country air 127

The newsletter of Rural Action Yorkshire Spring 2013 Issue 127

Get the latest news online:

www.ruralyorkshire.org.uk www.twitter.com/ruralyorkshire

In this issue… The next twelve months at RAY page 2- 3 What next for Touchstones? page 4 Preparing for bad weather page 8 Broadband update page 9

Plus all the latest project updates and rural news.

Today I have been reading an interesting article about Berlin’s first “borrowing shop” – four hundred residents have signed up to the project which is essentially a “library of things”. Why buy a drill when you can borrow one? Especially as the average electric drill is used for less than 13 minutes in its entire lifetime. This got me thinking about how much sharing goes on across rural Yorkshire with incredible results – there are good examples throughout this edition of Country Air showing how much can be achieved when we share a vision, ideas and tasks. We have community hubs sharing ideas with each other to inspire them to provide a wide range of support to residents. Winter weather schemes show what can be achieved when volunteers have a shared vision of doing more to keep their community healthy and safe. The Touchstones project relied on volunteers sharing their skills with bereaved individuals who needed help to learn a new skill. If this inspires you to get involved why not pledge to share a skill at www.ruralyorkshire.org.uk/ruralskillshare

Over the last few months I have also been listening to staff, members and stakeholders to understand what RAY needs to deliver in the next three years to make a positive difference for rural communities. The result is a new three year business plan. Our vision is enabling rural communities. We want vibrant and viable communities with health, happy people and strong, sustainable businesses - the perfect place to live and work. Our priorities will be:

(cont...)

RAY Contacts

Switchboard: 0845 313 0270 Office hours: Mon-Thu 9am-5pm

Leah Swain - 07825 380050 Chief Officer................................... ext: 236

Tina Chamberlain - 07963 533675 Partnership and Policy Manager........ext: 235

Gillian McIntosh Head of Finance & Admin ................ ext.230

Kathryn Chapman - 07825 380052 North Yorks Development Officer ...... ext.247

Candice Dowson Operations Officer ........................... ext.221

James Russell Information Officer ........................... ext.223

Tess McMahon - 07540 691029 Community Buildings Officer.............ext: 226

Maggie Farey - 07825 380051 Community Engagement Officer

Mel McGeoch - 07722 127503 West Yorks Development Officer

Andy Ryland - 07722 127505 Broadband Development Officer

Linda Lloyd, RAY Chair [email protected]

02 The Newsletter of Rural Action Yorkshire

Disclaimer: Every effort is taken to provide accurate information. However, Rural Action Yorkshire accepts no responsibility for any error or omission in, or complaint arising from, items in this publication. The views expressed in Country Air do not necessarily represent those of Rural Action Yorkshire. The display of advertising material does not represent an endorsement.

Front page pictures: Touchstones and Community Hubs

Let’s get sharing

Leah Swain writes about how sharing can bring incredible results to rural communities, from underused drills to time or skills. RAY is inviting members to share their views and ideas on our new panel.

I would also very much like to share and debate ideas for new RAY services and projects with a group of like minded individuals from all walks of rural life. Would you like to help RAY plan our future work? Do you know lots about your community building, the needs of your residents or just enjoy thinking through new solutions for rural issues? Then I would love to hear from you.

We are setting up a virtual Community Voice Panel made up of keen RAY members who can spare a little time to respond to questions about our work. This would be done by email and we promise to ask your opinion no more than once a month. The role of the Panel will be to help us shape the work we deliver at RAY. This might be giving your view on whether a new project we hope to run will work on the ground, commenting on a consultation response or giving members feedback on your experience of RAY’s services. We don’t expect all Panel members to respond to every request for advice or information – just get involved when you have time, experience and knowledge to share. Once a year we will put the names of our Community Voice Panel members into a hat and randomly select some one to receive a year of free RAY membership. If you are a current member of RAY and would like to join the virtual Community Voice Panel please send me an email at [email protected] Not ready to be part of the Panel? Why not follow us on www.Linkedin.com/company/rural-action-yorkshire or @RuralYorkshire on Twitter where we will also post discussions when we are seeking wider membership views. And remember our fantastic team are always keen to support you in any way they can – why not get in touch and let them share their knowledge and experience to give you a head start with your community project. Leah Swain Chief Officer

