Castle Howard raises record-breaking £25,000 for GOSH Charity

Castle Howard have achieved an extraordinary milestone by raising an amazing £25,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH Charity). This is the largest charitable sum raised in the North Yorkshire stately home’s recent history. Castle Howard fundraised for the charity as part of their Peter Pan-themed Christmas in Neverland event, which ran from…

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New report delivers blueprint for colleges to enhance West Yorkshire’s finance and professional services sector

A new report sets out how colleges can play a leading role in supporting West Yorkshire’s flourishing finance and professional services (FPS) industry. Commissioned by Luminate Education Group, the research builds on the work of the Yorkshire and Humber Financial and Professional Services Skills Commission, and highlights how colleges are currently an untapped resource for…

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City of York Council hits tree planting milestone

Almost 2,500 new trees have been planted as part of the council’s Green Streets© project. Working with local schools, parish councils and other stakeholders, trees have been planted along Malton Road and at Melrosegate Park, Huntington Environment Park, Carr Infants School, Lakeside Primary Academy, Burton Green Primary and seven other school sites. This first year of…

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Painting students fix up farm with volunteer makeover

A group of Leeds College of Building students brushed up on their skills after volunteering to redecorate facilities at Herd Farm Residential and Activity Centre. Painting & Decorating and Multi-Skills students from the College spent several weeks on site, prepping walls and woodwork before painting two office rooms, a reception area, and the staff kitchen….

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Oscrete lays “foundations for play” at Bradford primary schools

Employees at Bradford concrete admixture manufacturer Oscrete went back to school this month to improve the grounds at a local primary where two of the staff started their education. Oscrete’s concrete technicians and brothers Michael and Keiron Todd attended Lower Fields Primary School in Bradford between 2001 and 2011 and returned with colleagues this month…

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White Rose marks Mental Health Awareness Week

White Rose Shopping Centre is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week’s 2024 theme of Movement with a wellbeing walk on Wednesday 15th May. The event has been arranged with the centre’s long-established group of mall walkers as well as a number of White Rose brands including JD, Footasylum, M&S, McDonald’s, Wetherspoon, Superdrug, Flying Tiger, Lush, and Office….

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Building a smokefree generation in York

City of York Council is helping to create a smokefree generation in York. The council has been allocated £195k government funding to help expand its existing offer to residents and provide even more support to help people quit for good over the next five years – as new figures from Action on Smoking and Health…

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Yorkshire garden centre group smashes its fundraising target for its Charity of the Year

The team at Yorkshire Garden Centres is celebrating after raising over £24,000 for its 2023 Charity of the Year, Yorkshire Air Ambulance. The teams at Yorkshire Garden Centres’ four sites at Tong, Tingley, Otley and Bingley had aimed to raise £19,000 for the independent charity that relies solely on donations to provide its lifesaving rapid…

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White Rose celebrates Leeds community champions

White Rose Shopping Centre has honoured heroes from South Leeds and beyond at its annual Community Awards this week (2nd May), with recipients including charity leaders, landscaping specialists, and campaigning centre visitors. The Community Awards celebrate the incredible local people working hard to benefit their local community. 2024 winners include:  Lyn Morgan, a regular White…

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Yorkshire Building Society welcomes new Chair at Annual General Meeting and donates £25,000 to Fareshare

Yorkshire Building Society welcomed new chair Annemarie Durbin at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Met Hotel in Leeds last week. Members voted overwhelmingly in favour of all resolutions, including the appointment of board members, and in so doing raised £25,000 for FareShare, the mutual’s charity partner. The Society donated 20p for every vote…

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York businesses help support local young people leaving care

Young care leavers in York have been able to learn new skills, increase their independence and get life-enriching experiences thanks to the support of local businesses. City of York Council has been working with local businesses to help care leavers gain access to work experience, training and employment opportunities. The partnership has included GMI’s bespoke ‘Construction…

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New initiative launched to boost girls’ participation in sports and elevate female coaches across Europe

With girls in Europe four times less likely than boys to engage in organised sport1, the new initiative ICOACHGIRLS (ICG), led by researchers from Leeds Beckett University, aims to promote physical activity and sport amongst primary school-age girls. Co-funded by the European Union, with Leeds Beckett University’s Dr. Ruth Brazier managing the programme, ICG is…

