Community organisations supporting children and young people with additional needs, alongside volunteers who have made a lasting contribution to village life, have been recognised at North Yorkshire’s Community Awards.
The awards ceremony took place at the Wider Partnership Conference at the Pavilions of Harrogate on Friday, 16 October, celebrating individuals and organisations making a difference across the county.
Ryedale Special Families won the inclusive communities category, while SENDure CIC received the wellbeing and community connection award. Graham and Gwen Cleverly were named winners in the commitment to the community category.
The awards attracted 66 nominations across the three categories. Each winner received £1,000 for their project, group or, in the case of the volunteer awards, a relevant local charity. Two runners-up in each category received £250.
Accessible centre earns recognition for Ryedale Special Families
Ryedale Special Families won the inclusive communities category for its work supporting families of children and young people with disabilities, additional needs and complex medical conditions.
The organisation’s purpose-built accessible centre on Outgang Lane in Pickering provides specialist facilities, sensory spaces, educational resources and accessible community spaces designed to remove barriers for families.
Lisa Keenan, chief officer of Ryedale Special Families, said: Our aim is to ensure that those visiting the centre feel welcome and included. It provides a space that can enhance education, independence and social skills.
She said the organisation now hopes to develop the area outside the building to give young people and their families more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
Lisa Keenan, chief officer of Ryedale Special Families: We are proud of the accessible centre and now look to develop the area outside of the building to let young people and their families enjoy being in the great outdoors.
Community Works and Independence were runners-up in the category, with Carers Plus Yorkshire and Sherburn and Villages Community Trust highly commended.
SENDure CIC recognised for supporting families
SENDure CIC received the wellbeing and community connection award for its work supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and their families across Whitby and the surrounding areas.
The volunteer-led organisation provides inclusive activities, peer support and family-centred services intended to reduce isolation, improve wellbeing and help families feel connected to their communities.
Sean Kirk, founder and director of SENDure CIC: We deliver weekly sauna sessions for parents and carers, arts and crafts sessions for the children as well as horse-riding and sporting activities.
He said the organisation aimed to ensure everyone accessing its services felt welcome and supported.
Sean Kirk, founder and director of SENDure CIC: The children don’t get labelled and we hope that everybody goes home happier than when they came in.
Looking ahead, the organisation hopes to establish a community hub and welfare centre in Whitby to provide further support for families.
Sean Kirk, founder and director of SENDure CIC: For the future, we would love to open a community hub and welfare centre in the town to provide more support to the families that desperately need it.
Starbeck Cricket Club and SELFA Springboard were runners-up in the category, while Dales Heart and Craft and Little White Car were highly commended.
A lifetime of community commitment recognised
Graham and Gwen Cleverly won the commitment to the community category in recognition of their contribution to village life in Austwick, near Settle.
Since moving to the village in 2012, the couple have dedicated their time to fundraising, organising events, supporting local organisations and helping improve the area.
Their work has included leadership roles with community groups and involvement in projects covering rural broadband, environmental initiatives, open gardens, village shows, local history, renewable energy and support for Ukrainian refugees.
Gwen Cleverly, Community Awards winner: We have been involved in a lot of things and enjoy working on projects that benefit the community.
She added that Austwick’s community spirit made volunteering particularly rewarding.
Gwen Cleverly, Community Awards winner: I want to use my experience, time, and energy in a meaningful way. Austwick is a smashing place to live. It’s a vibrant community and anything I can do to help that continue and develop is very worthwhile.
Greta Knight and Maria Kitching were runners-up in the category.
Greta Knight was recognised for more than 25 years of work in the Bilton community, including serving as chair of Bilton and Woodfield Community Library since its founding, supporting Bilton Community Centre and previously managing St Michael’s Charity Shop on a voluntary basis.
Maria Kitching was recognised for her contribution to the transformation of Burniston and Cloughton Village Hall. Projects have included restoring derelict tennis courts, creating a multi-use games area, installing solar panels and insulation, and supporting young people through the youth club.
Carolyn Frank was highly commended for her work supporting businesses and community initiatives in Helmsley, including accessibility and public realm improvements, the town’s Great British High Street Award success and the Helmsley 365 / UK Town of Culture 2028 initiative.
Celebrating community work across the county
North Yorkshire Council’s chair, Councillor David Chance, praised the contribution made by the award recipients and those who nominated them.
Councillor David Chance, chair of North Yorkshire Council: We are always bowled over by the examples of lifechanging work of individuals and community groups who give their time to support and strengthen the places where they live.
Our Community Awards shine a light on the positive impact they have, and I would like to thank everybody who submitted nominations and congratulate the winners, runners-up and those highly commended.
The awards recognise the contribution of community organisations and volunteers across North Yorkshire, from improving access and support for families to strengthening local connections and improving village life.