Let us help

In 2013 we were contacted by a group of GPs in the Eskdale area of the North York Moors to carry out a study investigating the feasibility of a new project idea. They had received some initial funding from the Peter Sowerby Foundation to explore the possibility of setting up a service which would enable people living in remote areas of Eskdale to access healthcare and other services even if they had no access to a car or public transport. We used our exclusive access to the Evidencing Rural Needs data, supplemented by original desktop research to put together evidence that demonstrated the need for the project. Our extensive experience of community engagement helped us organise a series of focus group events to gather the ideas of the local community. And our knowledge of how to make services work in rural areas meant that we were able to translate this information into a series of project proposals aimed at various budget levels to give the clients the maximum degree of flexibility in introducing the service. The report was well received and RAY is now working with the GPs and other partners to identify potential funding to make the proposals a reality. Here are some other ways RAY could help your organisation: · Community engagement · Local consultation projects · Community Planning · Bespoke training · Quality assurance and accreditation Please contact us for a fully costed proposal.

The Newsletter of Rural Action Yorkshire 03

Onwards and upwards

The Touchstones project has been a great journey for the last 18 months. It has been an incredibly rewarding, memorable and at times challenging experience.

Through Touchstones we set out to deliver an innovative approach to support older people who were experiencing the bereavement of a partner or close friend, somebody who they had relied on to do practical everyday tasks for them previously. The unique focus of the project continues to provoke discussion and interest as we have proven this targeted support appeals and engages people in the first place, as well as equipping people with new skills to support them in life following the death of a partner.

We have received numerous letters, messages and even poems written by our beneficiaries thanking the Touchstones team for the support they have given to the project and the difference being involved has made to confidence levels, independent living and general well being. Since September 2012 we have supported 235 beneficiaries to access a new practical skill or a suite of new skills, supported by our trusted team of 49 volunteers!

And we are definitely ending on a high! February was a hugely successful final month for Touchstones. We had car sessions, one-to-one skills exchanges, and cooking-for-one all going on, which amazingly engaged 18 new beneficiaries reflecting how effective word of mouth referrals had become to Touchstones. Our teams delivered 16 hours of skills based activities during February, and saw our army of volunteers in Harrogate equip themselves to launch ‘Touchstones 2.’ As one of our dedicated volunteers identified, “this project is too important for it not to continue.” (cont....)

(...cont.) The demand we have witnessed demonstrates a niche in service provision which we can demonstrate has had an immensely positive effect on the health and wellbeing of beneficiaries and volunteers. As well as bereaved people, Touchstones has also appealed to divorced people and we also worked with several beneficiaries who were living with partners who had long terms illnesses such as dementia, reflecting a very different type of bereavement.

We have been so inspired by this project, that we are encouraging people to pledge their skills in our new Rural Skill Share initiative. To read more about the Touchstones story, get resources such as recipes and car maintenance tips, visit www.ruralyorkshire.org.uk/ruralskillshare

It seems fitting to end the Touchstones journey with a poem written by someone who has been with Touchstones since the early days and is continuing to support Touchstones 2 in Harrogate. Enjoy!


Touchstones

Touchstones by Stewart Johnson

The Touchstones project gives us skills, to run our lives and banish ills Personal safety, crime prevention, we’re told about with good intention. On Friday mornings we meet together, oft battling through inclement weather We’re welcomed with Ray’s cheery grin, coffee, biscuits, then we begin. Usually with a theme each session, then settle down to learn our lesson On making bird boxes, baking cookies, IT computers at which we’re rook-ies. Christmas crackers with gifts inside, visits to somewhere nice outside And how to keep warm when it is cold, we’re quick at learning though we are old. Help is there, you need but ask, we hope to aid with any task A painter, electrician, plumber, Touchstones is bound to have a number. Singing, Christmas on a budget, just come along and you can judge it For yourself, you’ll be delighted, join us soon, you’re all invited. Talk with folk just like yourself, pick up tips about good health Join in quizzes, hobbies, baking, you name it, it’s there for the taking. Our programme changes, like the weather, the main thing is we’re all to-gether We talk, we learn, we laugh like drains, forgetting all, our aches and pains. No matter where your interests lie, we help to make the time go by In a happy, friendly kind of way where everyone can have their say. Each week a different theme you’ll find will help to stimulate the mind And keep the old grey cells well-greased, just try us out – you will be pleased. So now you know just what we do, the rest is really up to you You’ll make new friends, so come along to TOUCHSTONES where you can’t go wrong.

