aimed at clubs and community organisations offering sport and physical activity, but is useful to all organisations.

The Saltways free workshops for non-profits
The Saltways, a specialist filmmaking agency for charities, is running free workshops for non-profits on different aspects of filmmaking, including how to create effective content using your phone.
These workshops are open to anyone involved with a charity who is interested in creating more effective content.

IVR welcomes the second International Year of Volunteers
For IVY2026 the Institute for Volunteering Research (IVR) is opening up their  archive of over 25 years of volunteering research as an open access resource, including their  Volunteering Impact Assessment Toolkit and 25th anniversary book ‘Volunteering Research and the Test of Experience’.

Flexible volunteering: Offer better opportunities to volunteers
Charities, if they want to attract new volunteers, need to offer opportunities that tally with their way of life. That means going digital.

A complete guide to volunteer management systems
Charity Digital explore volunteer management systems, explain how to use them efficiently and effectively, and look at some of the best systems currently on the market.

Community First Yorkshire Resources: 
Volunteering – Support and Supervision
Ideally all volunteers should receive regular support and supervision sessions. The form this takes will vary from role to role and from volunteer to volunteer. Some volunteers may need a little more help and support, perhaps due to a disability or mental health problem. Some volunteers may need a little extra training or in role coaching. Other volunteers may lack confidence, and need reassurance they are doing things correctly.

Volunteering – What To Do If Things Go Wrong
As part of making sure your volunteers’ experiences are as enjoyable and positive as possible, it is a good idea to offer regular support to all volunteers. Sometimes, however, problems do arise.

Some food for thought from some recent blogs 

The Shift towards Communit-eers
Why can’t we begin moving volunteering towards a community partnership, one more inclusive, and geared towards engaging volunteers versus using volunteers?

Three Shifts That Might Define Volunteer Engagement in International Volunteer Year 2026
What strategic leap will your organisation take to meet the future of volunteering?

Open Data and Volunteer Passports: Are We Solving the Right Problem?
It would take a brave culture shift for many organisations to skip their own checks. For many, insurance requirements, internal policies and an abundance of caution would often mean those processes remain in-house.

12.  Community Life Survey 2024/25

Findings include:

• 17% of adults had participated in formal volunteering at least once a month in the last 12 months
• 24% of adults had participated in informal volunteering (defined as giving unpaid help to individuals who are not a relative) at least once a month.

13.  Get into Volunteering – Online course

• Discuss the benefits of volunteering to oneself, organisations and the wider community
• Identify a range of volunteering opportunities based on own interests
• Identify ways to become a volunteer
• Find out more about a range of accredited Volunteering courses.

14. HADCA weekly e-bulletins – don’t miss out! 

‘The HADCA bulletin is the most useful and interesting email I receive all week – I look forward to it coming!’
Don’t miss out on any training, funding, resources, guidance or partnership opportunities and make sure you get a chance to respond to consultations and surveys on issues that matter to you and the people you work with. Our HADCA weekly e-bulletins are packed full of the latest news and updates on local services.
Read the latest  bulletin   
Subscribe now

www.hadca.org.uk/InvolvingVolunteers

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Harrogate & District Community Action 
E-Bulletin 2026 ISSUE 3 – 24 January
Share and promote your news, events and opportunities with us and our networks for FREE!

• Submit a news story
• Add an event 
• Add a charity job 
• Add and update your services and activities in our Where To Turn Community Information Directory
• Add your volunteering opportunities to HADCA’s Volunteering Directory

If you haven’t received this bulletin direct from HADCA, you may wish to subscribe to receive future issues of our newsletters in your inbox.
FUNDING

1.  Nidderdale Plus Community Fund

Grants up to £2,000 for local charities in Nidderdale. The fund supports projects promoting wellbeing, independence, belonging, and community energy needs.
Deadline: 26 March 2026.

A reminder that you can meet the Two Ridings Grants team
on 2 February, 10.30am – 1.30pm
at Nidderdale Plus, Station Square, Pateley Bridge HG3 5AT.
2. Hold a More in Common Event – Small Grants Available

Harrogate and Knaresborough More in Common is offering 2–3 partnership grants of up to £150 for local community organisations to hold for simple, welcoming events that bring together different groups of people in Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Examples of events might include:

·        Intergenerational activities or shared meals

·        Creative or cultural events co-hosted by different communities

·        Open community days with a More in Common theme

Shared publicity and visibility.
Simple application, quick decisions.

Deadline: Friday 6 February. 

To find out more email moreincommonhandk@gmail.com
Decisions will be shared within two weeks.

Find out more about the More in Common Network
3.   North Yorkshire Council – Speak Up Grants

North Yorkshire Council Health and Adult Services new grant opportunity for work which empowers people to have a voice and speak up about things that matter to them.

Grants of up to £4,995 for groups and organisations in North Yorkshire who work with adults who

•           Have social care needs, or
•           Are unpaid carers, or
•           Experience health inequalities or barriers to accessing services

The work or project must be led by your group’s members and enable people to gain confidence in speaking up. The money can be used to build on work that your group already does or to do a new project. The work or project must happen between 1 April 2026 and 30 March 2027.

You can find out more in the information pack (plain English) (Easy Read)

Download the application form or Easy Read application form

If you prefer, you can submit your answers to the questions in Section 2 as a video or sound recording.

There will be two identical online information sessions on

·       Tuesday 27 January 1.30-2.30pm
·       Wednesday 4 February 10.00am-11.00am

Please contact HASengagement@northyorks.gov.uk or call 01609 534916 to book onto one of these sessions, and if you have any questions or require information in a different way.

Deadline: 12pm, Wednesday 18 February.
4.  Community Fund – York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority – Policing, Fire and Crime Team

The Community Fund, which supports projects reducing anti-social behaviour via early intervention, now incorporates the Police Property Fund and the Mayor’s Movement, Activity and Sport Fund.

Grants of £500 up to £30,000 are available, but only applications that meet the Movement, Activity and Sport Fund   (reducing inequalities and improving wellbeing through increased participation in movement, activity and sport at all stages of life) will currently be accepted for submissions.
Deadline: 29 January.  
5. The Charles & Elsie Sykes Trust

Grants for registered charities based in Yorkshire or benefiting Yorkshire directly.
The deadline for each grant meeting is the last Friday in Jan, Apr, Jul and Oct.
6. DofE Access Without Limits Funding

Grant funding of up to £10,250 is available for eligible community and voluntary organisations to set up and deliver the DofE, as well as the enrolment costs for young people taking part.

Aswell as grant funding, organisations are offered support. This includes training for staff and volunteers, a dedicated member of the funder’s staff team working collaboratively to support everything from training, mentoring, reporting and monitoring the progress of young people on their DofE journey.

Eligible organisations must primarily work with marginalised young people and be an incorporated not‑for‑profit.
Deadline: 31 January 2026.
7.  BBC Children in Need: Helping Improve Children’s Lives in the UK – Project Grants

Grants up to £120,000 (though most are much less) to cover project costs for not‑for‑profit organisations dedicated to supporting disadvantaged children and young people (up to age 18).

Project Costs support the aims and delivery of a specific piece of work. This work will usually be time-limited and based on a defined set of activities. Applicants to this programme can apply for grants for up to three years.
8. BBC Children in Need: Helping Improve Children’s Lives in the UK – Core Grants

Grants up to £120,000 (though most are much less) for not‑for‑profit organisations supporting disadvantaged children and young people up to age 18.

The Core Costs funding stream supports essential organisational and administrative spending. These are the key expenses required to keep your organisation running.
9. Scaling Impact in Health and Care Fund -Sir Jules Thorn Trust

Grants between £150,000 and £500,000 to registered or exempt charities and NHS organisations to scale up proven health and care interventions.
Deadline: 16 March.
10.  Get Fishing Fund

Grants up to £2,000 to support angling clubs, fisheries, Community Interest Companies, schools and local authorities to deliver angling events and activities that will introduce new people to fishing.
Deadline: 30 January.
11.  The JRCT Rights and Justice Programme

Varied grants available for projects promoting racial justice and equal opportunity to build a harmonious multi-racial, multi-ethnic society.
Deadline: 2 March.
12. The Access Foundation Grants – Digital Divide

Grants of between £15k and £50k to support charities and CICs to mitigate the digital divide by making IT facilities, support and learning available to disadvantaged and vulnerable people.
13. Forte Charitable Foundation Grants

Funding for small and medium‑sized charitable organisations across the UK that address local issues in areas of extreme urban deprivation or deprived rural communities.

The Foundation offers two main funding streams:
Small Grants of £2,000 to £10,000 for one year aimed at organisations with an annual income up to £250,000.

Major Grants of £10,000 to £50,000 per year or up to £100,000 over three years for organisations with an annual income up to £500,000.

Funding can be used for core costs, salaries, running costs and project delivery.
14. The Anchor Foundation

Grants of £500 to £12,000 for registered Christian charities who are working to address social exclusion, particularly through ministries of healing and the arts. Only in exceptional circumstances will grants be given for building work.
Next deadline: 31 January.
15. Aviva Financial Futures Fund

Funding for long-term solutions that help people feel more secure, confident, and in control of their financial future.

Minimum grants of £100k to charitable, non-profit, and social enterprises, with income of £1m or more, for initiatives that aim to address the drivers of financial resilience and promote lasting change, whether it’s improving access to financial services, building financial capability, or tackling systemic barriers.
Deadline: 15 April.
16. Aviva Community Fund

Organisations (with maximum annual income of £1 million) approved to take part in the Communities Fund can receive up to £25,000 in match funding per calendar year, with a maximum of £250 matched for each unique donation. You can submit up to two applications per year.

The fund supports organisations and projects that focus on either: Financial wellbeing or Climate action.
17.  Nidderdale Charity Walk and Run 2026
Sunday 17 May

A brilliant way to raise funds for your favourite local charity, enjoy some fresh air and our lovely Nidderdale countryside in spring.

Enter a team with a choice of walks from 4 to 26 miles! Our friends at Rotary Club of Harrogate have been organising the Nidderdale Charity Walk for over 30 years and they do a brilliant job. Charities with at least 10 supporters receive a donation from the Rotary Club too.
18.  Core Costs Applications Masterclass
Tuesday 3 February, 1pm – 2pm online

Learn practical tips to create winning, competitive applications. Accessing unrestricted core costs grants to help your organisation cover all the costs (e.g. rent, utilities, salaries) you need to deliver your charitable work are the priority for many charitable organisations and fundraisers. But these are often in short supply and those that exist are highly subscribed.

19.  Two Ridings Drop-In
Wednesday 4 February, 2-3pm, online

The team will give tips on writing strong applications. This is your chance to ask any questions you may have.

As always, the Drop-Ins are an ideal opportunity to connect and chat with other community advocates from all over the region. It’s a safe, inclusive space where everyone’s voice is welcomed and valued.
NEWS, INFORMATION & RESOURCES 

20. Harrogate Town Council’s useful guide to local services

Find this on their website at https://harrogatetowncouncil.gov.uk/services-and-issues/
21.  NHS Healthy Choices Quiz

A simple way to assess your lifestyle across six themes, as you may have seen promoted by Kenny the talking hamster!

Upon completion, it provides an overall score and signposts to relevant free NHS digital tools and content.
22.  CAST free AI support resources

AI course: A self-serve course, designed to help participants safely and confidently explore the potential of AI.

