£78,886 distributed across Selby District through the Heart of Yorkshire fund

The photograph features three men walking outdoor on a wet path. They are dressing in rain gear, with two men in the front smiling to the camera.

Move the Masses

The Heart of Yorkshire Fund supports community groups throughout the former Selby District that address local people’s needs. The fund focuses on key priorities such as health and wellbeing, education and training, the environment, and community sector resilience, helping to strengthen communities and improve lives.

In the latest funding round, £78,886 has been awarded to 10 community organisations.

Since 2021, Two Ridings Community Foundation has distributed over £182,302 through 31 grants to support local initiatives benefiting rural areas, as well as the market towns of Selby, Tadcaster and Sherburn-in-Elmet.

Supporting local initiatives

This year’s grants range from £10,000 to Tadcaster and Rural Community Interest Company for specialist lighting, props, costumes, and sets to inject new opportunities into the youth theatre group. This group helps young people to foster new skills, increase their creativity and improve mental health. On the other end of the spectrum, £2,000 has been allocated to Talking About Loss to help cover core costs for their monthly bereavement support group, providing essential assistance to people navigating loss and grief.

Here’s how other local groups are making use of their grants:

  • Camblesforth Methodist Church received funding to create a community hub in this rurally isolated village, transforming a former Methodist church and installing a new kitchen.
  • Spirit of Christmas who supports disadvantaged children and promotes family interaction, will use their funding to cover core costs for their neurodiversity stay-and-play sessions, SEN toys, poverty-related support and a Christmas toy bank, creating new opportunities for everyone.
  • Funding for Community Furniture Store will enable staff and volunteer training, enhancing their volunteer program to boost wellbeing, teach new skills, and offer structured opportunities for personal development.
  • Selby and District Scouts are upgrading the toilet facilities at the Tamarak Campsite, making it possible to host larger camps with an expanded range of activities for youth groups from across the region.
  • Hensall Parish Council runs a Grow Together community planting event to improve the local community garden and encourage its use in isolated areas. Their funding has been used to purchase plants and wildflower seeds.
  • Stutton Social Committee aim to ensure that their rural village hall can continue to be used as a community venue for a wide range of people, so this funding will cover preliminary costs, flooring, insulation, toilets and an accessible ramp.
  • Our Space Selby is expanding its volunteer training program and purchasing laptops to enhance its community hub and café, which offers courses, events, and a welcoming space for residents.
  • Move the Masses has relaunched a previous pilot project that pairs vulnerable adults with dedicated volunteers for weekly walks, improving their mental and physical wellbeing.

Future rounds

The Heart of Yorkshire Fund empowers local organisations to make a significant impact in their communities. By investing in these grassroots efforts, the fund ensures that resources are directed where they can make the most difference.

Applications for the Heart of Yorkshire Fund close on the 17th of February. The fund offers grants of up to £5,000 for activity projects and up to £10,000 for organisational development. For more information on how to apply, visit tworidingscf.org.uk.