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Leeds Beckett University using AI to support autism and ADHD diagnosis and services

Leeds Beckett University is leading a new project to develop ways of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support the diagnosis of ADHD and autism in adults, and to help with prioritisation of services. In partnership with South-West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SWYPFT), computing experts at Leeds Beckett aim to digitise the Trust’s adult ADHD…

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University’s All About Respect project secures Home Office funding to tackle sexual harm and hate crime among teenagers

Project to address harassment and unwanted sexual behaviour expands to include schools and colleges in York. York St John University is pleased to announce the expansion of its ground-breaking All About Respect (AAR) project to tackle gender-based violence and harassment. All About Respect in Education has already caught the attention of the Home Office as…

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Ebor Lecture: Professor Rupert Read explores climate change emergency

Spiritual orientation, climate chaos and reconnecting with nature will all be under the microscope in the first Ebor Lecture of 2024 Professor Rupert Read, Co-Director of the Climate Majority Project and Emeritus Professor at the University of East Anglia, will share his thoughts on eco-spirituality in his Ebor Spring lecture, Earth-Hope, at York St John…

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TPE on track to break taboos around women’s health

TransPennine Express (TPE) has signed up to become an Endometriosis Friendly Employer, helping to drive positive change in the workplace. By joining this scheme, the train operator pledges its commitment to colleagues with endometriosis, promising to raise awareness and break taboos surrounding women’s health issues. One in ten women suffer from endometriosis, a painful and…

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City of York Council Executive approves new Equalities approach

City of York Council’s Executive has endorsed its new ‘Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2024-27’, pending the outcome of public consultation. Equality objectives are required as part of meeting the council’s Public Sector Equality Duty and are a core commitment in the approved Council Plan, ‘One City, for all.’ The Executive has also approved that…

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£750,000 funding secured to extend and improve Acomb Explore Library

£250,000 has been secured to add to the Council’s committed £500,000 capital investment to extend and redevelop Acomb Explore Library. The additional £250k is the result of a successful application to the Arts Council’s Libraries Improvement Fund. It will support significant upgrades to the popular library learning centre in Acomb to ensure it continues to…

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Drax Community fund donates nearly £20k to Yorkshire organisations

First round of funding from the Drax Community Fund will see donations given to 33 organisations across the UK. This includes donations to more than 20 organisations in the Yorkshire area, which deliver STEM education and skills development, enhance green spaces or improve communities. Renewable energy leader, Drax Group has announced the support it will…

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New advertising rules to support children’s health

City of York Council is proposing to introduce new advertising rules across York to support children and families with healthy eating. The new advertising policy will be taken to an Executive meeting next week, and aims to restrict high fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) adverts being displayed across the city. The council is following in…

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Bradford Bulls Foundation empowers local community clubs and the development of rugby

The Bradford Bulls Foundation continues its mission to revolutionise the landscape of rugby league development, proudly welcoming 19 local Community Clubs for the 2024 season. This initiative underscores the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to supporting grassroots rugby and fostering strong ties within the community. “At the Bradford Bulls Foundation, we believe in the power of rugby…

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One In A Million charity launches CHANGE campaign

One In A Million charity is delighted to have been chosen as Mark Cowgill Bradford Chamber of Commerce president’s chosen charity during his two year tenure.  Mark invites you to support him with his ‘CHANGE’ campaign. As a local business, we are asking you to join us by signing up today to support our CHANGE…

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Bradford Bulls are delighted to become the 1st Rugby League club in the UK to sign up as Muslim Friendly Employers

The Bradford Bulls believe in the power of diversity and the importance of creating environments where everyone feels valued, respected and appreciated. We have received support and guidance from Muslim Friendly Employers’ CEO Humayun Islam BEM BCAc in recent weeks, with a number of exciting developments still to come from this partnership. Humayun Islam BEM…

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St Gemma’s Hospice to stage innovative fundraising appeal

The precious time appeal will see donors get their support instantly doubled On Sunday 21 and Monday 22 April, St Gemma’s Hospice will stage a first for Leeds – an online fundraising appeal using the CharityExtra platform, where donors will have their support instantly doubled. To enable this, the charity has persuaded a group of…

