7 charitable organisations in York have been awarded a share of £250k over two years to further extend and build on the achievements of earlier transformation work which has reshaped how local people access mental health support close to home.
The grant is part of the NHS Community Mental Health Transformation programme, delivered locally by the York Mental Health Partnership and the ‘Connecting Our City’ Partnership. Local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) support and development charity York CVS has been commissioned to manage the grant distribution.
The second phase of the grant programme follows earlier funding in 2023 to deliver new ways of supporting adults experiencing serious mental ill‑health in York. The York Mental Health Partnership, working in collaboration with York CVS and the Connecting Our City Partnership, continues to champion community‑based, person‑centered mental health support.
This additional funding strengthens York’s long‑term ambition to create a city where mental health support is local, accessible, co‑designed with communities, and rooted in trusted relationships. It sits alongside wider developments across the city, including co‑designed mental health hubs and multi‑agency support models influenced by successful international approaches, such as those built into York’s transformation learning programmes. This renewed investment ensures York remains at the forefront of community‑focused mental health innovation.
Alison Semmence, Chief Executive, York CVS, commented: “We’re delighted to confirm funding for these innovative projects, which reflect the strength and creativity of York’s VCSE sector and continues York’s strategic investment in VCSE organisations, reflecting their proven role in improving mental health outcomes across the city.The quality and diversity of applications highlight the vital role these organisations play in supporting people living with serious mental ill-health in York. This further investment will build on the incredible work already happening across the city and help us continue improving the lives of York residents by ensuring they can access the right support, in the right place, at the right time.”
Cllr Lucy Steels-Walshaw, Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health at City of York Council, said: “York is leading the way nationally in community-focused mental health care, and this funding programme ensures we remain at the forefront of delivering mental health support where it’s needed.“Funding voluntary sector organisations through this programme reflects the fact that improving mental health requires a proactive and preventative citywide partnership approach. It’s a powerful investment in our communities’ and residents’ wellbeing by making mental health care more accessible, helping people to live happier, healthier lives.”
Brian Cranna, Director of Operations and Transformation at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, who provide local mental health services in York said: “The community mental health transformation programme takes a holistic, person-centred approach, asking people what matters to them and supporting them to live well and achieve their goals. Community and voluntary organisations play a vital role by offering activities, groups, and services that promote wellbeing. Investing in these local schemes ensures people have more options to support their mental health close to home.”
Professor Lynne Gabriel OBE and Dr Steve Wright, York Mental Health Partnership Co-Chairs, commented: “It is incredibly exciting to see the public promotion of the seven recipients of a Community Mental Health Transformation Grant. These organisations represent an important and diverse range of voluntary sector work that represents inclusive and community facing work in the city. The voluntary sector in York generates the beating heart of the city’s mental health and wellbeing support for citizens. A huge ‘well done’ to all of the grant recipients – and a big ‘thank you’ to York CVS for your hosting of the grants programme and ongoing support for the successful organisations.”
The 2026 Funded Projects
Following a competitive application process, the following 7 organisations have been awarded grants of up to £40,000 each to deliver new or expanded mental health and wellbeing support across York — mirroring the model used in previous transformation grants.
York Women’s Counselling Service
Project: York Women’s Counselling – Trauma‑Informed Rural and Weekend Access
Expands trauma‑informed counselling with added weekend and rural access options, ensuring women across York can receive specialist support when and where it is most needed.
Expands trauma‑informed counselling with added weekend and rural access options, ensuring women across York can receive specialist support when and where it is most needed.
RAY (Refugee Action York)
Project: RAY Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Programme
Delivers culturally sensitive, community‑based support for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrant communities, reducing barriers to emotional wellbeing and strengthening social connection.
Delivers culturally sensitive, community‑based support for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrant communities, reducing barriers to emotional wellbeing and strengthening social connection.
Mokkha CIC
Project: Brighter Futures: Putting a Spark of Hope Back in HER
A women‑focused programme providing empowerment, confidence‑building, peer support, and early mental health intervention for those experiencing distress or social isolation.
A women‑focused programme providing empowerment, confidence‑building, peer support, and early mental health intervention for those experiencing distress or social isolation.
Generate
Project: Shaped by Community – Trans Mental Health Support in York
A mental health project for transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse adults, offering tailored support through mentoring, counselling, advocacy, peer groups, and confidence-building, guided by a Community Advisory Panel and designed to provide inclusive, trauma-informed care with flexible, accessible options.
A mental health project for transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse adults, offering tailored support through mentoring, counselling, advocacy, peer groups, and confidence-building, guided by a Community Advisory Panel and designed to provide inclusive, trauma-informed care with flexible, accessible options.
Night‑Light Theatre CIC
Project: Create‑to‑Connect
A creative‑arts‑based wellbeing programme using theatre, storytelling and group expression to support adults experiencing mental ill‑health, continuing York’s strong evidence base for arts‑based recovery approaches.
A creative‑arts‑based wellbeing programme using theatre, storytelling and group expression to support adults experiencing mental ill‑health, continuing York’s strong evidence base for arts‑based recovery approaches.
York City Knights Foundation (T/A York RLFC Foundation)
Project: Offload
A structured, sport‑based mental wellbeing course offering facilitated sessions that help adults build resilience, manage stress, and access early support through a trusted local sports foundation.
A structured, sport‑based mental wellbeing course offering facilitated sessions that help adults build resilience, manage stress, and access early support through a trusted local sports foundation.
MySight York (York Blind & Partially Sighted Society, CIO)
Project: Talking Space & Community Activities Project
Provides accessible mental health and emotional‑support activities for blind and partially sighted adults, reducing isolation and ensuring equitable access to wellbeing opportunities.
Provides accessible mental health and emotional‑support activities for blind and partially sighted adults, reducing isolation and ensuring equitable access to wellbeing opportunities.