A message from Celia: looking back over 2024
As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and celebrate what we’ve achieved over the past 12 months. As we head into the holidays, I want to look back over 2024 and pick out the highlights from a very busy and fulfilling year.
At Two Ridings, the people at the centre of our work are always the small grassroots groups across North and East Yorkshire, whose purpose is all about creating thriving, connected and more equitable communities. Our role is to provide the funding and support that enables them to get on with what they do best –addressing poverty, tackling loneliness, providing opportunities, fostering joy and hope.
This year has brought its share of challenges. Households and community groups across our region have continued to navigate real pressures: high food and energy costs, mental ill-health, barriers to accessing services, and the visible impacts of climate change. Yet, against this backdrop, we’ve seen people come together and make a real difference.
More than ever before, local grassroots organisations are the backbone and crucial to the fabric of our communities. They’re a safe space, a second family, and a lifeline for so many. We’re proud to help them to continue their essential work.
A year of impact
Thanks to generous support from people, businesses, councils and other funders, this year Two Ridings Community Foundation has distributed £2.2 million, supporting 477 community organisations throughout the region, including 81 groups that we’ve supported for the first time.
Across the year we’ve been proactive in responding to local needs. We launched three emergency funds: two supporting communities affected by flooding in Knaresborough and rural North Yorkshire, and one for communities affected by the riots in Hull. We have also delivered six large scale events—including the inspiring HEY Confident Future IGNITE conference — and run 21 open rounds of funding.
Working with over 100 fundholders and several sponsors, we’ve seen first-hand the incredible impact of community action, and it fuels our drive to do even more in the future.
During this time, we’ve welcomed three new board members – Katherine, Victoria and Kathy – and our colleague Esther – to the Two Ridings team. All of them are already making a positive impact in the organisation and it’s a joy to have them on board. Together, we are a stronger, more dynamic force for change, and our whole team have an awful lot to be proud of.
Looking ahead
Next year we are excited to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of Two Ridings in October. You will hear all about that in the new year. We also have a series of Give Back events that celebrate the impact of and inspire investment into our five community funds in Hull, Harrogate, Scarborough, Selby and York.
In Hull and East Yorkshire, the HEY Confident Leadership Network has an exciting schedule of events, both in person and online to help people grow in confidence and skills, with learning that will not only strengthen the individual, but also their teams and the network.
Our mission in 2025 remains clear – creating thriving, connected and more equitable communities, bringing hope and positive change to local people. Our grant-making will continue to invest in grassroots organisations that tackle the most pressing challenges people in the region face. That is what we are all about.
Our Community Champions programme, where businesses can join us in creating lasting change will continue to give a further option to our corporate friends. Our Listen & Learn Drop-In sessions remain a staple monthly supportive learning space, for people in working community organisation to come together in.
We are excited for 2025, and the impact we’ll continue to make together.
From all of us at Two Ridings, thank you for being part of this journey.
Have a happy and enjoyable festive period. See you in 2025!