AI Hub: A ‘living library’ of free resources, guides, workshop recordings, templates, toolkits and frameworks.

Guide to ten AI tools: A comprehensive blog introducing ten AI tools, with tips, demos, experiments and resources.

CAST’s newsletter: A monthly newsletter, containing a wealth of free digital and AI events and resources.

 

HAVE YOUR SAY 

23. Views wanted of women not in work due to caring responsibilities or being a student

York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority would like to hear about the experiences of women who want to work but can’t, so that they can design future support to help people who want to be in work.

They’re offering a £30 voucher for people who take part.

The research involves a confidential conversation with a researcher from the Kada Research team, at a local place like a nearby library. The conversation will take around one hour in January or February 2026.

Anyone interested can email Laura at laura@kadaresearch.co.uk or call at 07902 751635.
TRAINING, LEARNING & EVENTS

24.  The Saltways free workshops for non-profits

The Saltways, a specialist filmmaking agency for charities, is running free workshops for non-profits on different aspects of filmmaking, including how to create effective content using your phone.

These workshops are open to anyone involved with a charity who is interested in creating more effective content.
25. Making TikTok work for your charity in 2026
Tuesday 17 March, 10:00 – 11:00, online

In this free Media Trust session, you’ll learn what’s working on TikTok in 2026 and how charities can create effective short-form video without big budgets or specialist teams.

Led by short-form video expert Richard Roaf, this practical session will explore proven video styles, simple filming and editing techniques, and realistic ways to get started quickly. Sign up if your charity is new to TikTok, or if you’re keen to build confidence and momentum on the platform.
26. HPH Winter Charity Seminar
Tuesday 24 February, 9-10am

FREE, interactive, online seminar.
Now the legislation is final, this seminar will provide an overview of SORP 2026, threshold changes, and explore tax legislation introduced in the latest budget.
Please email Yvonne.Kilgallon@hphonline.co.uk  to reserve your place and receive joining instructions.
27. IDAS Community Champion training
5 February, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Free online training session to learn more about the role of an IDAS Champion. Often, people impacted by domestic abuse and sexual violence lack the knowledge and confidence of where to go to get help and support. IDAS Champions are volunteers who seek out opportunities to raise awareness of domestic abuse, as well as the services available so that more people can get support if they need it. Champions choose how much time to give and which activities to undertake.

 

LOCAL NEWS, ACTIVITIES & SERVICES 

28. Join the More in Common Reference group

Help Shape Work That Brings Our Communities Together

More in Common is setting up a Harrogate and Knaresborough Reference Group to help guide local work aimed at strengthening trust, understanding, and a sense of belonging between people in our area.

The group will meet around three to four times a year, with a light time commitment.
The purpose of the group is to make sure our work is rooted in real local experience. Members of the reference group will help shape priorities, test ideas, and highlight what really matters to people from different backgrounds, communities, and walks of life.

This is not a delivery group or a talking shop. It is a space to:

·        Sense-check plans and approaches before they are rolled out

·        Share insight about local tensions, connections, and opportunities

·        Help ensure work is inclusive and reaches people who are often unheard

·        Support activity that brings people together with different perspectives and backgrounds

More in Common are looking for people who live or work in Harrogate or Knaresborough and who have:

·        Strong links into local communities or networks, or

·        Lived experience that can help ground this work in reality

If you are interested in helping shape work that aims to strengthen relationships and social cohesion locally, the group would welcome hearing from you.

Contact: Jo Webb at moreincommonhandk@gmail.com (please don’t use the incorrect email included in a previous bulletin) 

Find out more about the More in Common Network 
29. New Weekend Wellbeing Memory Café
2nd and 4th Saturday of each month, 10:30am-12:30pm
100A Knaresborough Road, Harrogate, HG2 7NN.

New café for people living with dementia, cognitive impairment or memory concerns, and their families and carers.

A relaxed, friendly and supportive space where people can go along for a cuppa, a chat, some gentle activities, and to feel welcome, understood and included. £3 donation per person to cover refreshments.

If you would like to attend or want more information, please call 01423 223454 or email daycare@therainbowcaregroup.com
30. Harrogate Town AFC Community Foundation Pitch Positive
Tuesdays 7-9pm at Rossett Sports Centre HG2 9PH

A supportive, social space for men (18+) with the bonus of a game of football thrown in. Great for improving physical and mental wellbeing through conversations and being physically active. All levels of fitness and footballing ability welcome. £6 per session.
Find out about all the Foundation’s weekly activities here
31. New Community Cuppa at Ripon Community House
The next get together is on Monday 9 February, 9.30-11.30am

A warm caring space to look out for one another and share a chat, where everyone is welcome. £2 including a cuppa and biscuits.
32. Swift Project Outreach sessions

The Swift Project provides free professional, confidential and impartial advice and casework, specifically targeted towards the needs of the migrant communities.
Outreach session with advice on eVisas, Benefits, Energy, Housing and referral for specialist advice. The local session is:
28 January, 12:00 – 14:00 at Harrogate College, HG2 8QT.
33.  Inspire Youth Inspire Self Youth Coach Service 

A new free support programme for young people aged 16–24 who are at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training), or who are already economically inactive and unsure of their next steps. Participation is completely free, flexible, and tailored to needs initially for up to 10 weeks. Referrals can be made by parents, professionals or self-referrals, ensuring young people can access support in a way that feels comfortable for them.

There are also Group Workshops at Inspire Youth Yorkshire Community Hub, Knaresborough. You can sign up here

• 28 January, 4-6pm – Life skills, Budgets and Batch cooking
• 16 February, 11am – 1pm – Arts and Building Resilience
• 13 March, 1-3pm – Career Journeys, Meet & Greet Employers.

34. EmpowHER
Every other Friday from 16 January, 4-5.30pm
Inspire Youth Yorkshire Community Hub, Knaresborough

A safe, welcoming space for girls (aimed at aged 10-16 years) to build confidence, share experiences, and support each other’s health and wellbeing, speaking up for change.
Sign up with the Young Persons Membership Form
35. Volunteering opportunities of the week with Harrogate Skills 4 Living Centre and Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Are you free on Thursday mornings and kind, patient and enjoy listening? You could be a Volunteer supporting adults with disabilities at Jubilee Allotments with Harrogate Skills 4 Living. You’ll provide support to undertake tasks instructed by the resident tutor, which may include using trowels, potting up, harvesting, raking, weeding. There is no “heavy work” and you don’t necessarily need gardening skills. The adults enjoy chatting about their lives and feeling that people are listening and interested.

Are you able to commit to a minimum of 20 hours per month of voluntary service and have access to a vehicle which can be used for responding purposes? You could be a Community First Responder with Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, trained to use life-saving skills in your local area. In many medical emergencies the first few minutes are critical and if effective treatment can be provided at this time, lives can be saved and disability reduced. This is especially true for heart attacks and medical conditions that have caused someone to lose consciousness.
36. Level 1 Kings Trust Award in Personal Development and Employability Skills
Mondays 12.30 – 3pm, 2, 9,16 and 23 Feb and 2, 9 and 16 March at Ripon YMCA

Free course for young independent adults (18-25) not in steady employment or training who are keen to learn new Skills For Work. Hot food and snacks at every session. Contact lucy@riponymca.org to find out more and reserve a place.
37.  The Studio – free creative workshops
Adult (18-65) & Young Persons (16-24) Programme, Thursdays 10.30am-12.00noon
Women’s focused group, Thursdays 1.30-3pm
Holding Space, at Creative Harrogate, 2 Victoria Ave, Harrogate HG1 1EL

Build social confidence, wellbeing and social skills. No art experience needed.
For young people aged 16-24 who are not in education, training or employment (NEET), or are at risk of being so
For adults (18-65) who are not currently in work, or seeking immediate work, who may have long term health conditions, including mental ill health.

More information, sign up and referral forms at https://www.holdingspace.art/The-Studio/
Local voluntary and community sector job opportunities

Opportunities to work with HADCA member organisations and our partners will appear on our HADCA website

Yorkshire and Humberside Asbestos Support Group (SARAG) – Activity and Support Worker (Closing date 1 February 2026) 

Yorkshire and Humberside Asbestos Support Group (SARAG) – Admin and Communications Officer (Closing date 1 February 2026) 

The Police Treatment Centre – Harrogate – Communications and Marketing Officer (Closing date 8 February 2026) 

The Police Treatment Centre – Harrogate – Fundraising Officer (Closing date 8 February 2026) 

Mind in Harrogate District – Volunteer Coordinator (Closing date 8 February 2026) 

Community First Yorkshire – Development Officer (Learning & Development) (Closing date 11 February 2026) 

North Yorkshire Together – Head of North Yorkshire Together ) (Closing date 12 February 2026) 

North Yorkshire Youth – Youth Worker

Ripon YMCA – Session Youth Support Worker 

If you would like your opportunity to appear you can  Add a Job to our website. This is a free service for HADCA member organisations.

To the best of our knowledge, the information contained in these updates is correct at the time of circulation.  HADCA cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.  
…………………………………………………………..

Harrogate & District Community Action 
E-Bulletin 2026 ISSUE 1 – 8 January

Share and promote your news, events and opportunities with us and our networks for FREE!

• Submit a news story
• Add an event 
• Add a charity job 
• Add and update your services and activities in our Where To Turn Community Information Directory
• Add your volunteering opportunities to HADCA’s Volunteering Directory

If you haven’t received this bulletin direct from HADCA, you may wish to subscribe to receive future issues of our newsletters in your inbox.
FUNDING

1.  Hold a More in Common Event – Small Grants Available

Harrogate and Knaresborough More in Common is offering 2–3 partnership grants of up to £150 for local community organisations to hold for simple, welcoming events that bring together different groups of people in Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Examples of events might include:

• Intergenerational activities or shared meals
• Creative or cultural events co-hosted by different communities
• Open community days with a More in Common theme

Shared publicity and visibility.
Simple application, quick decisions.

Deadline: Friday 6 February. 

To find out more email moreincommonhandk@gmail.com
Decisions will be shared within two weeks.

Find out more about the More in Common Network.

2. The Giving Machine Community Grants

Unrestricted grants of £250 available for UK based good causes with a turnover of less than £1m.
Deadline: 31 January 2026.

3.   Northern Rail Small Grants

Grants of £500 for charities, community groups and projects, responding to community needs.
Deadline: 23 January 2026.

4. John Rayner Charitable Trust

Grants of £1,000 – £5,000 for UK‑registered charities supporting children & young people, carers & the elderly, medical support, disabled people, sport for all ages and abilities, the arts. Core funding supported.
Deadline: 31 January 2026. 

5. The JJ Charitable Trust – Literacy Small Grants Scheme

Grants of £5,000–£20,000 over 1–3 years for UK registered charities, CICs, CIOs, or exempt charities improving literacy for children and young people aged 5–18, with a focus on learning difficulties and areas of disadvantage.

Priority given to organisations with income under £1m. Eligible projects include volunteer-led reading support and transitional-stage interventions; funding is for project/revenue costs.
Next deadlines: 4 March, 3 June and 1 October.  

6. Apart, not Alone: Support for serving families facing service-related separation programme 2025-26

Provides grants of £5,000–£50,000 for projects supporting serving Armed Forces families and reservists affected by service‑related separation.

