Community First Yorkshire

07/10/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐠𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥?
For Aileen Hall, Volunteer Development Manager at Castle Howard Estate, confidence has grown through listening, learning and adapting her communication.

Her new interview includes a useful reminder: “I don’t know, but I’ll find out.”

Whether you volunteer or support volunteers, we'd welcome one thing you've done or appreciated that helped a conversation.

Read the interview: https://sbee.link/thxr9ekgy8 …

06/10/2026

🤖The biggest AI challenge for many charities isn't the technology. It's knowing what to do with it.

Across the VCSE sector, we're hearing more organisations ask the same questions:
Where could AI genuinely save us time?
What are the risks?
What policies do we need?
How do we use it responsibly?

The conversation has moved beyond whether AI is coming. For many organisations, it's already part of day-to-day work.
The challenge now is building the confidence, skills and safeguards to use it well.

We're interested in what you're seeing. Has AI found a practical place in your organisation yet, or are you still weighing up the possibilities?

If you're looking for support to explore AI, develop policies or build confidence across your team, we're helping VCSE organisations navigate these questions every day. Do get in touch: https://sbee.link/aphc64vxdq

Yorkshire

05/10/2026

⏰ Funding deadline approaching!

Grants of up to £10,000 are available to help organisations deliver projects that support financial resilience through digital inclusion.
If your organisation helps people gain skills, confidence and access to opportunities online, now is the time to apply.

📅 Deadline: 12 noon, 9 October

Find out more and apply here: https://sbee.link/76bekj4hxu

02/10/2026

What’s on your doorstep? 💚

We had a lovely day in Filey celebrating International Day of Older People and talking about the people, places and services that help us stay active, connected and independent as we get older.

Our Age Friendly Network was there celebrating year’s theme, What’s on Your Doorstep?, and encouraging conversations about what’s available locally, what helps people stay connected and some of the barriers people can face.

Our lovely Age Friendly team - Claire and Catherine - enjoyed meeting local people, sharing ideas and hearing about what matters to them. And we were especially pleased to be joined by our Age Friendly Network Ambassador Marilyn. 🌟

As an extra surprise, we got to meet the Mayor of Filey, Wendy Fenlon, an Councillor Mike Fenlon to talk about the importance of nurturing an all-age friendly society.

A huge thank you to Age UK North Yorkshire Coast and Moors and Filey Fields Court for organising the day and hosting us, and to everyone who stopped by for a chat. 😊

Read more 👉 https://sbee.link/bpjhx967ar

Housing 21

02/10/2026

👀 On our Feed this week…

What can a volunteer give to their community?

In Knaresborough, the answer includes local knowledge, stories, enthusiasm and a very warm welcome.

This post from Knaresborough Town Council caught our eye after its volunteer Town Guides were recognised for their contribution to the town.

Over the past 12 months, the guides have welcomed more than 2,000 visitors on free walking tours, with four volunteers also completing their Welcome to Yorkshire White Badge training.

Why did we pick it?

Because it’s a lovely reminder of just how varied volunteering can be.
These volunteers aren’t only giving their time. They’re sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for the place they live, helping visitors discover its history and creating a connection with the community that you simply couldn’t get from a leaflet or a signpost.

Sometimes volunteering starts with something you already have and would love to share.

👉 See Knaresborough Town Council’s original post: https://sbee.link/djrgyc43ep

01/10/2026

🎾 Don’t take your eye off the ball!

This week’s got 14 VCSE opportunities you won’t want to miss… including:

🐾 Lollipop York – Activity Leader and Fundraising Officer
📍 York/North Yorkshire/Remote | ⏰ Part time

🐾Project Marigold – Trustees
📍 Ryedale/Remote | ⏰ Part time

🐾 MySight York – Sight Support Advisor and Team Administrator
📍 York | ⏰ Part time

🐾 Yorkshire Miners' Welfare Convalescent Homes – Trustees
📍 Pontefract/Remote| ⏰ Part time

🐾 Harrogate Homeless Project - HHP – Activities Officer, Administration Officer, Financial Controller, Life Skills Coach and Women's Support Worker
📍 Harrogate | ⏰ Part and full time

🐾Two Ridings Community Foundation – Grants Administrator
📍 York | ⏰ Part time

🐾Caring Together North Yorkshire – Trustees
📍 Ryedale/Whitby| ⏰ Part time

Fetch the details here 👇 https://sbee.link/duth9nqyfv

01/10/2026

Being unable to get online isn't an inconvenience anymore. It can mean missing out on jobs, support and financial stability.

Across North Yorkshire, many organisations are seeing the same thing: people struggling not because help isn't available, but because it's increasingly accessed through digital channels.

Digital confidence can help someone apply for work, manage bills, access benefits, stay connected and make informed financial decisions.

That's why we're funding community projects that help people build both digital skills and financial resilience.

Grants of up to £10,000 are available for VCSE organisations want to offer support in their communities.

Find out more:

It enables people to access advice, manage household finances, apply for jobs, connect with services, learn new skills and stay informed.

29/09/2026

Sometimes the most useful answer in the VCSE sector starts with: "We're dealing with that too."

Whether it's funding pressures, volunteer recruitment, governance challenges or responding to changing community needs, there's real value in hearing what others are seeing and doing.

That's why networks matter.

Our upcoming Volunteer Coordinator Network (12 October) and VCSE Voices (13 October) meetings create space for organisations to share experiences, spot opportunities and stay connected to what's happening across the sector.

Find more https://sbee.link/jrf36edt4v

Because sometimes the most helpful insight isn't expert advice. It's knowing you're not tackling the challenge alone.

25/09/2026

More Yorkshire, more challenges—and just five minutes between the teams at the end of Day 1! 🗺️🎬
Here’s Part 2 of Village Green’s Race Across Yorkshire, following Team Ria & Charles and Team Patrick & Victoria through the next stops and towards a closely matched finish. 💚
These are just the highlights. More detailed films from each stop are coming soon, introducing the people and community projects behind the adventure.
▶️ Watch the full Day 1 highlights:
https://sbee.link/e9qxykw3ah
Give Village Green a follow to see what happens next. Who are you backing for Day 2? 👇