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Yorkshire Building Society supports customers and colleagues with hidden disabilities

Yorkshire Building Society has joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network, showing its support for customers and colleagues with non-visible disabilities. It is estimated that around 80% of disabilities are non-visible, including physical, mental, sensory and chronic conditions. Branches and offices will display “We Support the Sunflower” stickers and colleagues have taken part in training. Colleagues…

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Candlelighters receive donation of 50 Easter eggs from local housebuilder

Local housebuilder Barratt Developments Yorkshire West has donated Easter eggs to children’s cancer charity, Candlelighters, after hosting a 24-hour Easter egg collection challenge. The housebuilder received generous donations throughout the collection from their employees. The donation to Candlelighters allowed the charity to distribute Easter eggs to patients on the paediatric oncology ward at Leeds General…

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New Yorkshire Building Society mortgage helps first-time buyers get on the housing ladder earlier, for just £5k

Yorkshire Building Society is today launching its new and innovative £5k Deposit Mortgage to help tackle one of the biggest issues preventing people from achieving their homeownership dreams. The new mortgage is available directly to customers and via brokers through Accord Mortgages – the lender’s intermediary-only arm. This new and innovative product, believed to be…

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Council commits additional £100k to York’s free school meals pilots

An ambitious scheme to run pilots providing free school meals in primary schools in York has received a £100k boost, thanks to a commitment from City of York Council. The authority agreed to allocate a further £100,000 towards the scheme in 2024/25, in addition to the £100,000 provided in 2023/24, at its recent budget meeting….

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With video: RISE programme is transforming lives in York

A groundbreaking programme is proving to be life changing for adults who face barriers to employment. RISE (Reducing Inequalities, Supporting Employment) is a support programme that offers one-to-one advice and employability support, empowering those involved to overcome both personal and professional challenges. These include; unemployment, mental health issues, physical health challenges, autism and neurodivergence, financial…

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£13k worth of illegal vapes seized by City of York Council’s trading standards

£13k worth of illegal vapes have been seized during ‘Operation Hunter’ by City of York Council’s trading standards team. The team targeted businesses selling oversized e-cigarettes, which are non-compliant because they contain more than 2ml of nicotine liquid. Typically, legal vapes produce no more than 600 puffs. Operation Hunter took place over two days, where…

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Partnership delivers digital skills training to over 1,000 people from ethnically diverse communities in Bradford

A partnership to help improve digital and employability skills in Bradford district has celebrated one thousand people completing its programme. The Yorkshire Building Society Digital Skills for Employability in Bradford project is a partnership between the mutual and Good Things Foundation and was established in 2021. The programme aims to provide digital skills training, support…

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Bulls partner with Scouts to donate kits to Morocco

Bradford Bulls, in a gesture of goodwill and community spirit, have collaborated with Bradford Scouts to extend a helping hand to communities in Morocco. Through a heartfelt initiative, the Bulls have generously donated playing kits to the Bradford Scouts groups, who, in turn, carried them to Morocco, fostering sportsmanship and camaraderie across borders. The partnership between…

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Extra pitches planned to meet community’s needs and to improve health

An Executive report being discussed by councillors today will consider how the Council can fulfil its responsibilities to the city’s Gypsy and Traveller Communities on various sites across the city. The Council is landlord for sites at James Street, Osbaldwick and Clifton on which it collects rent for 61 pitches. The draft Local Plan identifies…

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Photo story: we will not tolerate domestic abuse in York

Far too many lives are impacted by the devastating effects of domestic abuse – an estimated 32,500 adult victims alone in York and North Yorkshire. A new strategy has been adopted by City of York Council (CYC) with a clear message that we will not tolerate domestic abuse within our region. The strategy will help…

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Major new mental health contract set to improve support for ethnically and culturally diverse communities

Local charities Mind in Bradford and Staying Put have won a joint bid to deliver a range of mental health treatment and services for ethnically and culturally diverse communities across Bradford district and Craven. The £4.5m contract was awarded by NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board through the Bradford District and Craven Health and Care…

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Free support for parents launches in York

Parents-to-be and new parents in York can now get support and advice in a handy booklet, thanks to a new initiative as part of the Raise York Family Hubs network. Supporting your parenting journey in York – a short booklet focussing on key parenting themes and signposting to further sources of information – is now…

