Local organisations celebrate grants from mayor’s movement and sports fund

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Organisations across the Harrogate district have received grants from a new mayoral sports and activities fund.

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, led by Labour mayor David Skaith, has awarded £1 million to 49 schemes in the first phase of its movement, activity and sport investment programme.

The programme, run in partnership with North Yorkshire Sport, aims to reduce inequalities and improve wellbeing through sport and activity.

Projects focussed on rural isolation, women and girls, disability and inclusion, and early intervention and prevention in health were eligible to apply.

The successful applicants range from sports clubs to anti-social behaviour prevention initiatives. 

The remainder of the £2.75 million fund will be awarded in a second funding phase.

You can read about the local recipients below. 

Inspire Community (Harrogate)

Inspire Youth Yorkshire, a youth support and engagement service, applied for funding for Inspire Community (Harrogate).

It received £29,924, which will go towards delivering weekly open-access sessions for young people in the community.

They will be able to take part in sports and creative activities, as well as informal educational sessions led by youth workers and local agencies. 

Free Play Football (Premier League Kicks)

Harrogate Town AFC CIO bid for funding for its Free Play Football programme.

The charity was granted £20,000, which will help fund its “inclusive football-based programme”, which targets young people at risk of anti-social behaviour.

They engage in regular sports sessions, mentoring and personal development activities.

Free Play Football has an increased focus on girls and disabled young people. 

Ripon Rockets Netball Club

Ripon Rockets Netball Club has received £7,377 as part of the investment programme.

YNYCA said the club wants to make netball “more accessible for girls and women” across North Yorkshire.

To do so, the club plans to invest in its workforce.

The combined authority added:

“Rising facility and equipment costs make it harder to keep fees low, and many girls cannot join without financial support.

“The club currently has 125 members and a waiting list, but growth is limited by a shortage of qualified coaches and umpires. Funding will train young women as new coaches and officials, future proofing the club and expanding capacity. This will also allow the club to maintain reduced fee and free places for girls from low-income backgrounds and refresh essential equipment.”

Dementia Forward

Dementia Forward, a Burton Leonard-based dementia charity, has received £17,860.

The money will be used to fund training for staff and volunteers to deliver “specialist dance and movement sessions” across the charity’s wellbeing cafés.

The charity said:

“People living with dementia and their carers often face isolation, reduced mobility and limited access to inclusive physical activity, yet evidence shows movement improves cognition, mood, balance and quality of life. Funding will upskill our team in dementia-aware, movement-based practise and enable us to embed weekly sessions countywide, reaching around 250 people aged 40–100 each week.”

After six months, Dementia Forward says, staff will be more confident, services will be more preventative, and movement will become a routine part of its services. 

The Bike Box Project

Whixley-based Spokey Dokey Badge Club, an “inclusive holiday activities” initiative, applied for funding to deliver its Bike Box Project at youth clubs across North Yorkshire.

The Bike Box Project received £16,086 as part of the investment programme, which will go towards providing "hands-on cycling workshops", teaching young people practical bike maintenance, safety and repair skills.

The combined authority said the sessions will be delivered by qualified mechanics and will build confidence and independence amongst young people.

Completed toolkits will then remain in community settings.

The Spokey Dokey Badge Club told the Stray Ferret its Bike Box Project sessions are currently being delivered in York and Thirsk, but it hopes to roll sessions out in Harrogate and/or Knaresborough.