UK Charities, CICs with substantial recent Armed Forces experience, and Armed Forces units/bases may apply. Projects must address at least one outcome: reducing loneliness/isolation, easing reintegration after separation, improving mental health and wellbeing, or strengthening understanding of effective support models.
Deadline: 21 January.

7. The Jane Tomlinson Appeal Big Charity Giveaway

Grants of up to £15,000 (no minimum amount)  to registered charities. The Appeal would particularly like to hear from charities that work with children or cancer patients and their families.
Deadline: 5 February.

8.  The HECK! Community Fund

Apply for financial or volunteering support, or a raffle prize or voucher from this local company.

9. The 7 Stars Foundation

Project Grants up to £2,500 for registered charities, council-run children’s homes, or schools across England, with turnover of under £1.5m to run projects responding to one or more of the Foundation’s priorities: addiction, abuse, homelessness and child carers for young people, aged 18 years and under.

Direct Grants up to £500 for individuals affected by the Foundation’s priorities, supported by outreach/social/care workers or legal professionals.
Next deadline: 1 February.

10. London Hearts defibrillator funding

London Hearts is a registered charity which can provide Charity Grant Funding towards the cost of a defibrillator and storage as well as a FREE online training video.

You will be responsible for ongoing maintenance ie., simple routine visual checks, replacing of battery and pads when required. External Defibrillators are for installation on an external wall and a power supply is required.  Once installed External Defibrillators must be registered with the ambulance service via www.thecircuit.uk

To receive information and a non-obligatory quote complete the online form

11.  VocTech Activate grant fund

Grants of £30,000 to £60,000 for projects lasting between 3 to 12 months which support early-stage projects using digital technology to improve vocational learning for adults in the UK. Funding helps organisations test ideas and develop prototypes that enhance skills and employability.
Deadline: 3 February.  

12.  Henry Smith Foundation Holiday Grants

Grants from £500 to £3,000 for schools, youth groups, non-profits, and charities to fund UK-based recreational trips or holidays for groups of disadvantaged or disabled children aged 13 or younger. Priority is given to applicants from the 20% most deprived areas.
Deadline: Apply at least 6 weeks before the trip.

13. Theatre Breakthrough Fund (North)

Support for Black, Asian and ethnically diverse theatre makers to create ambitious new work. Eligible applicants include theatre makers and organisations committed to producing innovative work. There is no maximum amount that you can apply for, but they anticipate awarding 5 – 10 grants from the total budget of £2m.
Deadline for Stage 1 applications: 27 January 2026. 

14. England Athletics – 2026 Young Athlete Grant Scheme

Support for talented athletes facing financial barriers to progression. Grants (in range £100- £400) help cover essential costs such as equipment, travel, and competition fees, enabling young athletes to continue their development.
Deadline: 22 February.

15. COSARAF Hardship Grants

Grants of up to £2,000 are available for eligible individuals and families, but only in exceptional circumstances will individual grants exceed £500.

Recognised third-party social organisations, such as charities, housing associations, schools, and social services which are acting on behalf of a family or individual in need, can apply for funding to help with costs such as household items, basic living expenses, work or education-related expenses or Rent or Council tax arrears where there is a clear risk of homelessness.

16. Disabled Facilities Grants

Help for disabled people to make essential adaptations to their home. These changes make it easier and safer to move around and manage daily tasks. The grants are means-tested. The maximum grant in England is £30,000. If the adaptation is for a child under 19, or you receive an income-related benefit, there is no means test for works up to £30,000.

To qualify, an assessment must be completed by a trained professional, such as a Trusted Assessor (TA) or Occupational Therapist (OT).

17.  The Fine & Country Foundation

Up to £3,000 for UK registered charities tackling homelessness and related causes for projects that directly support vulnerable individuals or communities, with priority given to initiatives offering housing solutions, prevention programmes, or services improving wellbeing and stability.
Next deadline: 31 March.

18. Ramblers Path Accessibility Fund

To improve public rights of way in specifically targeting barriers like stiles, steps, narrow gates, overgrown paths, and surface issues to enhance access for those with mobility challenges (including walkers, mobility scooters, families with pushchairs).

Grants range from small awards under £1,000 for surfacing improvements to larger grants up to £10,000—often requiring or alongside match funding and in-kind support such as volunteer labour. Eligible applicants must focus on definitive public rights of way and have written permission from landowners and a highway authority’s rights-of-way/access officer. The funding supports capital-type improvements – surface upgrades, barrier removal, gate installations.
The 2026 round closes on 14 March.

19. St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity  Vicars Relief Fund

Fast emergency grants of up to £500 to help people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. These crisis grants can be used to remove immediate barriers such as rent in advance, deposits, ID, and removal costs. If all the required information is provided, the aim is to process and pay grants within 5 working days.

If you would like more information, register to join a Teams webinar:
27 January 14:00 – 15:15.
Please register for the event using your work email address via this link 
10 February 14:00 – 15:15
Please register for the event using your work email address via this link.

Please read  the Terms & Conditions and Grant Making Policy, which includes eligibility criteria before registering for an account or applying for a grant.

NEWS, INFORMATION & RESOURCES 

20. Cold Weather Ready

Get advice on staying safe and accessing support during winter weather on the NYC warm and well page.

Get the latest information:

• school closures
• road cameras
• where NYC are gritting
• more information about NYC winter maintenance policy
• map of power cuts on Northern Powergrid’s website
• latest weather warnings from the Met Office

HADCA local resources

Find Cost of Living Support and information on Welcoming Warm Spaces (including for venues) on our website.

21. Brew Monday not Blue Monday

This Brew Monday, 19 January, Samaritans is reminding everyone to reach out for a cuppa and a catch-up with the people they care about.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a Monday morning or Saturday night, or if you’re drinking green tea, black coffee or orange juice. If you’re sharing a cuppa and listening, you’re doing it right!

Supporting mental health is important every day and resources include:
For young people:  visit: The Go To, Young Minds, and Papyrus
For adults: Your at-work guide to ‘Blue Monday’ & mental health. | St John Ambulance

22. Awareness days you should know about in 2026

A calendar of the most important awareness days to help you plan your causes, content, and campaigns throughout 2026.

23. Ways to reduce and reuse

A round up of resources to help you reduce your waste or reuse unwanted items.
The monthly Harrogate Repair Café and Ripon Repair Café are great local initiatives.

24. The value and importance of neighbourhoods

Across public services, regeneration and local democracy, “neighbourhoods” are becoming more prominent. From Integrated Neighbourhood Teams in health, to regeneration plans and new local governance models, the neighbourhood is being positioned as the place where services are delivered, and decisions are made closer to where people live.

Our national body, NAVCA, have published a new report looking at what neighbourhoods are, why they are important, and the role of the VCSE sector and Local Infrastructure Organisations.

25. Good Work, Healthy People

A major programme to help people in York and North Yorkshire with health conditions return to work has begun. As announced by the government, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has been chosen as one of eight areas to lead a Get Britain Working Economic Inactivity Trailblazer. A £10 million, 12-month programme has been developed, which will build on work already taking place in the region and test new ideas.

NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) is supporting this programme through Good Work, Healthy People – a range of support for:

• local people who are in work or looking to return to work
• employers who wish to offer ‘Good Work’

 

26.  Village Halls Week 2026: Connecting Communities to Health and Wellbeing
16 to 22 March 2026

This annual campaign shines a spotlight on the contribution that village halls make to rural communities. You can register to receive news and resources to help you get involved.

27. Paid opportunities to get involved in Health Protection Research

The NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emergency Preparedness & Pandemic Response are offering paid opportunities for members of the public to get involved in shaping their research and decision-making. This is an invitation to work together, to ensure that research reflects the perspectives, priorities, and needs of the public and communities it affects.

You can find out more about the opportunities and how to apply below. We have only been told about these today, but there is a tight deadline to apply – 15 January.
Public Advisory Group
Management Group 

28. Social Media Guide for Parents

A downloadable guide from the Children’s Society providing parents with practical advice and tips for supporting their children’s safe and responsible use of social media platforms.

29. Fire Prevention newsletter January 2026

This edition includes some of the common causes of domestic fires which the service attended over the Christmas and New Year period and also explains how visits help strengthen community resilience in various situations common at this time of year, such as flooding from frozen pipes or extended power outages.

There are also the regular reminders about training and how to make referrals for Home Fire Safety Visits.

TRAINING, LEARNING & EVENTS

30. Introduction to  PAPYRUS Preventon of Young Suicide  
Wednesday 21 January, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Claro Lounge, Ripon Market Place

Papyrus encourages action for a suicide safer community. Find out about this work and how you can get involved.  All welcome to this free session – see more information on the flier.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact james.parkes@papyrus-uk.org

31. Dementia Friends Training
12 March, 2pm to 3pm
Full Circle, Harrogate

Become an Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friend and help create Dementia Friendly communities.

The Dementia Friends Information Session gives us 5 key messages to help us to support someone to live well with their dementia.

The free session is for anyone – a carer, a volunteer, a community group, family, schools, individuals.

32. Harrogate College Adult Open Event
Tuesday, 20 January, 6–8pm

Do you know someone who’s been thinking about a career change or wants to pick up a new hobby? This event is a welcoming space to chat about retraining or finding a fun course for some well-deserved ‘me time.’ Explore part-time and full-time courses and discover low-cost, low-commitment, high-reward learning.

• Taster sessions and live demonstrations in photography, sushi making, watercolour, and wreath making
• Explore One-Day Masterclasses including hair braiding for sport, social media marketing and analytics, art, craft and design, cookery, and leadership and management
• Discover courses:  Photography, Teaching Assistant, British Sign Language, Counselling, Community Interpreting, Digital Functional Skills, Construction, and GCSEs

Booking isn’t essential, but the College would love to know who they’re welcoming. Find more details and sign up at: Adult Open Event Tickets

33. ‘Bet you can help now!’
Upcoming dates in January, February and March.

A FREE 90-minute awareness raising workshop accredited by the Royal Society For Public Health, designed to increase knowledge and understanding of gambling harm and the appropriate levels of support which are available.

For anyone in a public facing role, or who is interested in learning more about how gambling related harm can impact individuals and those affected by somebody else’s gambling.

To find out more and register your interest email: info@neca.co.uk

34. Ethical storytelling for charities
15 January 2026, 10:00 – 12:00, online

The stories you tell shape how people see your charity and the communities you support. This practical Media Trust workshop will help you tell those stories with care, dignity and consent, helping you build trust and protect your charity’s reputation. Learn how to gather and share stories in ways that are ethical, inclusive and anti-racist. Tickets from £36.

35. TV Licensing Training for Money Advisors

Refresh your knowledge with free online (Microsoft Teams) training sessions to help you support clients on TV Licensing matters, including:

• Affordable payment options like the Simple Payment Plan
• Free licences for over-75s on Pension Credit
• How TV Licensing can help vulnerable clients
• Avoiding the risk of prosecution

You’ll also learn how to access resources to help your clients effectively.
14 January 2026 – 11:00 AM
11 February 2026 – 11:00AM
11 March 2026 – 11:00AM

36. Boundaries in the Workplace
24 February, 9:30am – 1:30pm online

This Peer Partnership workshop explores the various aspects of boundaries in the workplace, using open discussion of our own boundaries, case studies of situations that can arise, and how we can manage the maintenance of boundaries through internal and external policies and personal accountability. £75 per person.