Seven Community Hubs, organising extra activities at Village Halls in locations across North Yorkshire, developed from late 2012 to early 2014. The project was funded by Innovation Funding from North Yorkshire County Council and whilst this has now ended, the activities continue to run and be developed further, learning from what has worked well. The Community Hubs continue to offer vital and enjoyable services to local people. From monthly sociable community lunches, to book swaps, IT workshops, table tennis and film clubs, they all contribute to making their villages and the area livelier places – especially important for those who are isolated or find it hard to get into town. Of course it is volunteers who make these things happen, taking on many responsibilities such as planning, finances, IT, using audio-visual equipment, checking legislation, cooking, washing up, welcoming people, publicity and sharing skills. And importantly, bringing in more volunteers so that no-one is overloaded and everyone enjoys their involvement. Rural Action Yorkshire supported the groups with small grants, which enabled them to install WiFi, a stairlift, or sound system and to make purchases for their new activities including table tennis tables and a film projector.

Read their case studies on our website and watch a video with our Development Officer.

Turn to page 10 for an update on RAY’s support for community buildings.


Husthwaite’s market

Husthwaite has held many markets over the last four years at the old Village Hall and at their local school. Based on the success of these they have now started holding quarterly Markets at their new spacious Village Hall. Holding regular markets have a proven record of increased footfall from both the general public and the local community and with plenty of publicity and advertising they aim to help increase stall holder sales from market to market. Husthwaite are inviting people to join them on their journey and enjoy the benefits of being able to build on an already established customer base, the provision of both a fixed venue and regular timings. DATES:- As requested by a number of stallholders, the dates for their markets this year will fall on a Sunday: SUMMER - 15TH JUNE 2014 AUTUMN - 14TH SEPTEMBER 2014 WINTER - 30TH NOVEMBER 2014

There will be refreshments as at previous markets. There are still spaces available so contact them on one of the numbers below, for further details or to book a space. Annabel Kennedy Email: [email protected] / 01347 868705 Debbie Lewis-Green [email protected] / 01347 868234Lynn Colton [email protected] / 01347 868092

The Community Hubs and some of their activities Pannal (Harrogate District): Silver Surfers (IT workshops) and Table Tennis Brompton by Sawdon (Scarborough District): Community lunches with book swap etc Cold Kirby (Ryedale): “Bookmark Community Library”, film club, exercising together

Weaverthorpe (Ryedale): Movers – exercise incorporating Pilates,

and Yoga. Dalton & Gayles (Richmondshire): monthly community lunches, history talks, zumba, jewellery classes Glusburn Community and Arts Centre (Craven): Weekly cafe on Friday mornings (up to 30 attending, Film Club

Husthwaite (Hambleton): Film Club and IT

Community Hubs

You may have read about some of our work on winter weather schemes in previous editions of Country Air. Winter weather schemes aim to help communities cope better during periods of severe winter weather, with a particular focus on vulnerable individuals, since those who are older, less healthy or in fuel poverty can be significantly affected by cold weather. This winter we worked with 18 parish councils. Luckily the weather in Yorkshire has allowed communities to develop their schemes so that they are ready for future periods of severe winter. Each scheme was developed locally for the specific needs of their community, including:

A database of vulnerable people and establishing a volunteer support group.

Additional snow clearance of pavements to village schools and in villages that are regularly cut off in winter weather

Delivering essential food items to those affected by severe weather.

Providing defibrillators in key public areas in rural parishes and training volunteers in their use

Bad weather can strike at any time and it is good to know that plans are in place to help communities respond to such events.

Community Defibrillators

Sudden cardiac arrest is a major cause of death in the UK and defibrillation needs to be carried out quickly to give any chance of survival. The defibrillator gives a high energy shock which allows the normal rhythm of the heart to restart. In recent years some communities have installed Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) providing effective treatment before the emergency services arrive. If your community is interested in installing a defibrillator think about:

Which AED is appropriate for your requirements. Some AEDs are designed for highly trained first responders and are less suitable for people with basic skills.

Costs. Most AEDs have a life expectancy of about 10 years; but there are also regular maintenance costs, including electricity, new batteries and electrode pads.

