Agenda item

Presentation showed on screen and on A3 printed handouts (see attachment)

Update from Groves Association for funding received

·      People have been appreciating the improved green spaces and plants

·      The area is now much nicer, brighter and fresher looking.

·      Pollinator-friendly and drought-resistant plants were chosen

·      Some were donated plants, used to fill up the space

Update from FOGGEY

·      Seed swaps and shares.

·      Helping those who do not have gardens to grow easy indoor edible plants such as salad crops, which also show results soon

·      Provision of compost and seeds

·      Had a seed swap engagement event at Groves Repair Café and had 20 people attend

·      Had a seed swap event at Springfield garden and had 8 people attend

·      Had another at Red Tower and had 12 people attend

·      Beginner-friendly plants were encouraged and seeds given out included: spring onions, cress, radishes and lettuce

·      2 more events to go for the project – 7^th May 12-1pm at planter at Peasholme green near Black Swan pub. The other will be 12^th May at Red Tower 10am – 11:30am

·      Surplus seeds are welcome if any residents or groups have extras and can donate, or want to attend a seed swap.

Update from Environment and Community Team

·      Ward funding allocated to some more plants and shrubs for Clarence gardens

·      Local volunteering takes place there such as with York Cares and employee volunteering and local volunteers.

·      Other volunteering opportunities available such as Bootham Rest Garden and Lord Mayor’s Walk, Tower Gardens, Foss Islands walkway. As well as volunteering schemes with all training and equipment provided: Leaf Clearer (mainly for Autumn), Litter Picking (year-round), Snow Warden (mainly Winter time).

·      Contact environmentandcommunity@york.gov.uk for more information or pick up a volunteering booklet.

Update from the Belfrey new youth project

·      New project for a mobile youth bus in the Guildhall Ward, planning to move the youth van to where the need is.

·      Due to start soon as a pilot project.

·      A new project that will change locations and go where there isn’t a youth service nearby, e.g. under-served areas

·      They will have videogames, laptops, homework help and tutor, and offer all-rounder youth activities

Update from Door 84

·      Youth sessions three times a week

·      targeted youth work

·      Series of activities such as Get Active, Get Cooking, Get Creative

·      Boys and girls into the activities

·      Running Family events and sessions

·      Wednesday community café with foodbank 2-4pm

·      Been running the community pantry for 1 1/2 years

·      They ‘purchase’ food every week through Fare Share subscription and sell on the food at 70% price discount.

·      This reduces costs for local people and the subscription to Fare Share was ward-funded and cost £750 for one year.

·      All residents are welcome to come along, for tea and coffee, social time, help and advice, they welcome more residents and thanked the council for the funding and support.

Update about York City Knights foundation

·      Activities and food with February half term sessions for children and young people at Park Grove school’s playing fields

Update about Shared Story CIC

·      Reducing loneliness through accessible story-telling social group at Hungate Reading Café, participants referred by practitioners such as mental health teams and the Local Area Coordinator

Update about Community Bees CIC

·      Hoarding peer support group, participants referred by practitioners such as mental health teams and the Local Area Coordinator

Update about York Archaeological Trust

·      Upskilling archaeology on prescription at Willow Green involving local young people to be engaged, socialising, building community, learning a new skill and taking part in social activity in their community

Update about ward noticeboards

·      Noticeboards help people to access support, especially in a large area. Leaflet delivery comes at a very high cost and there are still some areas without community centres. Therefore publicising community events into the notice boards allows council teams, local services, councillors and local groups to advertise their projects and their events with a poster in the notice boards.

·      Ward Budgets 2024-2025: Projects funded last year

o   Thanks to community partners who had a stall at information fair

o   Last year’s priorities

1.    Improving community safety by combatting Anti-Social Behaviour and crime through community interventions

2.    Improve our local environment, its bio-diversity and Air Quality, and reducing Guildhall’s carbon footprint

3.    Provide support to families and young people aged 0 to 25

4.    Reduce isolation and promote community cohesion

o   Last year’s budget £17,730