37. Group Dynamics and Facilitation Workshop
26 February, 9:30am – 1:30pm online

Groups can be organic and unpredictable, with each instance bringing new personalities and new complications. By learning how groups form, engage, and resist, and by understanding how to create an environment that emphasises the needs of the group as well as those of the individuals within it, support groups can maintain focus, cohesion, and effectiveness. £75 per person.

LOCAL NEWS, ACTIVITIES & SERVICES 

38. Harrogate Kindness Festival
Saturday, 17 January, 11am – 3pm
St Aidan’s School, Harrogate

Find what’s kind in Harrogate!
This is a free, annual community day dedicated to helping parents, carers, and local people connect with amazing charities, organisations and businesses, including HADCA!

With close to 50 stalls covering everything from financial guidance, environmental wellbeing, to family health, you’ll leave feeling informed and empowered.
Best of all, it’s a full family day out, with dedicated activities and games for children while you browse.

39. Our Community Fit Crew are ready to help you!

Last year alone Community Fit gave over 800 hours of volunteer help to 29 different charities, schools, churches and community groups in the Harrogate area.
Our crew of enthusiastic volunteers is growing rapidly and we are looking for even more local organisations to help in 2026.

We can offer assistance with ad hoc practical tasks on a Wednesday evening – sorting donations, moving furniture, basic gardening – anything where many hands make light work!

We’d love to hear from you if you think we can help you out! Please email Anna at communityfit@hadca.org.uk

40.   Join the More in Common Reference group

Help Shape Work That Brings Our Communities Together

More in Common is setting up a Harrogate and Knaresborough Reference Group to help guide local work aimed at strengthening trust, understanding, and a sense of belonging between people in our area.

The group will meet around three to four times a year, with a light time commitment.
The purpose of the group is to make sure our work is rooted in real local experience. Members of the reference group will help shape priorities, test ideas, and highlight what really matters to people from different backgrounds, communities, and walks of life.

This is not a delivery group or a talking shop. It is a space to:

• Sense-check plans and approaches before they are rolled out
• Share insight about local tensions, connections, and opportunities
• Help ensure work is inclusive and reaches people who are often unheard
• Support activity that brings people together with different perspectives and backgrounds

More in Common are looking for people who live or work in Harrogate or Knaresborough and who have:

• Strong links into local communities or networks, or
• Lived experience that can help ground this work in reality

If you are interested in helping shape work that aims to strengthen relationships and social cohesion locally, the group would welcome hearing from you.
Contact: Jo Webb at moreincommonhandk@google.com

Find out more about the More in Common Network 

41.   Warm and Well Energy Advice Outreach Sessions – January 2026

Free, friendly advice on energy bills, saving money and keeping your home warm this winter. Drop-in sessions, no appointment needed.

13 Jan: Harrogate Job Centre – Energy Drop in – 10.30 am – 12.30 pm
21 Jan: Knaresborough Library – 10.00 am – 1.00 pm TBC
28 Jan: Waste Not Wednesday, Ripon Community House 11.00 am – 1.00 pm

Or call the Adviceline on 0808 278 7900 (freephone).

42. New Mum and Baby Group at Wellspring Therapy and Training
Starting Wednesday 25 February, 11:00–12:30

A 12-week art therapy group for mothers and babies ( 0–18 months ) who have experienced pregnancy, neonatal, or infant loss. The loss of a child can deeply affect future pregnancies and early parenting. Creating Connection After Loss offers a safe, supportive space where mothers can gently process grief, strengthen emotional connection with their baby, and reduce feelings of isolation through shared experience and creative expression.

Participants should be cleared by a medical or mental health professional.
Places are limited, so early referral is recommended.
To refer or enquire contact Laura laurad@wellspringstherapy.co.uk or 01423 881881.

43. New Deaf & Hard of Hearing Meet‑Up at Ripon Library
Saturdays 28 February, 25 April, 27 June, 29 August, 12.30 – 2.00

For anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, uses BSL, or simply wants to be part of an inclusive local group. Share experiences, make new friends, and help shape what this group becomes. Everyone is welcome, no booking required.

The group will also meet at the Claro Lounge in Ripon on the last Wednesday of alternate months from 28 January, 6.30-8pm.
Text 07812 155656 for more details.

44. HADCA Intro Session
New to the area or in a new role? 
Join us on Thursday 22 January, 11am -12noon on Zoom

All are welcome, whether new to the area, in a new role, or just wanting to find out more about what is happening locally, how we can help and work together and how you get involved.

The sessions are free, last one hour and are packed with info about HELP, Community Fit; Help Out; Power of 10; Harrogate Community House; THE LOCAL FUND; our Where To Turn and Volunteering Directories, and much more!
Please book your free place here.

45.  Local organisations and services for homeless people or those at risk of homelessness

A useful document put together by Ripon YMCA.

46. Harrogate End of Life Planning and Support Service (HELPSS)

A service for people who are living with a palliative diagnosis and may be approaching the last year of life. It aims to support patients to get the type of care that they want, at the time it is needed and in the place that is preferred.
Read the patient information leaflet

47. Harrogate District Grief and Beyond
Mondays 6.30-8pm
Oatlands Community Centre, Mount Street, Harrogate HG2 8DQ

Start the new year by taking the first step – you’ll be made very welcome.
A safe and welcoming space for anyone who has experienced bereavement.
No counsellors, no formal group, just time to share, listen, or simply be with others who understand.

48. Volunteering opportunities of the week with Dancing for Wellbeing and Saint Michael’s Hospice

Dancing for Well Being runs friendly weekly dance groups for older adults and they’re seeking a volunteer for the group at Friends Meeting House on Wednesdays 11:00 – 12:30. The sessions support physical emotional and social wellbeing through gentle joyful movement, music and connection. Volunteers play a vital role in creating the warm supportive atmosphere that makes sessions so special for members. As a Group Volunteer you will be part of a small friendly team and help with welcoming and supporting members, serving refreshments, setting up and packing away.

Saint Michael’s Hospice are looking for Adverse Weather Support Volunteers to support patients, staff, and services by assisting with essential access, safety, and transport needs during adverse weather conditions, to help maintain continuity of essential care throughout our community. You would assist with the safe transport of community-based hospice staff to and from patients homes when in remote areas, have access to a suitable business insured vehicle and be physically capable of practical outdoor tasks, such as clearing snow or manual handling.

49. Older Driver Workshop
Wednesday 21 January, 1-3pm
Chain Lane Community Hub, Knaresborough

Join York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership for an informal talk around how the natural aging process can affect our driving, and what we can do to keep driving safely for longer. With coffee and cake.
Book a place by calling 01423 861066 or contact cathy@chainlane.org

50. Meet Healthwatch: Tell them about your care, find advice and seek support

Healthwatch North Yorkshire staff and volunteers are out and about across the county, listening to people’s experiences of health and social care.

Locally they will be at:
Knaresborough Library
Wednesday 14 January 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM
Wednesday 11 February 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM

Harrogate District Hospital
By the Café Bistro on the ground floor by the main entrance
Tuesday 27 January 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM
Tuesday 24 February 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM.

51. Congratulations to local New Year Honours recipients

Recipients this year included a very well-deserved BEM for Caroline Bentham for services to Ripon community. Caroline founded Waste Not Wednesdays, at Ripon Community House, organises the Winter Wonderland in Spa Gardens and volunteers with Girlguiding amongst other things. Caroline is an inspiration and we were delighted to feature her work with Ripon Recycling Fund in our Picture News resources for primary schools when we were launching our Power of 10 awards and rewards scheme to inspire our volunteers of the future.

Many congratulations too to Terry and Lis Wilcox who were awarded MBEs for services to reducing reoffending and to young people, with  In2Out, a local support and mentoring charity based at Wetherby Young Offender Institution.
Local voluntary and community sector job opportunities

Opportunities to work with HADCA member organisations and our partners will appear on our HADCA website

Harrogate Homeless Project – Support Worker (Closing date 9 January 2026) 

Harrogate Homeless Project – Client Service Manager (Closing date 9 January 2026) 

North Yorkshire Citizens Advice & Law Centre – Advice Session Supervisor/Advice Service Manager (Closing date 19 January 2026) 

Yorkshire and Humberside Asbestos Support Group (SARAG) – Activity and Support Worker (Closing date 1 February 2026) 

Yorkshire and Humberside Asbestos Support Group (SARAG) – Admin and Communications Officer (Closing date 1 February 2026) 

Ripon YMCA – Session Youth Support Worker (daytime)

If you would like your opportunity to appear you can  Add a Job to our website. This is a free service for HADCA member organisations.

To the best of our knowledge, the information contained in these updates is correct at the time of circulation.  HADCA cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.  
Copyright © 2026 Harrogate & District Community Action (HADCA), All rights reserved.

…………………………………………………………………………..

HADCA Volunteering Network Click Here to Read the Full Story

Our latest update for everyone involving volunteers in Harrogate district. Thank you for all you do inspiring and supporting people to give time.

Harrogate & District Community Action 
E-Bulletin 2025 ISSUE 36 – 16 December
Share and promote your news, events and opportunities with us and our networks for FREE!

• Submit a news story
• Add an event 
• Add a charity job 
• Add and update your services and activities in our Where To Turn Community Information Directory
• Add your volunteering opportunities to HADCA’s Volunteering Directory

If you haven’t received this bulletin direct from HADCA, you may wish to subscribe to receive future issues of our newsletters in your inbox.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS 

Our HADCA offices will be closed from 12noon on Wednesday 24 December until 9am on Monday 5 January.

If we don’t catch you with next week’s bulletin, a Happy and Peaceful Christmas from the trustees, staff and volunteers at HADCA and very best wishes to you and your organisations for 2026.

Thank you for all you and your volunteer teams have done during another challenging year to keep people in our Harrogate District fed, supported, cared for, connected, safe and well.
FUNDING

1.  Two Ridings Community foundation Organisational Development Fund 

Grants of up to £10,000 to help community organisations grow and thrive, and to support the necessary changes needed to increase their capacity.

The fund supports improvements such as governance and leadership development, business planning, income diversification, systems and monitoring, collaboration, and marketing or communications. It is aimed at groups addressing local needs—including poverty, wellbeing, inequalities, isolation and community cohesion —and helps them make long-term, sustainable improvements.
Deadline: 14 January 2026.
2.   Men’s Mental Health Fund

Grants from £3,000 to £30,000 for VCSE organisations, including charities, social enterprises, CICs, and community groups, to deliver projects that improve men’s mental health across York and North Yorkshire.

Eligible activities include community, workplace, or service-based initiatives that promote wellbeing, reach diverse or hard-to-reach audiences, support men in employment, enhance digital mental health services, or encourage behaviour change. The programme prioritises rural areas and groups such as neurodivergent young men, LGBTQ+ men, and those affected by trauma or justice involvement.
Deadline 2 January 2026.
3.  Small grants for village halls

Grants up to £5,000 to help make modest improvements to rural community buildings in England such as boiler replacements, insulation, toilet upgrades and new kitchens

Awards can be made to cover 20% of eligible project costs, up to a maximum amount of £5,000. The balance of funding for the works proposed must be in place or at least confirmed within 6 weeks of making an application to the small grants fund.