Training members of your community. AEDs are suitable for use by members of the public with little training but it is vital that as many people learn basic first aid skills as possible

Where to place your AED. It needs to be somewhere with easy access. Most AEDs are located in public places with a protective cabinet to protect from theft or vandalism.

Want to know more? Visit the RAY website for useful resources including our Winter Weather Toolkit. For information about AEDs or training contact Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) on 0845 120 3155 or [email protected]. If you live in Hambleton, Richmondshire or Whitby the Clinical Commissioning Group and YAS are currently working to provide Public AEDs in remote locations. Contact them on 01609 767600 or [email protected].

Case study

Hutton Le Hole is small moorland village approximately 3 miles to the north east of Kirkbymoorside. Many within its small population are of retirement age and all residents rely on their cars. During the winter months when snow and ice are a problem there is a real danger to residents trying to access the main road from West Side Road. Whilst the main road is gritted and maintained by NYCC HIghways this minor road is left untreated and is quite dangerous due to its width, camber and undulation in parts.

RAY has worked with Hutton Le Hole Parish Council and village community groups including the Village Hall for over 10 years supporting their two parish plans and as an active community they are always keen to take part in initiatives that are of benefit to the residents. The Parish Council applied to the Winter Weather Agents Scheme and was awarded £250 to go towards extra hours for their village caretaker during the winter months. This would give him time to grit West Side Road, particularly at the junctions, so that residents could leave their homes safely in bad weather conditions to access shops and services.

If you are interested in planning ahead for next winter, get in touch with us at Rural Action Yorkshire.


Winter Weather Schemes

Emergency Plans

Emergency services will always have to prioritise those in greatest need during an emergency, especially where life is in danger. Communities may therefore need to rely on their own resources to minimise the impact of an emergency, before the emergency services arrive. Emergencies can take many forms, from small house fires through to widespread loss of electricity or flooding. Could your community cope? Many communities already help each other in times of need, but experience shows that those who are prepared cope better during an emergency. Communities with local knowledge, enthusiasm and information are a great asset and a Community Emergency Plan can help. Simple steps Simple community emergency plans are designed to indentify:

a coordination/meeting point (e.g. village hall). short-term safe refuge places for people displaced from their homes. emergency volunteers. useful emergency equipment. vulnerable people in the community. useful emergency contacts. North Yorkshire County Council has a simple template and assistance to produce these. Many communities already have plans in place but it is one of the County Council’s priorities to significantly increase this number and the level of preparedness. If you want to get your community prepared first speak to your parish/town council to check work is not already underway (if they are you may be able to volunteer to help them anyway). More information Contact [email protected] Or [email protected] www.emergencynorthyorks.gov.uk @NYorksPrepared and @YorkPrepared

Switching energy supplier

It is incredible that according to the energy industry regulator Ofgem, the majority of gas and electricity customers have never switched providers. That means we collectively throw away £3.5billion a year by not switching to a better deal. If you have separate suppliers for your gas and electricity and pay standard tariffs for each, you will almost certainly save by switching to a dual fuel tariff from a single provider. Switching energy suppliers or switching tariffs with your existing supplier can be one of the easiest ways to save money on your energy bills. So if you or someone you know wants to save money by switching your energy suppliers here is a run-down of what you will need to switch:

1. A copy of your latest bill or annual statement. This should have the name of your current tariff on it.

2. How much you spent on electricity and gas in the past year. You

can work this out from looking at your past bills or your annual statement. Your annual statement will also detail how much energy you used (measured in kilowatt hours).

3. How you currently pay for your energy: cheque, Direct Debit, online or prepayment meter.

4. You may choose to change your method of payment with a new energy supplier. Direct Debit and online payments are usually cheaper than paying by cheque or prepayment meter.

5. If you have separate electricity and gas suppliers decide if you want to change to a dual fuel deal from one supplier. These are often the cheapest options. 6. Finally you will need your post code. You can find the best deal by: 1. Visiting a price comparison website. These allow you to compare different energy supplier’s prices, show you how much you could save and help you find a better deal. Plus they have a free and easy to-use switching service. 2. Contacting energy suppliers directly either by phone or online and asking for their best tariff and deals. Once you have chosen your new supplier you will agree a new contract and as with any online contract there is a 7 day cooling off period. Your new energy supplier will ask for a meter reading to make sure you are billed from the switch over date and they will pass this onto your old supplier so they can bill you for any outstanding money. Always keep a note of the reading in case of any future dispute. Both old and new energy suppliers will give you telephone numbers to call if you have any questions. The switching process should take no longer than 3 weeks after the cooling off period. Visit the RAY website for further useful resources.


