£42,331 funding distributed to 19 Community groups across the Harrogate district by THE LOCAL FUND

THE LOCAL FUND for the Harrogate District recently allocated over £42,000 to support 19 charitable community organisations, ensuring they can continue to provide essential services to local people across the Harrogate district.

Focusing on organisations that have a significant impact on their community, these grants aim to improve wellbeing and socialisation, provide support and care for rural residents, address loneliness and isolation throughout the region and upskill people with disabilities.

Small organisations making a big difference
In this recent round of funding, THE LOCAL FUND supported projects that address the needs of local people around inequality, hidden poverty, loneliness, social isolation and health and wellbeing. The funded organisations are:

Headway Harrogate & District purchased a second-hand smartphone, printer and ink for their Keeping In Touch supporting people with brain injuries and their families.

The Wellness Gateway CIC are expanding the Community Wellness Hub and are setting up a free hub in the Ripon for mental and physical health support.

Resurrected Bites have purchased temperature monitoring equipment for food safety at community grocery shops in Harrogate and Knaresborough, supporting people living in poverty.

Artizan International are using this funding for additional staffing, DBS checks, materials and overheads for their craft groups to support people with disabilities and encourage societal change.

Essential Needs are purchasing pillows, duvets and bedding for their free bed scheme for children who do not have a bed of their own and live in poverty.

Reflect supports those who have experienced pregnancy loss at any stage for any reason. This funding will go towards staff, overheads and promoting their services.

Bilton Dragon Bowling Club acquired equipment for club upkeep, including a mower, concrete slabs, and a lockable container.

Inspire Youth Yorkshire supports young people with mental health and disabilities. This funding will go towards staff, room hire, refreshments and materials for youth sessions.

Wellspring Therapy & Training are expanding its counselling services to reduce waiting times for mental health support.

Chain Lane Community Centre have installed a CCTV camera system to improve security and deter anti-social behaviour.

Dacre Banks Bowling Club installed wooden edging and purchased lawn care equipment to help volunteers maintain the bowling green.

Aphasia Support continues to deliver drop-in café events for people experiencing aphasia and their carers to improve socialisation.

Samaritans of Harrogate and District will ensure that volunteer expenses and overhead office costs are covered ensuring the team can provide mental health crisis support.

Time Together purchased equipment like sewing machines and steam cleaners to support their pre-loved clothing project for people with disabilities.

Harrogate District of Sanctuary supports refugees and asylum seekers with practical help and social activities.

Supporting Older People CIO hosts friendship groups for older people; reaching an average of 25 people a week. Funding will ensure this work continues and will go towards room hire, speakers/entertainers and refreshments.

Boroughbridge Community Care hosts woodworking sessions for socially isolated older men in the Boroughbridge area.

Ripon Amateur Operatic Society are improving accessibility with joinery work to resize doorways and creating accessible toilet facilities to improve access for disabled performers.

Rossett Local Nature Reserve a pond dipping platform is being constructed for local children to access activities.

Get involved
Since 2017, THE LOCAL FUND has supported community groups and charities across the Harrogate District by making over 147 grants and investing over £397,000. Backed by a partnership of North Yorkshire Council, Harrogate & District Community Action, and Two Ridings Community Foundation, THE LOCAL FUND continues to benefit local people and communities. Despite changes to local government boundaries in 2023, it remains a lasting legacy from Harrogate Borough Council.

As well as being a great fundraising opportunity for voluntary groups in the Harrogate district, THE LOCAL LOTTO also directly contributes at least 10p from every sale to THE LOCAL FUND.

Applications for THE LOCAL FUND are currently closed, but to find out more about the fund and the grants made please visit: tworidingscf.org.uk .