Events shine a light on the importance of community - Carl Les

Fridays are often chosen for events because it is considered a good day with less business arranged because it is the end of the working week. Unfortunately two conferences followed that logic for the same day, both important events with a strong theme of community.

As one was all day, the other finishing after lunch, I did try to fit in both, but although my diary was accommodating, roadworks on a busy A road for a necessary new entrance to a major construction site provided an understandable if frustrating hold-up. This was made much worse by an accident on a main Harrogate arterial route which resulted in a police road closure and significant diversions with resulting delays. So the best laid plans…

I can talk this week about the conference I did get to, North Yorkshire Council’s Wider Partnership event and next about the Rural Forum held by Ripon Cathedral, one of the series of valuable discussions about rural life, and how we all, not just the church, can address concerns.

Twenty two years ago, when I was executive member for Community Services for North Yorkshire County Council, we introduced an event designed to bring together our partners in the voluntary sector.

“Stronger together, connecting people, places and partners to nurture communities that are resourceful, resilient, inclusive and empowered”, was and remains the aim. I said at the time it was a valuable information exchange between us all, but with some sandwiches at lunchtime it was a simple and inexpensive way of also saying thank you.

I`m pleased we have continued with it, well hosted by the central venue of the Pavilions in Harrogate, well attended by our wider partners without whom North Yorkshire would not be the place it is. Still relevant to and appreciated by the 200 or so attendees, it always concludes with some awards for individuals and organisations, some public recognition for what is often done very quietly in their communities.

I missed the opening addresses, catching only the final part of a talk by Gary Stott OBE, the executive chairman of Community Shop CIC, a regional charity, illustrating a novel approach to tackling food insecurity through food surpluses.

Fortunately I have copies of the slides he used so I can learn more about his innovative ideas. I completely missed the presentation from council officers in our Childrens’ directorate talking about how communities can create the circumstances where children thrive. I was told by delegates that this was inspirational, illustrating that although the council can and will provide help and interventions through practitioners, social workers and family navigators to help connect families with support opportunities, it is communities that change lives.

Early intervention works best when accessible and local, and one of the best early interventions is that of foster caring. The council is keen to recruit more people to this invaluable role, that is a key message we keep repeating at every opportunity.

Foster caring is one special kind of volunteering, and we always close this event with a number of Community Awards, presented again this year by Joanita Musisi of BBC Radio York, who told the audience that as her children had now grown she felt inspired to enter the volunteering world herself.

There were three categories, Wellbeing and Community Connection, Inclusive Communities, and Commitment to the Community. Each category had three finalists with a number of other entries highly commended.

For Wellbeing the competition was between Starbeck Cricket Club and their use of cricket to promote health, wellbeing and social connection; SELFA Springboard in the Craven district supporting young adults facing challenges with learning disabilities, mental health and isolation; and the winner was SENDure CIC from Whitby supporting families and young people with SEND issues.

Inclusive Communities saw competition between independence, a Scarborough based charity that provides a monthly nightclub style experience for adults with disabilities; Thirsk’s Community Works that provides a variety of experiences like a repair shed, digital inclusion programmes and social groups to reduce isolation; and the winner was Ryedale Special Families providing support to families of children with complex needs.

Commitment to the Community comprised individual nominations, Greta Knight for her service to the Bilton community, Maria Kitching from Burniston Village Hall, and the winners were Graham & Gwen Cleverly for their services to Austwick.

Worthy winners and our thanks to all.

Coun Carl Les the Leader of North Yorkshire Council.