4.  The Forrester Family Trust Small Grants

Grants of up to up to £10,000 for registered charities with an income of less than £250,000 pa. Funding is to improve the quality of life for families and individuals.
Applications open 1-31 December 2025.
5. Funding for UK Youth Organising

Up to 10 Anchor Grants of £85,000 over two years will support UK organisations strengthening the youth organising field.
Deadline: 26 January.

5 Explore Grants of £15,000 will fund one-off projects addressing gaps in action or understanding in youth organising.
Deadline: 16 February.
6.  Macmillan CARE Grants Programme

Grants of £50,000 to £150,000 for voluntary, community, faith or social enterprise organisations across the UK to tackle unfairness in cancer care. Projects must focus on one or more themes: cultural responsiveness in cancer care, shared decision-making, or dementia-friendly cancer care. Grants are for one or two years, with up to £1.5 million available in this round.
Deadline: 23 January.

Register for an Information webinar on  8 January, 15:30 – 16:30.
7.  Barclays Community Support Fund

Funding for football, tennis, and cricket coaching courses to help increase the number of female coaches delivering sport to girls. Grants to cover the cost of, or a contribution towards, a Level 1 or equivalent qualification for your sport.
Deadline: 31 December 2025
8. The AB Charitable Trust (ABCT)

Grants of £10,000 to £30,000 for core or project funding to registered charities with income of £150,000 to £1.5 million, working to champion human dignity and support marginalised and excluded groups.

4 priority areas: migrants and refugees, criminal legal system and penal reform, access to justice and the human rights framework. Charities can apply for funding to deliver services such as legal advice, policy influencing, rehabilitation support and advocacy work.
Next deadline: 30 January 2026.
9.  The Elephant Trust

Grants of £2,000 to £5,000 for artists, small organisations and galleries to make it possible for artists and those presenting their work to undertake and complete projects when frustrated by lack of funds. Committed to helping artists and art institutions and galleries that depart from the routine and signal new, distinct and imaginative sets of possibilities. Priority is given to artists in the fine arts and small organisations and galleries within the UK.
Next round open 18 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
10. 1001 Critical Days: Charity Grants

Grants available to registered charities supporting babies during the first 1,001 days, from pregnancy to age two in family hubs and similar “one stop shop” settings, which are universally accessible and destigmatising.
Deadline: 19 December.
11. The Wolfson Foundation – funding for hospices and palliative care organisations

Minimum grants of £25,000, with usual grants in the range £50,000 – £150,000, for new buildings, refurbishment work and equipment.
Next deadline: 5 January.
12. York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority Skills Innovation Fund Phase Two

A total of £200,900 is available, with the aim of funding projects which will bring benefits to learners, employers and training providers.
This phase is focussed on building and strengthening capacity in independent training providers to enable them to innovate and change delivery to best meet the needs of employers and learners.
Deadline: 9 January 2026.
13.  Apply for a free defibrillator for your community

Applications from non-profit community-focused groups for a BHF-funded defibrillator are now open. They are expected to close in February 2026.
The award package includes:

• a defibrillator, complete with pads and kit accessories
• a non-lockable cabinet which you must store the defibrillator in
• replacement pads and batteries for your defibrillator
• resources for RevivR, the online CPR training tool.
  14. Winning the Lottery – Reaching Communities funding masterclass

4 February, 10am-12pm online

Join Community First Yorkshire’s interactive masterclass and learn how to craft a compelling bid that meets funders’ priorities.
NEWS, INFORMATION & RESOURCES 

15.  Get Energy Help Resources Hub

Groundwork’s top tips for saving energy, keeping warm and reducing household bills, from making the most of your thermostat to understanding your meters and the support available.
16. New Village Green website now live!

Village Green is a three-year, £1.2 million programme funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, helping communities across North Yorkshire take practical climate action.

The new website introduces the project, its partners and the activities planned over the coming months. You’ll find information on community events, youth opportunities, greener community buildings, nature projects and resources to help groups take their first steps in climate action.
17.   Age UK’s Silver Line Helpline

A free telephone service offering conversation, friendship and support to older people aged 55 and over, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
18.  Supporting Young People Through the Transition Years

HS4L have worked with many local groups and organisations to produce a Transition Guide for young people with a Learning Disability and/or Autism and their families and other supporters, to help navigate the years between 14 and 25.

The website is aimed at helping all young people who live in Harrogate District or nearby and includes information on education/training, health and wellbeing, financial and legal matters and daily living. Families are also invited to contact Ruth McQuire, Transitions and Outcomes Manager, to discuss transition and to find out more, email  ruth@hs4lc.org.uk
19.  We Care – Supporting people with disabilities or those who may be vulnerable for any reason

We Care is a North Yorkshire Police scheme designed to support anyone, of any age, who is vulnerable and needs some help and assistance when they are out and about, or even in their own home.

A person would find the scheme helpful if they could be described as long term vulnerable for any reason. Many people on the scheme are affected by the following: learning disabilities, physical disabilities, neuro-diversity, dementia, Alzheimer’s, sensory impairments, communication issues, mental health, etc.
20. New Active Travel Commissioner for York and North Yorkshire

The new Commissioner, Rhiannon Letman-Wade is keen to hear from communities and groups with views on walking, wheeling and cycling in their area. To get in touch, email activetravel @yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk
21. Amazing Communities Together (ACT)

ACT is a network of hyper-local community groups representing communities all over England. Membership is free and includes regular newsletters; free access to online events and webinars; opportunities to share learning; being part of a supportive national network.
Groups can join here
22. Optimising for AI search: a guide for charities

Sector surveys have shown a clear downturn in website traffic since the introduction of AI summaries, with respondents reporting a drop in unique visitors, and page views decreasing.

This new guide is designed to help charities optimise their websites in line with current AI-powered search platforms – and to build with the future of AI search in mind.
23. Your Christmas digital wish granted

This Christmas, Giant Digital are giving charities and ethical organisations the chance to have a digital wish granted. As part of their ’12 Days of Charity Digital Excellence’ series, 12 days of senior consulting time will be given away – a chance to get clear, focused guidance on the digital issues that really matter to you.
Submit your wish before 5pm on 23 December 2025.
24. Sustainable festivities: how you can reduce your waste this Christmas

According to Defra, the wrapping paper the UK uses each year is enough to wrap the island of Guernsey!
25. North Yorkshire 2024-25 Public Health Annual Report

The theme of the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report is ‘working together for North Yorkshire’
26. Autumn Budget 2025: what it means for charities

NCVO has published a summary of the key points from the Autumn 2025 Budget, including funding, tax and policy updates that may affect the voluntary sector. Understand what the changes could mean for your organisation.
HAVE YOUR SAY 
27.  Have your say on police and fire precepts

David Skaith, the Mayor for York and North Yorkshire, is asking for your views before setting the amount that goes to North Yorkshire Police and, separately, to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service from council tax bills.
The survey should take no longer than 7 minutes to complete and closes on 5 January 2026.
28. Share your AI views and support needs

The annual AI survey from CAST (the charity that helps UK charities use digital for social good) is now live! For the third year running, CAST is gathering AI views, experiences and needs from across the sector, to help shape the most relevant and useful support – and influence the wider sector response.
Harrogate and district Community Action
Your insights make a real difference: the results of previous surveys have led CAST to develop a range of support resources, including their AI self-serve courses, AI experiments library and AI hub.

Please take ten minutes to complete the anonymous survey as soon as you can: although it remains open until February, CAST will be reviewing responses throughout – so early participation will help shape and inform activities in real time.
Please complete the anonymous survey here 
TRAINING, LEARNING & EVENTS

29. Free mental health training courses with HeadFirst

Fully funded for anyone living, working, or volunteering in North Yorkshire, these courses are a fantastic opportunity to build skills and confidence in supporting mental health and wellbeing.

Online Courses
Suicide First Aid Lite, 15 January, Teams 9:15am to 1pm
Adult Mental Health Champion, 29 January, Teams 9:15am to 5pm
Youth Mental Health Awareness, 3 March, Teams 9:15am to 12:45pm

Face-to-Face Courses
Livius Training Centre, Rabbit Hill Business Park, Great North Road, Arkendale, Knaresborough, HG5 0FF
Harrogate and district Community Action
Suicide First Aid Lite, 4 February, 9am–1pm
A half-day course focused on life-saving skills.
The ASK Workshop: Assessing Suicide in Kids, 12 March, 8:30am–5pm
Includes 1.5 hours of mandatory pre-course learning. Please only book if you can commit to the full workshop.
Mental Health First Aid, 24 & 25 March, 9am–5pm (both days)
A 2-day course providing certification. Attendance on both days is required.

To book or find out more:
Please email mental health trainer Katie Marlow  cast.learningsolutions@gmail.com
Katie will confirm your place on the course and share any materials beforehand.
Please contact amber.graver@northyorks.gov.uk if you have any questions.
30. Citizens Advice – Advice First Aid workshop
21 January, 10.00 – 13.00
Harrogate Library

The Advice First Aid (AFA) programme is an opportunity to upskill volunteers and staff working on the frontline to support vulnerable people in the community.  You may come into contact with people for a whole range of reasons in your role, and you might realise they have a problem or that they need help, but you don’t know what to do about it. North Yorkshire Citizens Advice and Law Centre can help.
Book a free place here
31. The Swift Project Lived Experience training

Free half day workshops for those who work directly with people who have lived experiences of migration or being a refugee and the benefits this can have for your organisation. The local workshop is on 20 February at Chain Lane Community Hub.
Find out more and book a place here   
32. Community in Motion Active Bystander training

North Yorkshire Sport is hosting free training to help people identify and call out racism when we encounter it in our communities.
The local date is 23 January at Chain Lane Community Hub.
There is also online training on 5 and 6 February.
33. Leadership Mentoring Programme

This six-month programme is designed for new and emerging leaders in VCSE organisations across North Yorkshire. You’ll be paired with an experienced mentor, offering space for reflection, support and strategic planning to help you grow, strengthen your organisation, and make a positive impact in your community.

Find out more at an online event on Wednesday 7 January, where past mentors and mentees will share their experiences and tips for applying.

Applications from new mentors who’d like to share their skills and experience to support future leaders are also invited.

Programme application deadlines:
•             Mentor applications close Wednesday 21 January
•             Mentee applications close Friday 30 January.
34. Marketing for Charities: Free online training from the Media Trust
Dates in February and March

Choose from Digital Marketing or Marketing Essentials training and gain practical skills you can use straight away.
Harrogate and district Community Action
At the Marketing Essentials course, you will discover how traditional marketing channels like print, radio and local events can work alongside digital to strengthen your charity’s marketing plan.