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South Leeds adventure park reopens for the Easter holidays

An adventure park at a South Leeds garden centre has announced its Easter opening hours. Mission Out at Tingley Garden Centre reopens on 23rd March with the launch of a new children’s annual pass and an adult ‘pay once’ initiative for the 2024 season. Suitable for children aged seven and over, Mission Out is a…

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Bulls team up with Bradford Dementia Hub

To mark Dementia Action Week this week, non-profit mental health provider, Community Links, part of the Inspire North group, announces the launch of its new Bradford-based dementia information service. Bradford Dementia Hub will open in July to provide information and advice, supporting local people to manage their condition and live well with dementia. The service…

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Trinity Leeds and White Rose re-launch their enterprise initiatives as ‘Made in Yorkshire’, encouraging young people to help shape the future of retail

Trinity Leeds and White Rose shopping centres’ joint enterprise challenge, Made in Yorkshire, launched on Wednesday 28th February, with Oulton Academy and Bruntcliffe Academy taking part. This is the first time that the competition has run in this format, following the two shopping destinations running separate initiatives in the past. The ‘Made in Yorkshire’ challenge invites participants…

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York supports LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week

City of York Council’s fostering team and One Adoption North and Humber, the regional adoption agency for York, North Yorkshire and Humber, are showing their support for LGBTQ+ Adoption and Fostering Week (4-10 March). This year’s campaign, #DifferentTogether, reinforces the message that people from all backgrounds and sexualities make excellent adopters and foster carers, who…

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Bradford College cements ambitious plans for transformational campus buildings

Work will begin on several large capital investment projects at Bradford College shortly. Over the last two years, Bradford College has successfully secured nearly £29 million in funding. The considerable investment will enhance, refurbish, and build new aspirational facilities in the heart of Bradford. The projects form part of Bradford College’s ambitious estates strategy. The capital masterplan…

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Blue Badge holders’ second route into footstreets opens one month early

One month ahead of time, Blue Badge holders’ access into the city centre has been fully restored. Holders of valid Blue Badges and their drivers will once again be able to drive into the city centre at any time via Blake Street from 1 March. Access through Goodramgate opened on 4 January 2024. By making…

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Help shape Front Street improvements

City of York Council is seeking the views of residents and businesses on new ideas for Front Street in Acomb. In October 2023, £570,000 of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) money was approved by the council’s Executive for phase 2 improvements to Front Street. The council is now inviting residents, visitors, businesses and other stakeholders…

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Make a difference this Great British Spring Clean

City of York Council is appealing to residents, schools, businesses and community groups to get involved in the Great British Spring Clean 2024. This year the ninth annual Great British Spring Clean will take place from 15 -31 March 2024. During the Great British Spring Clean, the council will lend a hand to support anyone…

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How your business can support St Gemma’s Hospice and help provide vital care and support to local people in Leeds

St Gemma’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care for people with life limiting illnesses. Care is based on a simple idea – that the person is more than the illness. Each of us – sick or well – has unique physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. St Gemma’s responds to these needs in ways which place…

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Residents invited to in-person workshops to make York city centre more accessible

To help make York city centre more accessible for all, residents are invited to sign up to a series of in-person, detailed workshops. Blue Badge holders’ access to the city centre reopened on 4 January 2024 and we’ve been gathering feedback on users’ experiences and suggestions for improvement as part of an accessible and inclusive…

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Fortem link with Hälsa Wellbeing, a forward-thinking wellbeing business based in North Yorkshire

At Fortem People we know that success isn’t just about finding the right fit for your team.  It is also about creating a nurturing environment at work where staff thrive physically, mentally, emotionally and personally.  We are thrilled to tell you about our link with Hälsa Wellbeing, a forward-thinking Wellbeing Business based in North Yorkshire….

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More homes proposed for Council’s low-energy, 100% affordable Ordnance Lane site

A new planning application is proposing an extra 16 low-energy, 100% affordable homes at the Council’s Ordnance Lane site, to be set in even more green space. Following Executive’s decision in November 2023 to build 100% affordable homes off Fulford Road, these zero-carbon in use homes are proposed to increase in number from 85 to…

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