£40,688 distributed to community groups in Harrogate district through THE LOCAL FUND
THE LOCAL FUND for the Harrogate District funded 14 charitable community groups to enable them to continue to support local people all over the Harrogate district, with over £40,000 allocated in this round.
Focusing on small organisations making a big difference, the grants will help older people have activities they enjoy, make new opportunities available for young people, ensure sports clubs can continue, improve mental health and wellbeing and people affected by the cost of living crisis get the support they need.
Lifeline Harrogate received £2,600 for food and room hire for a fortnightly lunch club to support local people who had recently become homeless.
Harlow Hill Community Centre are using their funding to set up a Men’s Shed to support the wellbeing of men in the local area, creating a space for them to socialise, talk and share skills.
Following on from the pandemic, many community groups are still recovering from difficult issues affecting their service; the pause in fundraising, the burnout and consequent turnover of key staff, poor mental health and the cost of living crisis now focusing on crisis services needed.
Both Mind in Harrogate District and Wellspring Therapy are using their funding to support people’s mental health; Wellspring expanding their counselling offer and Mind creating new therapeutic nature trips so their beneficiaries can get out and about.
Jennyruth Workshops near Ripon are refurbishing their kitchen with their £3,000 grant, so their beneficiaries, adults with learning difficulties and their staff and volunteers can take well earned breaks in a pleasant environment
A full list of grants awarded follows with all groups passionate about reducing inequalities, improving wellbeing and providing a lifeline of activity to local residents.
Jan Garrill, Chief Executive of Two Ridings Community Foundation said:
“Once again, a massive thank you to Harrogate Borough Council and local businesses and individuals who generously donate to THE LOCAL FUND to make the grant-making possible.
We are delighted that 14 small community groups benefit, because we know they make a huge impact on the wellbeing of local people all over the district.
We offer a warm welcome to new donors. If other local people and businesses want to think about their charitable giving, and, importantly keep their donations directly in the local area, investing in THE LOCAL FUND is a great option.”
Councillor Sam Gibbs, chair of Harrogate Borough Council’s voluntary and community sector liaison group and LOCAL FUND grants panel member, said:
“Year after year, THE LOCAL FUND supports our local voluntary and community sector organisations and charities, who in turn support so many residents across the Harrogate district.
“The work these numerous organisations and charities do makes such a huge difference so I’d to thank everyone involved in providing this on-going support. I’d also like to thank those who have given so generously to THE LOCAL FUND, either directly or through THE LOCAL LOTTO.”
THE LOCAL FUND for the Harrogate District has been running since 2017 funding local community groups and charities across the district to improve the lives of local people. It is supported by a partnership of Harrogate Borough Council, Harrogate & District Community Action and Two Ridings Community Foundation.
Even with changes to local government boundaries in 2023, THE LOCAL FUND is part of a legacy from Harrogate Borough Council and will continue always for the benefit of local people in the Harrogate District area.
As well as being a great fundraising opportunity for voluntary groups in the Harrogate district, THE LOCAL LOTTO also directly contributes to THE LOCAL FUND, with at least 10p from every ticket sale adding to the funds available and hence contributing towards a thriving community sector.
| The LOCAL FUND for the Harrogate District May 2022 Record of Decisions
|
||
| Grantee | Project Description – Summary
|
Amount Awarded |
| Wellspring Therapy & Training | Funding for volunteer costs and office overheads to be able to expand counselling session capacity. | £3,000 |
| Harrogate & District Community Action | Funding for staff, room hire and refreshment for friend and exercise club for isolated people who are mostly over the age of 65. | £2,688 |
| Mind in Harrogate District | Funding for staff, publicity and operational costs for outdoor and nature trips to help support service user’s mental health. | £2,520 |
| Lifeline Harrogate | Funding for food and room hire for a fortnightly lunch club for residents in supported housing who have recently been homeless. | £2,600 |
| Harlow Hill Community Centre Association | Funding for materials, labour costs and printing to set up a new Men’s Shed to support wellbeing for men in the Harlow Hill area | £2,880 |
| The Trauma Centre Community Interest Company | Funding for staff and overheads for organisation offering psychotherapy to be able to work through their backlog. | £3,000 |
| Little Ouseburn Village Hall CIO | Funding for furniture in a village hall which holds regular social events to reduce rural and social isolation. | £3,000 |
| Jennyruth Workshops Limited | Funding for equipment to refurbish the kitchen and canteen so that neuro-diverse adults, adults with learning difficulties, and volunteers and staff can take breaks, and so that the organisation can host more workers each day. | £3,000 |
| PINE STREET ALLOTMENTS | Funding for fencing and gate to secure community allotments due to anti-social behaviour. | £3,000 |
| Ripon Community Link | Funding for material and labour towards the creation of an accessible sensory garden designed to improve the mental health and wellbeing of people with disabilities or neurodiversity. | £3,000 |
| Samaritans of Harrogate and District | Funding towards IT, overheads and utilities to continue running service for people in mental distress. | £3,000 |
| Harrogate Town AFC | Funding towards a community vehicle to replace previous van, to deliver support to local people and allow those that otherwise couldn’t to access Harrogate Town AFC CIOs activities. | £3,000 |
| Yorkshire Yoga (trading as Balance Wellness Centre) | Funding for hoist, publicity and other expenses to transform office space into class and therapy spaces, for people who cannot attend mainstream yoga classes, including those who needs hands-on support. | £3,000 |
| AGE UK North Yorkshire & Darlington | Funding for an Information and Advice member of staff, to increase access to Age UK North Yorkshire’s services and advice for older people, and to recruit further volunteers. | £3,000 |
| Total awarded | £40,688 | |