How to ensure vulnerable people are protected when using a community building is one of the most common queries we receive. Here’s our quick overview of the issue. Who is responsible for protecting vulnerable people in our hall? The primary responsibility for the welfare of vulnerable service users, including children, always lies with the person or organisation providing the service or activity, not with the premises that the service is delivered from. So we don’t need to worry about child protection, then? Yes, you do! You are still considered responsible for ensuring that service providers using your premises are meeting their legal obligations. If you can’t demonstrate that you have taken steps to do this it is possible you could be held partly responsible if something goes wrong. And of course, if you are providing an activity or service in your own venue, then you must have the right policies yourself. So how do we do that? The easiest way is to include a clause in your hiring agreement which demands that anyone hiring the hall to provide services to children or vulnerable adults should have a child / vulnerable adult protection policy, and that any of their staff or volunteers with regular access to children should have the appropriate checks. For activities organised directly by you rather than by someone hiring your venue, you will need your own policy and you may need to carry out a criminal records check on your staff or volunteers. Speaking of staff checks, what is DBS and what happened to CRB? DBS is the Disclosure and Barring Service, a Home Office body set up in 2012. It was established to take on the function of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and the Independent Safeguarding Authority, which were then disbanded. DBS checks are carried out to see if potential staff or volunteers have any convictions that would bar them from working with vulnerable people just as CRB checks did. So what paperwork do we need? You don’t necessarily need your own Child / Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy unless your hall is directly providing activities for vulnerable people, but you might still choose to adopt one: some funders might ask if you have such a policy in place, and it’s good to provide a good example to organisations hiring your hall. Whether or not you adopt your own policy, you will need to keep a record of any requests you have made to see the policies and staff checks of those using your hall. How can RAY help us? RAY can provide a range of resources to help you address the issue of protecting vulnerable people, including a model Hiring Agreement and a template Child Protection Policy. Non-members can purchase these resources from us, but they are available free of charge to RAY members. Visit our website or call us to find out more about RAY resources and membership.

Selby plans ahead

With support from RAY the Selby Central Community Engagement Forum’s Severe Weather Scheme has gone from strength to strength. The first round of training for volunteers was held in March 2014 when the volunteers had the opportunity to discuss the scheme and any concerns they had, to meet each other and to look at their role as a volunteer.

The scheme began in December 2012 when a member of Selby Central Community Engagement Forum attended a RAY organised event where Age UK and RAY gave

information about fuel poverty and advice for older people. After discussion about the issues raised by the event, the Forum decided to set up a Severe Weather sub group to look at the impact of severe weather on older residents in their area. After applying for a small grant from RAY the group began a pilot project to find out if people would volunteer some time to help a vulnerable person in severe weather, or if anyone would like additional help in severe weather. The group also developed their own advice sheet for local residents. After securing further funding, the group began to expand the scheme to cover the whole of the Selby Central district. The response from the scheme has been excellent with over 35 people applying to become volunteers and 19 people requesting help in severe weather. Twelve volunteers are now trained and ready to support vulnerable people in their area, with further training sessions for more volunteers to follow.


