On 17 July, we were delighted to welcome Dr Ruth Smith, High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, to Harrogate Community House. 

Ruth enjoyed a short tour of our community hub, including the Harrogate Deaf Society's Resource Centre, and met our charity tenants. 

The High Sheriff with Bob Tunnicliffe in The Harrogate Deaf Society Resource Centre 

Thank you to Ruth who was very supportive, understood the challenges the voluntary sector faced and was very interested to hear about the fantastic work our tenants do and the difference they make, working so hard to meet the needs of all the people who turn to them.   

Ruth presented special High Sheriff’s Awards for great and valuable services to the community to volunteers with Open Country, HELP and Help Out Harrogate.   

Rachel Gregory and volunteer Sally Weatherill from Open Country; Frances Elliot, HADCA CEO; Kevin and Joyce Lodge, HELP and Help Out Harrogate volunteers; Alistair Ratcliffe, HADCA trustee and Rotary Club volunteer; Stan Lumley, Community House Facilities Manager.       

Sally has been involved volunteering with Open Country since the very beginning over 30 years ago! With skills ranging from driving a minibus to organising swimming trips, dedicated Sally is an integral part of Open Country's weekend activities - adventure club, outings and walking groups, as well as being a keen volunteer at the weekly allotment group and regular attendee at advisory group meetings. Sally is caring and empathic, an invaluable member of the Open Country team; her years of experience, enthusiasm and sense of fun provide great support for members and staff alike. 

Kevin and Joyce have volunteered for many years, including with HELP during the pandemic shopping for local people and marshalling at vaccination centres. Over the years they have given hundreds of hours of their time to help people get out and about, offering a listening ear and a friendly face, often to people who are isolated or lonely. Both Joyce and Kevin are trusted volunteers who have been ambassadors for the work HELP does, going above and beyond often helping out at short notice and supporting people with more complex needs. They are now regular volunteers at Help out Harrogate events, supporting other groups who need some extra willing help. This has included pulling pints at a local charity Beer Festival and ensuring that flu clinics ran smoothly at the local GP practice.  Joyce and Kevin are a joy to have on the team.  

We were delighted our own trustee Alistair also received a well deserved award. Alistair represents The Rotary Club of Harrogate on our Board and is very generous with his time supporting us whenever we need an extra pair of hands. Alistair gave many long hours volunteering at the vaccination centres and quietly does a huge amount to help our community, including being one of the team behind the hugely successful annual Nidderdale Charity Walk which has now raised an incredible £1million for local charities! We are very grateful that Alistair shares his time with us. 

Alistair said:  “I just wanted to say how thrilled I am to have received this award and thank you so much for nominating me. It means a lot and is much appreciated.”

Thank you to all of our fantastic charity tenants who took time to tell Ruth about their work: Dancing for Well-Being; Harrogate Deaf Society;  Open Country; Supporting Older People; IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services); Lifeline Harrogate; Harrogate Town Community Foundation; Sensory Days; Open Arms Malawi; Harrogate Fair Trade Shop.   

18 July 2024