Two Harrogate based charities will receive over £116,000 of government funding to ensure their services continue to meet local demand.

Age UK North Yorkshire and the Harrogate Easier Living Project (HELP) are just two out of 30 charities across Yorkshire and the Humber which have successfully accessed funding from the Cabinet Office’s Local Sustainability Fund, delivered by the Big Lottery Fund. The grants will allow the organisations to secure a more sustainable way of working by enabling them to review and transform their operating models.

To access part of this national £20 million Cabinet Office pot, the charities had to find local business partners who could offer skills, advice and volunteers to help develop their charitable services. Bluefin Insurance and Prime R&D Ltd, along with Knaresborough based Your Consortium, are among the local businesses who will offer a range of skills including marketing and promotion, mentoring and change management, to develop the charities’ core services.

Speaking on behalf of the two charities, Frances Elliot, HELP Manager, explained: “Like all organisations, charities cannot afford to stand still. Our society is changing as people are living longer, often with long-term conditions and frequently without family support nearby. Our common aim is to ensure our services meet this shifting demand. The Local Sustainability Fund will enable us to take stock of what we currently do and look at ways to ensure our services are fit for purpose into the future.”

In total, 30 charities and community groups across the region, including Harrogate-based Disability Action Yorkshire, have accessed over £1.7m of the £20m funding available.

The charities will work with consultants over the next twelve months to review their services and identify areas both to grow and streamline. Projects include developing HELP’s practical gardening, decorating and DIY service and Age UK N. Yorkshire’s “Companionship and Shopping Plus” services to reduce social isolation and enabling older people to stay safe, well and enjoy later life.

Age UK N. Yorkshire is now looking for additional local businesses or individuals to pledge their support by offering skills and resources, which could help them to anticipate future need and shape their services to respond to this need.

Alex Bird from Age UK N. Yorkshire added: “We are fortunate to have a thriving local business community in Harrogate. We would like to tap into the rich pool of resources out there, from financial expertise to change management skills. This really is an excellent way for local businesses to support the communities in which their employees live and work.

If you or your business is able to assist, please contact Age UK N. Yorkshire in the following ways:  harrogate@ageuknorthyorkshire.org.uk, 01423 530628