Ask James: protecting the vulnerable

Pro-active Penistone People

Superfast Broadband for North Yorkshire

For the last few months Andy Ryland, RAY’s Community Broadband Development Officer, has been actively involved as part of the wider Superfast North Yorkshire (SFNY) Team supporting the role out of Superfast broadband. North Yorkshire is leading from the front in terms of the delivery of high quality broadband services to rural communities in England and has a vision for all North Yorkshire premises to be able to access a high quality broadband service by 2017. North Yorkshire is already on target for 90% of premises to have access to download speeds of 25Mbps and above by the end of 2014. The final 10% will be delivered using a variety of technologies including further upgrades of the BT network and the provision of fixed wireless or satellite broadband. Fixed wireless broadband is where Andy’s time is focused and it uses radio technology rather than cables to distribute fibre based broadband to individual properties. Although the technology is relatively new for users in North Yorkshire it is used in rural areas across the world. Gradually, communities that are less likely to benefit from the BT roll-out, due to a range of factors, are being provided with alternative solutions. One example is the Dunsforth communities in Harrogate District where broadband speeds were as low as 1Mbps. Here LN Communications (trading as www.ilovebroadband.co.uk) now provide a signal to a local repeater on the chimney of the Dunsforth pub, from where it is delivered to local properties. The local community had been hoping for a BT solution. However, as the Dunsforth communities are too far from the BT telephone cabinets to carry an effective signal along copper cables, and it was too expensive to provide fibre to individual premises, fixed wireless broadband was the best alternative solution and will deliver download speeds of 30Mbps. Andy has been active in the local community attending parish meetings, designing and then distributing flyers to promote the arrival of Superfast Broadband. As the technology is different to a BT service, many people have questions about how it works and how much it costs. To provide an opportunity to answer people’s questions, a broadband surgery was arranged in the Dunsforth pub. People came along with their questions and could see for themselves the operation of the technology. It was a relaxing evening with representatives of LN Communications and the Superfast team answering questions, resulting in the majority of visitors asking to be connected to the service. Andy is now continuing his work in communities across the river Swale from the Dunsforths and is finding that many of the residents of Aldwark, Myton on Swale, Youlton and Flawith cannot wait to be connected. He has also been meeting people at events such as livestock markets. He particularly remembers the smile on one farmer’s face when she found she would be able to do business, complete Defra forms and watch TV online, without being reliant on a very slow telephone line. More information is online from RAY and Superfast North Yorkshire. We

can also update you on progress in South and West Yorkshire.

Moorsbus

The Moorsbus service was run by the North York Moors National Park Authority for 30 years, enabling access to the Moors and reducing traffic congestion, pollution and carbon emissions in the Park. Unfortunately, due to lack of funding, this service ended in Autumn 2013.

A group of passengers and supporters have come together to form the ‘Friends of Moorsbus’, and have started again from scratch to build up a public transport network for routes into, around, and close to The North York Moors.

Friends of Moorsbus is becoming a registered Charity to attract grants and receive donations. Funds raised will be used to support those services that don’t quite pay for themselves. Funds will also be used for publicity so that the buses and trains are supported by fares as much as possible. A Moorsbus Community Interest Company is also being formed to look after contracts for services etc.

The campaign to save the original Moorsbus received much support in the form of letters, emails, tweets, conversations, interviews and press articles. This support and these supporters are crucial for the future.

Raising sufficient funds to underwrite services for 2014 is urgent. If you have any suggestions, or would like to help by joining Friends of Moorsbus, email [email protected], phone 01751 477216 or 432447, or write to 4 Foundry Cottages, Wrelton, Pickering, North Yorkshire YO18 8PF


Church benefits from new heating scheme

The church in Barningham village has a small congregation and they

have found it a burden to heat with an old oil boiler and no mains gas.

Pennine Biomass has its offices in the village and has developed a local district heating scheme. Barningham Estate has a forestry plantation within a few miles of the village which provides the fuel. The scheme includes the Milbank Arms, several estate cottages, a private house and the church. By joining the scheme the church is able to access cheaper heat; they will stop their dependence on oil and reduce their carbon footprint. Fortunately all the capital costs of the project are being covered by Pennine Biomass who will then claim renewable heat incentive (RHI) payments from the government and sell heat to the different users at a rate linked to inflation. The project includes routing heavily insulated water pipes from the new

district based wood chip boiler, across the church yard to a heat

exchanger in the boiler house at the back of the church. This enables

the heat to be transferred into the church’s existing radiator system, so

there has hardly been any disruption in joining the scheme.

The church will receive a sustainable source of heat well in to the future. The scheme will also save on heating costs, which the church can reinvest in improving the building and mission in the local community. Switching to a renewable heat source such as a wood chip or wood pellet boiler is likely to be particularly attractive to large rural churches, which are currently using oil or electricity as their main heat source. If a church is too small to justify its own boiler then linking it to other nearby premises can make the whole project stack up and provide wider benefits to the local community.

New support for

community buildings

At Rural Action Yorkshire we regularly see groups of volunteers making life better in their communities, often by first enhancing a focal community building such as a Village Hall. Put people and a centre together and all sorts of activities can follow, from community lunches to film clubs to zumba.