At the Digital Marketing training you will learn how to capture attention, grow an engaged community and reach new audiences online.
35. Free DBS Regional Safeguarding Outreach Online Workshops

DBS Harmful Behaviour Outside of the Workplace
Tuesday 20 January, 1-2pm
Explore how harmful behaviour displayed outside work/voluntary settings may impact upon safeguarding and could lead to someone being included in a barred list and hear about other types of harm that may be less well known but should still be considered for referral to DBS.
DBS Barring and Legal Duty to Refer Workshop
Wednesday 21 January, 10am-12pm
DBS Disclosure Workshop – Understanding eligibility for DBS Checks
Thursday 22 January, 1-3pm
36. Encouraging Social Enterprise training programme

Community First Yorkshire’s fully funded training programme running January – March 2026 has expert-led workshops, mentoring, and action learning to build your skills and confidence. Open to York and North Yorkshire-based social entrepreneurs.
Apply by 19 December.
37. Community Buildings Network – Website creation and accessibility
22 January, 10am – 12pm online
Harrogate and district Community Action
Free training on how to create and manage a professional website with expert guidance from digital specialist Hugo Fox. Discover practical steps to set up your site, share events, and make your services accessible, aimed at anyone managing a hall’s digital presence.
38. A Warm Welcome: Fuel Poverty, Health Impacts and Assistance Webinar

National Energy Action free training opportunity for frontline staff and volunteers who work with expectant parents and families with children aged 5 and under.

The 2.5-hour course looks at the causes and impacts of fuel poverty with a focus on the health impacts in pregnancy, newborn babies and children aged 5 and under. It aims to help delegates identify those likely to be at risk from cold homes and signpost to assistance.

These sessions can also be delivered face to face. If you have a group of 10 or more learners, NEA could deliver a session specifically for your organisation, with up to 20 learners per session.
There are more details and dates for the webinar here
39. Neurodiversity: Good practice Q and A
22 January, 2-4pm, online

Understand neurodiversity, why language matters, and practical ways to create inclusive environments. Gain tools and insights to better support clients, volunteers and staff.
40. Preparing for the financial year end
20 January, 10am-1pm, online

Plan ahead, gather the right data and learn key financial terms. Discover what to include in your Trustees Report, review sample accounts and streamline your year-end process with confidence.
41. Encouraging Social Enterprise training programme

Ready to grow your social enterprise in North Yorkshire?
Apply by 19 December for this fully funded training with expert workshops, mentoring and action learning.
LOCAL NEWS, ACTIVITIES & SERVICES 
42.   FREE/low-cost Christmas activities across Harrogate district

Looking for FREE or low-cost activities aimed at families this Christmas?  We’ve put together some ideas of places to visit around Ripon, Harrogate and Knaresborough.
43.   Parkinson’s UK Harrogate District Branch

The branch provides information, raises awareness of Parkinson’s and fundraises to help support people locally living with Parkinson’s to socialise and to have fun.
Social meetings are on the second Tuesday of every month from 2-4pm at the Masonic Hall in Harrogate.
Harrogate and district Community Action
There are also groups and activities across the district including:
 Parkinson’s cafe drop in Knaresborough
 Parkinson’s UK Ripon Group
 Parkinson’s Pateley Bridge Monthly Social Meetings
Other activities include exercise classes, singing and golf – which are all listed here
44. The Lounge Community Café at St Marks, Harrogate  
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am – 1.30pm

Speciality coffee, tea and hot drinks, cake and light lunches. A beautiful light and welcoming space to relax, meet friends, enjoy delicious food or chat with one of the cafe team.
45. Social Group for those living with Dementia
Wednesdays 2-4pm at Tockwith Village Hall

The group is also for carers and anyone with concerns around memory or for that much needed interaction to reduce isolation.

Activities are tailored around the interests of those who attend. Tea, Coffee and cakes provided for a small donation to contribute to hire of the hall.
46. Swift Project Outreach sessions across North Yorkshire

The Swift Project provides free professional, confidential and impartial advice and casework, specifically targeted towards the needs of the migrant communities.
Outreach session with advice on eVisas, Benefits, Energy, Housing and referral for specialist advice. The local session is:
17 December – Harrogate College, HG2 8QT: 12:00 – 14:00.
47. Trailblazer Life Chats

Bespoke ‘life chats’ to help people take small steps to make some big changes, moving towards employment, volunteering or wellbeing.
Support, guidance, and opportunities to help take the next step, tailored for each person. Email: skillsandcareers@northyorks.gov.uk
Call: 01609 536 066 and ask for the Trailblazer team.
48. EMPLOY-ABILITY with Flying Futures CIC in York and North Yorkshire

For employers there is fully funded tailored support to build inclusive, thriving workplaces. Discover how embracing neurodiversity can unlock innovation, loyalty, and performance.
Employers find out more and join here

For people who are neurodiverse or out of work, there is help to explore self-employment opportunities, grow confidence, and achieve goals, on your own terms.
Individuals find out more and join hereGet in touch Employ-Ability@flyingfutures.org

49.  North Yorkshire Council Christmas and New Year services
Harrogate and district Community Action
Changes to services due to bank holidays, including customers services, waste and recycling.

The customer service hubs are closed from Thursday 25 December to Thursday 1 January and reopen at 9am on Friday 2 January 2026. The customer service phone line will also be closed to all routine queries during this time but be open for services that require an emergency response.
50.  Please share details with Ripon Disability Forum to help make Ripon more accessible

As part of the Accessible Ripon initiative Ripon Disability Forum is adding a section to its website with direct links to the accessible information shared by venues, organisations, and groups. https://www.ripondisabilityforum.co.uk/accessible-ripon/

This information is for residents and visitors and not limited to those who cater specifically for those with disabilities.

If you/your organisation would like to be included please email Ripondisabilityforum@gmail.com  to arrange to discuss further (this could be in person, by email, phone or zoom).
51.  FREE 2-hour Volunteer strategy session for voluntary organisations

If you are currently recruiting young volunteers or planning to recruit young people for the first time in 2026, remember our Power of 10 Co-ordinator, Jo Thackwray, is offering this session to support you. Email JoanneT@hadca.org.uk to book
52. Harrogate Town Council new website
Harrogate and district Community Action
Read news and notices, services and issues and find meeting dates here

In May Councillor Chris Aldred was elected by the Town Council to become its first Mayor. The Deputy Mayor is Councillor Jenny Travena.

The Mayor of Harrogate attends over 100 functions a year and welcomes invitations to engagements including the opening of community galas, new businesses, sports fixtures and other events.
53. Support for families rebuilding lives after abuse

Local charity New Beginnings support local families who have previously been subjected to domestic abuse. The charity aims to provide the foundation from which women and their children can experience post-traumatic growth to rebuild their lives, despite the ongoing and long-term effects of domestic abuse. New Beginnings currently support over 200 families, and this number is rising.
54. Volunteering opportunities of the week with Harrogate Deaf Society and Help at Home 

Harrogate Deaf Society run a brilliant Resource Centre here at Community House. They are looking for someone to join them as treasurer, or to help with some of these tasks: keeping a record of the accounts and balancing the bank statement; preparing the end of year accounts to send to the accountant; maintaining information on the Charity Commission website; ordering specialist equipment and arranging delivery; arranging payments (dual authorised) to organisations and individuals whom the Society have agreed to support; review investments annually with the Society’s investment contact.  If you are interested or would like to know more, please email trustee  bob.tunnicliffe@btinternet.com
Harrogate and district Community Action
Help at Home are looking for volunteers who can help with some maintenance, gardening or odd jobs for people who can no longer manage. The team are needing support one day a week but very happy with any hours that can be offered. Please email help@hadca.org.uk or call Vicky on 01423 813096.
55. Christmas Tree Recycling Collections

Ripon Walled Garden  Bookings being taken to collect trees for recycling on 9th/10th January 2026
Knaresborough Young Farmers Club in aid of St Michael’s Hospice and Yorkshire Air Ambulance
1st Pannal Scouts Tree Recycling for minimum donation request £7
Rotary Club of Harrogate in the Saints and Almsford areas of Harrogate (leaflets being delivered in the area) raising funds for Horticap and Rotary charities.
56.  Oatlands Community Christmas Trail
21 December, 5-7pm
Harrogate and district Community Action
Collect a Christmas Trail map from 5pm at Oatlands Community Centre, walk the Christmas trail then return before 6pm to collect your prize.
Hot Dogs, Popcorn, Cakes, Hot Chocolate, Mulled Wine, Bar & Christmas Fun! Raising Funds for Oatlands Community Centre. It’s free but booking is essential please.
57.  FEAST free activities with food for children in North Yorkshire this Christmas

FEAST of activities to keep children active, fed and having fun during the Christmas holidays. All children aged 5 – 16 can get involved, and those receiving benefits-related free school meals can join in for free.

Children eligible for benefits-related free school meals or who are  made eligible by exception (see the FEAST FAQs for details), will receive a voucher from their school, to book school holiday activities that are part of the FEAST programme for free, using the online platform HolidayActivities.
58. Illuminated Winter Wonderland
19 – 21 December, 2-8pm
Ripon Spa Gardens
Harrogate and district Community Action
Festive illuminations, snowball throwing, carol singing, snow machine and free crafts.
Free entry to all but do take cash along to treat yourself to hot chocolate, mulled wine and refreshments.
59. North Pole Post Office

The North Pole Post Office, Harrogate Branch, has returned with its sparkling lights, snow flurries, festive music and the all-important North Pole post box. It is open for business until 24 December at the Harrogate International Festivals Box Office on Cheltenham Parade. No stamp required!
Local voluntary and community sector job opportunities

Opportunities to work with HADCA member organisations and our partners will appear on our HADCA website

Living Potential Care Farming CIC – Farm Project and Site Manager (Closing date 19 December)

Saint Michaels Hospice – Fundraising Marketing and Communications Officer  (Closing date 2 January 2026) 

Saint Michaels Hospice – Online and Social Media Officer (Closing date 2 January 2026) 

Saint Michaels Hospice – Charity Shop Assistant Manager – Thirsk (Closing date 4 January 2026) 

Community First Yorkshire – Support Manager – VCSE Support Team (Closing date 5 January 2026) 

Saint Michaels Hospice – Community and Events Fundraiser (Closing date 6 January 2026) 

Harrogate Homeless Project – Support Worker (Closing date 9 January 2026) 

If you would like your opportunity to appear you can  Add a Job to our website. This is a free service for HADCA member organisations.

Harrogate and district Community Action

Accommodation

Harrogate and District Community Action Location: Harrogate Community House, 46-50 East Parade, Harrogate, HG1 5RR – Ripon Community House, Sharow View, Allhallowgate, Ripon HG4 1LE – Phone: 01423 504074 T If you cannot get the links on the information below go to https://hadca.org.uk/

HADCA Volunteering Network Click Here to Read the Full Story Our latest update for everyone involving volunteers in Harrogate district. Thank you for all you do inspiring and supporting people to give time.

Harrogate & District Community Action 
E-Bulletin 2025 ISSUE 33 – 3 November

Share and promote your news, events and opportunities with us and our networks for FREE!

• Submit a news story
• Add an event 
• Add a charity job 
• Add and update your services and activities in our Where To Turn Community Information Directory
• Add your volunteering opportunities to HADCA’s Volunteering Directory

If you haven’t received this bulletin direct from HADCA, you may wish to subscribe to receive future issues of our newsletters in your inbox.

FUNDING

1. Movement, Activity and Sport Fund

The Movement, Activity and Sport Investment Programme is a £2.75 million programme, dedicated to reducing inequalities and improving wellbeing through increased participation in movement, activity and sport at all stages of life.
Priority Groups

• Rural Isolation
• Disability and Inclusion
• Women and Girls
• Early Intervention and prevention in Health
• Early Intervention and prevention in anti-social behaviour and crime

Applications can be for capital or revenue and can range between £3,000 and £49,999, with match funding requirements based on the amount requested.
You will apply to the Workforce Development Fund strand of the fund if you are planning to develop a workforce to upskill staff and/or volunteers or diversify the offer currently in place. Applications to this strand are for revenue projects only and can range between £3,000 and £30,000.
Deadline for Round 1: 7 December 2025.

