Today is Small Charity Big Impact Day, part of Small Charity Week (15-20 June) and we’d like to shine the spotlight on some of York’s amazing small charities who are making a BIG impact in York.
York Women's Counselling Service (YWCS)
York Women’s Counselling Service (YWCS) offers confidential and professional counselling to women in the York area regardless of ability to pay. While they do ask for a donation from each client when she starts with them, no one is turned away. They have been working for over 20 years, for the most part from the Priory Street Centre where they have an office and 2 counselling rooms. Their counsellors are all qualified, many of them having trained in York and they are unique in York in that they offer long-term counselling of up to 20 weeks, where that is agreed to be best for the client.
Website: yorkwomenscounselling.org
Dementia Forward
Dementia Forward is a small charity, established 8 years ago to provide support and information to people affected by dementia. They currently support around 700 people living with dementia and 800 carers in the York area. Due to Covid-19, the team are working from home, but the helpline is running, and they are still taking new referrals, so please do get in touch on 03300 578592. Under normal circumstances Dementia Forward would offer a home visit from a Dementia Support Advisor, to provide information and advice and to signpost to local services, and also runs a weekly Wellbeing Café, Friends Together Friday, which is supported by volunteers and attended by over 30 people. One of the charity’s aims is to ‘knit’ dementia support into the everyday lives of the local community, so that there is a higher level of understanding and people can continue to live well in their own communities. In the UK someone is diagnosed with dementia every 3 minutes, so understanding and awareness is vital. The team provide training for businesses and individuals that would like to become more dementia aware, so please get in touch if you would like to find out more.
Website: www.dementiaforward.org.uk
Get in touch on: 03300 578592
York Cares
York Cares is a local, independent employee-volunteering charity, which brings businesses, employees and communities together to make York a better place. They match the skills and expertise of their employer members and their employees to community projects where they can have most impact, enabling them to make an effective and strategic investment in the community. Their tried and tested programmes deliver long-lasting and tangible benefits for both local people and employers.
They work in a collaborative way with key city leaders to respond to city challenges. Their priorities include engaging disadvantaged children in learning; inspiring young people to work harder and aim higher; supporting charities to generate new income; providing supported work experience opportunities for care experienced young people; helping to improve the wellbeing of local older people and improving the physical environment of our city.
Website: www.yorkcares.co.uk
Get in touch: info@yorkcares.co.uk
Peasholme Charity
Peasholme Charity was founded in 1988 and provides homeless prevention and resettlement services. They work with disadvantaged and socially excluded people, in particular those who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes and they work with people so they are empowered, realise their aspirations and achieve their full potential. They work to support people to gain self-confidence and self-esteem by providing specific skills development opportunities, including group work and one-to-one coaching and they work with their partners to access specialist support services to help people make long lasting changes to their lives.
Website: www.peasholmecharity.org.uk
Kyra Women's Project
Kyra Women’s Project helps local women make positive change in their lives. They offer a range of courses, therapies, life skills and events for women, all from their relaxed, comfy, city centre location, the kettle is always on! Their door will always be open until every woman in the area feels safe, supported and able to be the person they were always meant to be.
Website: www.kyra.org.uk
Older Citizens Advice York (OCAY)
Website: oldercitizensadvocacyyork.org.uk
Move the Masses
Move the Masses’ mission is to create healthy communities by enabling people to improve their wellbeing through exercise. They break down barriers to exercise, especially for those most vulnerable and provide flexible, rewarding volunteering opportunities linked to physical activity. They empower people to reclaim their local public spaces as places to exercise and promote the physical and mental health benefits that regular activity brings. During lockdown Move the Masses volunteers have delivered over 2400 prescriptions and made hundreds of welfare calls to support vulnerable and shielding people in York.
Website: www.movethemasses.org.uk
The Island
Website: www.theislandyork.org
York Carers Centre
York Carers Centre work in partnership with carers, statutory and voluntary organisations to ensure unpaid carers throughout York have access to confidential information, advice and support. They work with carers to influence positive change in service delivery with local government, employers, schools and health providers and support carers of all ages: Adults, Young adults (18 to 25), Young carers (5 to 18).
Website: www.yorkcarerscentre.co.uk
This is by no means an exhaustive list of the amazing charities and community groups who are active within York. Get in touch with us if your charitable organisation is doing great things in York and see how we can support you. Contact info@yorkcvs.org.uk
*The Small Charity Coalition defines a small charity as a any UK charitable organisation with an annual income of less than £1 million.