Community Foundation for Calderdale

16/10/2026

Do you know where your nearest defibrillator is? 🤔

On Restart a Heart Day, it’s worth taking a minute to find out.

Defibrillators can play a vital part in surviving a cardiac arrest, and knowing where the nearest one is could save precious time in an emergency. The British Heart Foundation’s Defib Finder lets you enter your postcode and see registered defibrillators nearby.

Find yours here: https://www.defibfinder.uk/

And remember, in an emergency always call 999 first. The ambulance service can also direct you to the nearest available defibrillator.

16/10/2026

Have you spotted Wainhouse Tower lit up in Next Step Trust's colours? 👀

To celebrate their 20th anniversary, the tower will be lighting up this evening at 6.00 pm. Head over to see it for yourself, with warm drinks and sweet treats available too!

We had a lovely time at Next Step Trust's AGM earlier today, hearing how they've been helping make the Next-Steppers' dreams come true, from relaxing spa days to the excitement of Silverstone.

It was heart-warming to see, and we'll be sharing more of these special memories soon.

A huge well done to everyone at Next Step Trust, and congratulations on 20 amazing years! 🥳

✨Have you spotted it yet?👀

Wainhouse Tower has been lighting up in Next Step Trust colours to celebrate our 20th anniversary! 💙💚🩷

Keep an eye out over the next week and join us in celebrating 20 years of Next Step Trust! 🎉

16/10/2026

We’re keeping good food affordable by working with FareShareYorkshire to bring high-quality surplus food to the Sowerby community.

By coming along, you're supporting a community project that keeps food affordable and protects the planet. Everything from fruit, veg, bread, milk, tins, cereals, meat, cheese, fresh bits and more.

We also have free drinks and snacks for the kids & a friendly face on hand for any signposting or support you might need from Citizens Advice Calderdale.

No referral. No fuss.
Just good food, good value and a warm welcome.

⏰ Every Friday, 3-6p.m
📍 Grassroots CIC at St. Peter’s Community Centre - Sowerby
💷 15 items of good quality food for just £5

Kindly funded by Community Foundation for Calderdale

16/10/2026

Fewer than 1 in 10 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Neil survived a cardiac arrest after his heart stopped for 22 minutes. His experience led to the creation of Neil’s Calderdale Community CPR Fund with CFFC, which has since supported CPR training and helped keep local defibrillators accessible and in operation.

One of those defibrillators was used when Allan went into cardiac arrest. Twice.

Somehow, amid everything happening around him, Allan remembers being rather concerned that the paramedics were going to ruin his new Huddersfield Town shirt.

On Restart a Heart Day, watch Allan and PC Steph tell the story of what happened that day, with Neil explaining why the experience shows just how important CPR training and accessible defibrillators can be.

Full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pj1kBa7Hy4

If your local not-for-profit organisation would like free CPR training, get in touch at [email protected].

15/10/2026

Come and help us mark the end of an era at CFFC.

Our 35th Annual General Meeting will be followed by a special celebration for Steve Duncan DL, who retires at the end of the year after 26 years with the Foundation.

The AGM itself will be short and formal, before we look back on Steve’s time with CFFC and the contribution he has made to communities across Calderdale.

The event takes place on Thursday 10th December, with a buffet from 12.00 pm, the AGM at 1.00 pm and the event finishing at 4.00 pm.

Tickets are free, but booking is required.

Please book your place here: https://CFFC-AGM-2026.eventbrite.co.uk

15/10/2026

🎃 Places still available for October Half Term at Warley Road Academy!

Looking for fun activities to keep the children busy this half term?

There are still places available on the Healthy Holidays Calderdale sessions at Warley Road Academy, delivered by 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 and Nurturing Creativity.

Running from Monday 26th to Thursday 29th October, 10.00 am to 2.00 pm, children can enjoy sports, drama and plenty of Halloween fun, including a fancy dress party on the Thursday! 👻

Breakfast and a hot meal are also included.

FREE places are available for children eligible for Targeted Free School Meals.

*** Please note that free school meal eligibility rules changed in September 2026, meaning not all children receiving free school meals qualify for free Healthy Holidays places ***

Check the eligibility criteria here:
https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-08/Healthy-holidays-free-school-meal-changes-2026.pdf

A limited number of paid places are also available.

Book your place here: https://eequ.org/book/warley-road-primary-haf-with-positive-impact-sports-25384

14/10/2026

🔐 How secure is your charity or community group online?

Cyber security might not be top of your organisation’s to-do list, but protecting your information and finances is important, whatever the size of your group.

Join the Cyber Resilience Centre Network, in partnership with UK Community Foundations, for a FREE 45-minute online session to learn about simple steps you can take to protect your organisation and the fully funded cyber security support available.

The free online session is on Monday 19th October at 11.00 am.

The session is designed for grassroots charities and community groups, and is open to staff, trustees and volunteers. No technical knowledge is needed.

Register for your free place here: https://tinyurl.com/3nfu2wsm

13/10/2026

“Don’t just take from the culture, give to it.”

That’s a principle Outdo Media brings to its work in Calderdale.

Outdo sponsored the photography at this year’s Community Spirit Awards, while CEO Mike Brennan also joined our judging panel.

In our latest Sponsor Spotlight, Laura McDonald talks about Outdo’s roots in Calderdale and what giving back locally means to the business.

Click to read Laura’s full interview: https://cffc.co.uk/community-spirit-in-action-laura-mcdonald-outdo-media/

12/10/2026

Would you like to help Calderdale children enjoy healthier, more positive school holidays?

Healthy Holidays Calderdale is offering grants to organisations that can deliver activities in 2027.

The programme supports children receiving targeted benefits-related free school meals, giving them access to enjoyable holiday activities alongside healthy food.

You don't need to have delivered Healthy Holidays before. If your organisation already works with children and young people, runs activities or has an idea that could work during the school holidays, we’d encourage you to take a look.

Applications close next week on Thursday 22nd October 2026!

Click here for the full guidance and application form: https://cffc.co.uk/healthy-holidays-calderdale-2027/

Funded by Department for Education

07/10/2026

“Some parents have told us it was the first time they had ever spoken to somebody else about how they felt as a parent of a disabled child.”

Carers United brings together parents of disabled children from diverse cultural backgrounds in Calderdale, where they can meet others who understand some of the pressures they face.

After Carers United won the Making A Difference Award at this year’s Community Spirit Awards, we spoke to Katie Clarke about how the group began and the difference that connection can make.

Read Katie’s full interview: https://cffc.co.uk/carers-united-katie-clarke-on-finding-people-who-understand/