While every community is unique, common issues often arise, such as how to create effective publicity and how to bring in more volunteers.

Tess McMahon, now our Community Buildings Officer, is on hand to help with such issues, to encourage people to come together and to bring in relevant expertise. She has moved from working with Community Hubs to working more generally with volunteers with responsibility for community buildings. In March two networking meetings took place: one at Weaverthorpe in Ryedale; the other at Coxwold in Hambleton. Common issues were discussed and there were presentations on social media and on insurance. Tess plans to encourage a rolling programme of such networking meetings, encouraging people to make contact and to continue to share ideas, experiences and information. What often works well, especially when people have first met in real space, is to continue to communicate by phone, email, LinkedIn or our Google Group "Yorkshire Community Halls E Network”. For advice on your community building, contact Tess on 0845 313 0270.


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The Last Word...

Trustees!! We come in all shapes and sizes, have different interests, wear different ‘hats’ but are united in supporting our communities whether its communities of interest, as in village halls or allotments or perhaps regional ones like RAY. Once a Trustee, it seems that your portfolio expands without, seemingly, any input from yourself. How? The term ‘a willing volunteer’ springs to mind. But I think the secret is that people respect you and carry your name forward to the next committee or project. In fact recent research by the Royal Voluntary Service shows that volunteering has many benefits, revealing volunteers are happier and have a better quality of life. I must be very happy as I have almost lost count on how many committees I have served on, but actually it’s quite correct, I am defiantly a ‘glass half-full’ person. One new committee for me in 2013 was the Hambleton, Richmondshire & Whitby Clinical Commissiong Group. As a member of the Patient Participation Group of my local surgery, I represented them at the CCG Patient Congress meetings. This led to a election and I’m now on the Board; a real domino effect but so worthwhile. I hope you read about the Defibrillator Scheme on page 6. Yet on all these committees there is an obvious lack of young people involved. One hopes that the Trustee or volunteer is not a dying breed as our communities would be a sorry place without them. What can we do to stir interest in those we are not reaching? RAY currently has vacancies on its Trustee board and if you feel that you would like to be involved -whatever your age or background– please do get in touch. Linda Lloyd Chairman chairman@ ruralyorkshire. org.uk

Kirklees project updates

2 Valleys Project

RAY is working in partnership with Kirklees Council to deliver the 2 Valleys project which will provide Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations in the Colne and Holme Valley areas with support and advice on a wide variety of subjects, such as governance, marketing and fundraising. What will the project do?

Develop peer-to-peer support networks to allow VCS organisations to learn from and support one another and to swap skills and experiences. These networks will have meetings in physical locations as well as new technology and social media. Networks will evolve naturally along lines of shared interest, client groups, geographical location or whatever other factors determine how the networks will work best for their members.

Provide 1-to-1 support to VCS groups in the form of ‘surgeries’ which are held in community buildings and advertised locally. These will be aimed at developing skills and knowledge that can be sustained within the local community. Look out for details of these surgeries on the RAY website.

Deliver annual networking and showcase events for the whole VCS community to come together and celebrate their work, learn new skills and share experiences.

Establish good lines of communication in the community.

Provide up to date relevant information via a range of media such as e-bulletins, emails, stakeholder newsletters, leaflets and community notice boards.

Dementia Friendly Communities

RAY is also working in the two valleys to support voluntary and community groups and local businesses to become more dementia friendly. The twelve month programme focuses on improving the inclusion and quality of life of people living with dementia. The longer five year strategy for Kirklees Council is to work with people affected by dementia and key partners to define and develop dementia friendly communities. ‘In these communities: people will be aware of and understand more about dementia; people with dementia and their carers will be encouraged to seek help and support; and people with dementia will feel included in their community, be more independent and have more choice and control over their lives.’ (www.alzheimers.org.uk 2014)

If you would like to find out more about either project or book an appointment please contact Mel McGeoch by emailing [email protected] or by calling 07722 127503.


Unit A, Tower House, Askham Fields Lane, Askham Bryan, York YO23 3FS Registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee in England & Wales No: 1839458 and as a Charity No. 515538

www.ruralyorkshire.org.uk [email protected] 0845 313 0270

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