2.  York and North Yorkshire Community Fund

Local groups can now apply for grants of £500–£30,000 for projects that promote safety, prevent crime, and support young people through sport, movement and community activity.
Next deadlines: 12.00pm 6 November 2025 and 12.00pm 29 January 2026.

3.  Lionesses HERe to Play Fund

The Football Foundation new funding to improve football facilities for women and girls involved in grassroots football in England. The fund aims to create inclusive and high-quality environments that encourage and sustain female participation in football at all levels.

Grants of £1,500 to £25,000 are available, covering up to 75% of total project costs. Applicants must provide match funding of at least 25%. Funding can be used for improvements such as upgraded toilets and showers, changing rooms, baby change and breastfeeding areas, external lighting, signage, CCTV, clubhouse renovations and covered outdoor spaces.

4.   Youth Music’s Shift the Scene Fund

Grants up to £200,000 to organisations in England who provide creative opportunities for Disabled children and young people, pushing for genuine inclusion, ambition and accessibility. Through advocacy, creativity, and community, the funders want organisations to ‘shift the scene’ and create spaces where Disabled voices lead.
The fund is for organisations that work across any creative discipline – not just music.
Stage 1 deadline: 28 November 2025.

5.  ECB County Grants Fund

All ECB-affiliated clubs in England and Wales are eligible to apply for between £1,000 and £10,000 for creating welcoming environments, enhanced facilities and playing opportunities for women’s and girls’ cricket and / or disability cricket and tackling climate change.
Deadline: 30 November.

6. Lewin Trust

UK registered charities with income up to £5 million are eligible to apply for revenue costs for work that:

• seeks to make a tangible difference to poverty and inequality
• breaks cycles of dependence on relief
• helps children aged 0-5, and where appropriate, their parents/carers, to have the best start in life

Grant amounts are between £10,000 and £50,000 per year for one to three years and can be up to 50% of the total project costs.
Next deadline: 6 November.

7.  Bernard Sunley Foundation

Capital funding (including for new vehicles) of up to £25,000 to not-for-profit organisations working to provide greater opportunities for the young, elderly, disabled and disadvantaged in the areas of community, education, health and social welfare.

The types of projects that could be supported include improvements to village halls, supporting children and adults with special educational and learning needs, improvements to hospices and treatment clinics, and supporting day centres.

8.  Community Hub Seed Corn Grants

Grants of between £500 and £5,000 to support early-stage, exploratory projects that spark new ideas and approaches to community engagement with heritage. These grants are designed for community groups, Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM) or other heritage organisations looking to test concepts, build partnerships, or pilot activities.

These grants are designed to be flexible and easy to access, making it simple for anyone to join the Community Hub programme. They encourage new ideas and inclusivity right from the start.
Deadline: 28 November 2025.

Harrogate and District Community Action

9.  Community Hub Bursaries

Grants of up to £1,000 for people seeking to grow their expertise in community heritage work. Open to applicants at any stage of their personal or professional journey, these bursaries can be used for training, mentoring, attending workshops, or other professional development activities related to heritage and community engagement.
Deadline: 3 July 2027.

10. Health Inequities: Structural Racism and Discrimination Partnership

£250,000 to £5,000,000 available for 10 partner organisations to work with The National Lottery to tackle health inequities in England caused by structural racism and discrimination. Partners will lead this work, bringing knowledge of health inequities and lived experience informed by their engagement with particular racialised communities.
Deadline: 26 November 2025.

You can find out more by attending a webinar on 6 Nov, 10am – 10:45am

11. DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund 2025-27

Capital grants up to £400,000 to improve displays, enhance collections care and make exhibitions more accessible to visitors.
Deadline: 14 November 2025.

12. Paul Hamlyn Foundation – Migration Fund

Grants up to £60,000 per year over 3–5 years to support not-for-profit organisations to build on their services to strengthen relationships with migrants and diaspora communities and help them plan for positive change. The Foundation will consider applications for core funding and funding dedicated to specific programmes and partnerships. Potential applicants need to contact the Foundation to discuss ideas before submitting applications related to this focus area.

13. The Naturesave Trust

Grants of up to £5,000 to support environmental projects across the UK, with the theme for this funding window being biodiversity. Most of the groups funded have an annual income of under £250,000, and many are much smaller than that.
Deadline 27 November.

14. The New Allotment Site Fund

The Fund supports the creation of new allotments in England, with a focus on community-led management and environmental stewardship. Green Allotments will purchase land (up to £50,000 per acre) and retain ownership to protect the sites long-term. There is no application form or deadline; applicants can contact the charity directly. Councils and statutory organisations are not eligible.

15. Access to Accommodation Fund: Grants for Local Housing Solutions

Grants up to £100,000 for UK registered charities with income under £2m, to support smaller and grassroots organisations in creating housing solutions within their communities.
Deadline: 5pm on 7 November 2025.

16. The Weston Charity Awards

The Awards offer a package of support worth over £22,000 to up to 22 charities every year. This includes eight months of tailored coaching and £6,500 in funding.
Charities with income of less than £5 million per year, which provide direct services to beneficiaries or take practical action on the environment can apply.
Deadline to apply: 9 January 2026.

Want to learn more before applying?
Free online information session, 10 November, 1pm.

Harrogate and District Community Action

17. National Lottery Awards For All – Bitesize Funding Workshop
25 November, 1-2:30pm online

Learn how to meet funder criteria, write a strong application, cost your project, and showcase your organisation confidently.

18.  Playing with the big cats. How small charities can win corporate friends!
14 November, 10am to 10:30am

If corporate fundraising feels daunting and out of reach for your small charity? This is the one for you! A free practical 30-minute webinar to show you where to start, what to avoid and how small, consistent steps can lead to impactful partnerships. You’ll leave with clear, achievable steps to begin building successful corporate partnerships.

19. Storytelling: How to attract and nurture donors  – free webinar
5 November 2025, 10:00am – 11:15am

We all love a good story! And our ability to tell compelling, powerful and engaging stories is arguably one of the most valuable tools in our fundraising armoury.

20.  Two Ridings Learn & Share Drop-In
Tuesday 4 November, 10am – 11am online

The grants team will be on hand to take you through full cost recovery and overheads. By the end of the session, you will have an understanding of what full cost recovery means, how to calculate your costs properly, and why it’s important for your funding. This is also your chance to ask any questions you may have about funding and grants.

NEWS, INFORMATION & RESOURCES 

21.  Trustees’ Week 3-7 November 2025

A time to celebrate the achievements of nearly one million trustees across the UK, and to develop your skills through a wide range of events, training and guidance, including:

NCVO’s AI essentials  6 November, 10:00 – 11:30am

The new Code of Fundraising Practice  6 November, 2-3pm- key responsibilities for trustees as the new code comes into effect

Learning with Leaders: Engaging with the new Charity Governance Code: the how and the why for smaller charities
Wednesday 5 November, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
This Cranfield Trust webinar has a particular focus on how the code applies to small charities. Attendees will learn when the changes will be enforced and how you might look to apply the principles to your charity to enhance the Board’s effectiveness.

Harrogate and District Community Action

Test your trustee knowledge with this quiz. Great for experienced trustees and newcomers alike.

22.  Befriending Week 1 – 7 November

An annual campaign to raise awareness about befriending and to highlight the power of social connection in reducing loneliness and social isolation. It’s a chance for communities to raise awareness about befriending, celebrate the contributions of befriending volunteers and the staff who support them, and advocate for befriending to local and national decision-makers.

Special event for volunteer befrienders
Do you volunteer for a befriending project? Befriending Networks is running this special free online event on Thursday 6 November to say thank you to befrienders. Connect with other volunteers, share your experiences and celebrate the power of befriending.

23.  Charity Commission Autumn Newsletter
In this edition:

• Trustees’ Week – coming up in November
• Key risks facing charities – new report
• Support managing your finances
• Charity accounting rules – the latest SORP update
• New Code of Fundraising Practice

24.  Gambit Insurance Solutions Charity Laptop Giveaway

Refurbished laptops – completely free of charge – to support charities in need of extra tech.
All UK-registered charities and voluntary organisations are eligible to apply. There’s a limit of up to three laptops per charity.

25. Household Support Fund – help available in North Yorkshire

Anyone who has received a letter telling them that they are eligible for a Household Support Fund payment, must select their e-vouchers by 12 November 2025. Everyone who is eligible will have received a letter. The eligibility criteria for this phase of the Fund has been updated based on guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions, so people who have received a payment in a previous phase may not this time and other may be receiving a payment for the first time.
Find out more on North Yorkshire Council’s website.  

HAVE YOUR SAY 

26.  Have Your Say on Town Investment Plans

Communities and businesses are being asked to help shape a series of ambitious plans to help drive investment and opportunities in towns across North Yorkshire.

A consultation event will take place at Ripon Market on Saturday 8 November between 9.30am and 2pm, while details about sessions in Harrogate are due to be confirmed in the next few weeks.

Harrogate and District Community Action

TRAINING, LEARNING & EVENTS

27. Hope for Life UK Conference – complimentary tickets available
2 December, 9am-5pm, including lunch
The Pavilions – Great Yorkshire Event Centre

A mix of carefully selected speakers, musicians and performance acts will inspire you so that you end this year filled with hope and a belief that it is possible to prevent all preventable suicides and find hope where sometimes there seems to be none. The theme for this year’s conference is; “One Voice, One Hope, coming together to save lives.”

There are 10 complimentary tickets available for this Jordan Legacy CIC event from sponsor, Merrick & Company, for local third sector organisation employees, volunteers or carers (one complimentary ticket per organisation) to attend free of charge.

To apply for one of the 10 complimentary tickets please email: hello@thejordanlegacy.com by 10 November.

You can also book paid for places here.

28. DSC Bitesize Winter Learning 2025

These sessions are just £35 and consist of concise information, providing you with key points to take away, helping you to act now.

Topics include:
Leading People in Changing Times – Tuesday 18 November
Don’t Dump it! Delegate It! – Wednesday 19 November
Managing for High Performance – Thursday 20 November
From Inner Critic to Inner Coach – Thursday 20 November
Difficult Conversations? – They don’t need to be! – Wednesday 26 November

29. Free event: Discover FEAST – free activities with food this Christmas school holiday
11 November, 09:30 – 10:30

For anyone who’d like to learn more about FEAST and how the programme can help support young people and families you work with.

FEAST provides holiday activities with healthy meals to children and young people across the summer, Easter and Christmas school holidays. All families are welcome to join in, with free places for children and young people who receive benefits-related free school meals.

FEAST vouchers for the Christmas holidays will go live on Monday 17 November, with information about the activities going live the week before.

Harrogate and District Community Action

30. Managing the risks of social media
11 November, 10am-12pm

This online workshop will help you to understand your legal and safeguarding responsibilities, and how to manage your online presence with confidence.  You’ll learn how good moderation not only protects your organisation but also builds trust, encourages engagement and strengthens your brand.

