Better Connect

Together we can make Yorkshire a place where every person can thrive in their life and work

02/09/2026

£900k in funding, 70+ applications diligently scored (twice), and 25 organisations awarded Trailblazing Community Grants 🥳🥳

And that’s just part of July and August.

A big thank you to everyone who enquired, came along to our webinar, and applied for Round 2 of our YNYCA and NYC funded Trailblazer Community Grants programme.
We received some fantastic applications!

In Year 1, we collectively supported 466 individuals across 28 projects, with more than 85% reporting increased employability skills at project end.

Now, we’re excited to see how the programme evolves and the impact our 25 grantees can make in their local communities.

Swipe to meet the organisations we’re funding, and scan the code to learn more 📲

28/08/2026

A huge congratulations to our Director of Finance, Julie, on being named one of the Top 50 Women in Accounting 2026! 👏

A brilliant recognition of Julie’s contribution to the accounting community, and we’re so proud to see her recognised alongside so many inspiring women in the accountancy world.

Alongside her work with us at Better Connect, Julie heads Moonstone as founder and MD, runs her own Feng Shui consultancy, and has a wealth of experience supporting fellow accountants and members through her work with the CIMA's MiP Committee.

Julie was nominated for the Community Impact Award, which recognises women making a meaningful contribution to the accounting community through mentorship, advocacy and knowledge-sharing.

Congratulations Julie! 🏆🩵

26/08/2026

Earlier this month, we had the pleasure of capturing Up For Yorkshire's Cultural Celebration Day at Brayton Community Centre. 📸

A fantastic event bringing together Selby’s vibrant international community to celebrate culture, connection and their three-year SWIFT project: a service providing advice, support and opportunities for migrants living across North Yorkshire.

It’s been a busy summer for our videography service, and working alongside UFY to capture a day celebrating community, connection and unity was certainly one of our highlights!

Have an event or story you’re keen to share? Click the link in our bio or get in touch:
📩 [email protected]

P.S. Swipe for an honorary third member of our Impact team! 👀

31/07/2026

✨ July's team day ✨

This month, we:

💼 Heard from The IEP's Charlotte Ellan about Better Connect's membership, making the most of the IEP platform, and the wide range of courses available for everyone from IPS specialists to everyday employability professionals.

🙌 Reflected on LEAP's progress so far, with Jo sharing key learning from Years 1 and 2 of delivery. (Since March alone, we've supported 34 people paid work placements!)

👉 Took part in a values and culture workshop led by Debs, exploring what (and who) drives us, and how our shared values shape the way we work.

Monthly team days are always a brilliant opportunity to connect, learn, and invest in the people behind Better Connect 🩵

28/07/2026

Together with Waythrough and Working for Health CIC, we’re delivering Connect to Work in York: supporting more people to find and sustain employment that meets their needs.

Swipe through to learn more about Connect to Work and our role within it 👉

Scan the QR code to find out more.

29/06/2026

Have an event or story you'd like to capture? 🎬

We'd love to chat.

Throughout June, we've been working with to capture the impact of Eventure, a Knaresborough-based partnership bringing free events to the local community.

So far, we’ve covered Knaresborough’s celebrated annual Bed Race, chatted with York and North Yorkshire CA Mayor , and spent Saturday filming the town’s answer to Glastonbury at Party in the Castle.

There's plenty more to come, but here's a little behind-the-scenes look at what we've been up to lately.

Planning an event, launching a project, or have a story worth telling?

📩 Drop our team an email at [email protected].

19/06/2026

We are excited to be working with Chain Lane Community Hub and the Eventure Partnership Project to help tell the story of how they are responding to an increasingly challenging landscape and help secure the future of Knaresborough's much-loved community events 📸🎥

Our videos will showcase the power of partnership, bringing together businesses, charities, volunteers and community groups to tackle challenges, build resilience and keep free events thriving for residents and visitors alike 🎉

It was great to catch up with Mayor David Skaith at the bed race and talk about the importance of community events!

Got any stories to tell or want us to help you capture the impact of an event or project? Get in touch 👋🏼

15/06/2026

Trailblazer Community Grants are back 🙌

£900,000 is available to support community-led projects helping people across York and North Yorkshire build confidence, develop skills, and take their first steps towards employment.

Last time around, Trailblazer Community Grants supported 28 projects and more than 450 local people.

Now we're looking for the next round of organisations with ambitious ideas that can make a difference in their communities.

Thinking about applying?

Join our free information webinar to learn more about:

👉 Who can apply
👉 What we're looking for
👉 Available funding
👉 Key dates and next steps

💷 Grants available: £10,000–£100,000

⏰ Applications close Monday 13 July, 9.30am.

Find out more via the link: https://betterconnect.org.uk/our-projects/trailblazer-community-grants/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPNTY3MDY3MzQzMzUyNDI3AAGn_dcf69Y6kelEMwUawLSNItExpdY6BpXDxrWT8Mlrdj2X9ATzOp9e2Qnntl0_aem_1xljZsD5H348W8HeljTWmg

10/06/2026

launch event for year two of Rise2Thrive Trailblazer! 🙌

Over the past year, we've had the privilege of leading a partnership of more than 30 specialist VCSE organisations, united by a shared ambition: helping people across York and North Yorkshire overcome barriers to employment through personalised, place-based support.

Together, we've supported more than 1,300 people across the region, with 78% progressing towards employment, job search, education or training.

Yesterday was an opportunity to celebrate those achievements, reflect on what we've learned as a partnership, and look ahead to the next chapter of the programme.

It was also a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when local organisations come together around shared ambition and investment.

We can’t wait for another year of local partnerships, local expertise, and region-wide social impact 🤝

Stay tuned for more on year 2 of this programme!

*Rise2Thrive Trailblazer forms part of the Get Britain Working Economic Inactivity Trailblazer, which helps people in York and North Yorkshire with health conditions return to work. The programme is delivered through York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and led by Better Connect. *

04/06/2026

What does leadership in employability look like?

For our CEO, Natasha Babar-Evans, it's about staying connected to the people, partnerships and ideas helping to shape the future of the profession.

We're delighted to share that Natasha has recently been awarded Fellowship of The Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP).

The Fellowship recognises individuals who have made a significant contribution to employability practice and are committed to advancing the profession.

As Natasha reflects:

"This Fellowship feels like recognition not just of my own journey, but of the amazing people and partnerships I've had the privilege of alongside."

Swipe for more, and head to the link our bio to read our CEO's full reflections!

Address

Chain Lane Community Centre, Chain Lane
Knaresborough
HG50AS

Opening Hours

Monday

9am - 5pm

Website

https://betterconnect.org.uk/

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