31. You, Me and AI
18 November, 10:30am-12:30pm online

Discover how to create resources using AI – access free tools and discover the risks of using AI at this Community First Yorkshire interactive session.

32. Safeguarding responsibilities for trustees and management committees
17 November, 6-7pm online

Boost your confidence in handling safeguarding concerns. You’ll gain practical insights into current safeguarding governance, understand your legal and ethical responsibilities, and learn how to demonstrate your commitment to the wellbeing of beneficiaries, volunteers, staff and visitors.

33. Leeds Charity Conference 2025
12 November, 10am – 2pm.
Bowcliffe Hall, Bramham, Leeds

Specialists will share their experience and knowledge across the key areas of People, Property, Investment, Cash and Fundraising. Coffee at 10am with presentations starting at 10:15am.
More details and booking here

LOCAL NEWS, ACTIVITIES & SERVICES 

34.  Exciting news! We’re launching Help out Ripon.

Following the success of Help Out Harrogate we are now expanding the Help Out project to Ripon!

There will be a drop in event for interested volunteers and partners from 10-11:30am on Thursday 13 November, downstairs at the Claro Lounge, on the Market Place in Ripon.

If your community organisation in Ripon needs extra pairs of hands for your fundraising events or one-off charitable activities, or you are interested in volunteering but aren’t able to make a regular commitment, please come along and find out more.

Harrogate and District Community Action

35. Making a Positive Difference: Our Impact

Our HADCA Impact Report for 2024-25 shows how we have helped and connected communities, charities and volunteers over the last year.

Here are just some examples of the work we did in 2024-25:

• Supported 125 organisations to recruit volunteers for 297 different roles
• Connected 216 people at 17 network meetings
• Kept over 1,000 community contacts and local organisations informed and up to date with our weekly e-bulletins
• Linked people to over 800 services and activities supporting wellbeing through our Where To Turn Directory
• Enabled 126 young people to give 2,500 volunteering hours to their community with our Power of 10 challenge
• Co-ordinated 42 Community Fit Stars giving 699 hours to help out 25 local community organisations
• Helped 27 local charities and groups on 72 occasions, with our Help Out Harrogate volunteers giving 757 hours
• Carried out 1,524 hours of practical tasks to keep people safe and well at home
• Connected 71 people through our Befriending Service and Friendship and Exercise Club
• Involved 52 HELP volunteers giving nearly 3,000 hours of support.

Our work would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of our volunteers. Thank you to everyone who has supported HADCA during the year.

We hope you enjoy reading our HADCA Impact Report.

36. The Power of Community – HADCA AGM

Thank you to everyone who joined us at our 2025 AGM at the Wesley Centre. We were delighted that over 60 members, friends, partners and supporters joined us to celebrate community action.

We were all inspired by Zoe & Anouk our amazing young Power of 10 ambassadors and Ripon Youth council members; Helen, one of our brilliant Community FitStars and our Alison who shared her Help Out journey.

Our Chair of Trustees, Helen, was delighted to present Zoe with her Power of 500 hours award and Anouk with her Power of 200 hours award, together contributing over an amazing 700 hours to our community.

Harrogate and District Community Action

We’re looking forward to making more community connections this year.
Read more including the presentations from the event here

37. Harrogate District Grief and Beyond
Weekly Meetings:
6.30-8pm on Mondays at: Oatlands Community Centre, Mount Street, Harrogate HG2 8DQ
6.30-8pm Wednesdays at: Harrogate Neighbours Community Hub, 16 High Street, Starbeck HG2 7HY.

A safe and welcoming space for anyone who has experienced bereavement.
No counsellors, no formal group, just time to share, listen, or simply be with others who understand.

38. The Alzheimer’s Society and Home Instead New Carers Support Group
Last Wednesday of every month, 2pm-4pm
Everyman Cinema Harrogate

For carers of a loved one living with Dementia.
Refreshments provided within this safe place to relax, talk and make supportive connections. Feel free to drop in and out as you please – no pressure to stay for the duration.
Call The Alzheimer’s Society on  07752445765  or Home Instead on 01423 774 490 to book your free place.

39. TASC Group (Talking Adult Social Care)

To make on-going meetings with Richard Webb (Corporate Director Health and Adult Services, North Yorkshire Council) more productive, the North Yorkshire Disability Forum has established a new focus group to explore ways of improving social care across North Yorkshire. The new group, Talking Adult Social Care (TASC), aims to provide a stronger collective voice for those residents who require social care.

Under the chairmanship of Oliver Griffiths, group aims have been established, and a number of main priorities have been identified.

It is important to strengthen partnership working, so you are invited to an inaugural partnership meeting, which will take place online.

If you are interested, please email Ania Deputat, Participation & Involvement Officer, Health & Adult Services, at ania.deputat@northyorks.gov.uk. Ania will then provide details of the meeting.

40. Older Sibling Group
6 November, 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Unit 9, Claro Court Business Centre, Claro Road, Harrogate HG1 4BA

Harrogate and District Community Action

A new group for young people (aged 11-16)  who have a disabled brother or sister.
A safe space to meet others with similar experiences run by people with personal and professional experience.
More details and sign up form here

41. NYC Adult Learning and Harrogate Stay Well – Feeling Good!
Tuesdays 10.30 am – 12.30 pm, (4 November – 9 December)
The first two weeks in the Civic Centre, Harrogate and then moving to Community House.

An enjoyable, informative and hands on course which covers a range of topics including mental wellbeing, dealing with anxiety, building confidence, relaxation techniques and practical activities.

If you are interested in attending this course, please contact Harrogate Stay Well, Horton Housing on 07584015759 or email Helen Bannister on helen.bannister@hortonhousing.co.uk

42. Ohana Charity – Supporting Special Families 
Ripon Parent Carer Group monthly on Friday mornings 10am – 12noon.
Harrogate Parent Carer Group  monthly on Tuesday mornings 10am – 11.30am.

A safe space to share experiences, seek advice, and gain encouragement from fellow parents and carers facing similar challenges raising a child with special educational needs or a disability. Whether looking for practical tips, emotional support, or simply a friendly chat, these groups are to help carers feel supported and empowered.

43. Dancing for Well-Being Care-Free Space Group
Last Tuesday of each month (except for an earlier date in December), 1pm-3.30pm
Gracious Street Methodist Church in Knaresborough

The group supports family carers of people living with dementia. There is dance, movement, and use of other creative art forms to express feelings that can often be difficult to express through words alone, as well as to release physical tension in the body.

The cost is £6 per session, but there is support for those who may not be able to afford this. The group size is kept small and as such, there are only a few spaces left.
Please contact Hannah by hannah@dancingforwellbeing.org, or calling 07449 234 382 to discuss further if the group is of interest.

44. Leeds Credit Union 

Leeds Credit Union are a non-profit, mutual that offers straightforward, affordable financial services. As a mutual, there are no shareholders; it is owned by its members and always has the interests of the members at the heart of everything it does.
From Christmas Clubs to spread the seasonal costs, to personal loans to cover those extra expenses.
Anyone who lives or works in HG postcodes are eligible to join and utilise a range of products. Find out more at: leedscreditunion.co.uk

45. Offer of help to local community organisations

A North Yorkshire resident has been in touch as he would like to utilise his skills and experiences for the good of our local communities.

Harrogate and District Community Action

“If there are opportunities for me to help organisations, I would be more than happy to give some time and the benefit of my experiences. I am recently retired after a 35-year year career in Financial Services working at CEO and Chairman level for Banks, Building Societies, Credit Union, Financial and Mortgage Advice businesses. I am passionate about helping people navigate their finances and manage their money.”

If you have any suitable opportunities which may be of interest please email us and we will pass on for you.

46. Volunteering opportunities of the week with Starbeck Community Library and Marie Curie

Starbeck Community Library aims to be at the heart of its community and is looking for dedicated individuals to join the trustee team. As a trustee you would help oversee the library’s operations, support its growth, and ensure it serves the community of Starbeck. If you’re interested, please contact Maggie Peat at: maggiepeat@hotmail.com or call: 07850646088 for an informal chat.

Marie Curie Hospice care at home service is vital to families caring for loved ones with a terminal illness. There is a Marie Curie Volunteer info event on 4 November, 5:00pm to 6:00pm at Trinity Methodist Church, Harrogate HG2 9AU. Go along and find out about opportunities to help with fundraising events and at supermarket collections, look after the collection tins and daffodil boxes.

47. Congratulations to all at the St Wilfrid’s Stars Awards

Thank you to all the St Wilfrid’s Stars making Ripon a better place and to the Ripon Together volunteer team for organising this wonderful awards celebration with Ripon Cathedral.

We’re very proud of our Power of 10 young volunteers and ambassadors recognised for their contribution to Ripon Youth Council and to their community, and we  were delighted to be part of the celebrations.

48. PhysioNet – Helping people with disabilities overseas
Load 181 – Kenya is on its way!

On 25 October, two 20-foot containers were loaded at Physionet’s depot in North Yorkshire — the sixth and seventh shipments sent to Kenya since 2020.

As before, the recipients are part of a large British Army Training Unit located about 200 km north of Nairobi. The system works brilliantly: Physionet deliver the containers to Southampton, where the military takes over and transports everything to Nairobi at no cost to the charity.
From there, two wonderful charities — Living Room International, supporting children with disabilities in Eldoret, and New Life Homes near Kisumu — collect the equipment and ensure it’s put to great use.

A huge thank you to all the volunteers who helped load these two very full containers! Together they carried 399 items, including 92 pieces of paediatric special needs equipment.

If you’d like to learn more about Physionet’s life-changing work supporting people with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries, visit www.physionet.org.uk and find them on Facebook. They’re always looking for volunteers!

49.   Open Country Festive Auction 2025

Kickstart your Christmas shopping whilst supporting Open Country’s work supporting people with disabilities to access and enjoy the countryside, with their festive online silent auction which runs until 28 November.

Know someone who’d like an evening spa and supper at Rudding Hall Spa? Or a keen golfer who would enjoy a round of golf at Pannal Golf?  There is something to suit everyone and every pocket. Bid at https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/OCXMAS25

Local voluntary and community sector job opportunities

Opportunities to work with HADCA member organisations and our partners will appear on our HADCA website

North Yorkshire Citizens Advice & Law Centre – Generalist Adviser (Closing date 5 November)

Artizan International – Partnerships Lead (Closing date 9 November)

Carers’ Resource – Young Carer Service Manager (Closing date 9 November)

Mashamshire Community Office – Marketing and Comms Officer (Closing date 16 November)

North Yorkshire Citizens Advice & Law Centre – Trainee Solicitor (Closing date 28 November)

If you would like your opportunity to appear you can  Add a Job to our website. This is a free service for HADCA member organisations.

To the best of our knowledge, the information contained in these updates is correct at the time of circulation.  HADCA cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.  
Copyright © 2025 Harrogate & District Community Action (HADCA), All rights reserved.
HADCA sends you the bulletin because you have signed up to this information service we provide or you receive it as a representative of one of our partner organisations or funders. We record your name and email address to enable us to provide this service. We hope you find the contents interesting and helpful in your work or volunteering.

Our mailing address is:

Harrogate & District Community Action (HADCA)

Harrogate Community House

46 – 50 East Parade

Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG1 5RR

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