New project to prevent Child Exploitation in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership are proud to launch their new Be Aware Knowledge hub.

Be Aware is a knowledge hub designed to help prevent and tackle child exploitation in North Yorkshire. It has been used by professionals across North Yorkshire as a key source of knowledge and information about child exploitation since March 2021. The site has now expanded to include vital information designed for young people, parents, carers and local communities so we can all help to tackle child exploitation in North Yorkshire together.

The site has been developed in consultation with young people and families across North Yorkshire, ensuring the information is shaped in ways that will have the biggest impact.

Stories and experiences of child exploitation have also been shared, so families and residents can see what child exploitation can look and feel like, and the impact it can have on victims.

One young person who shared their experiences of child exploitation said “if I tell my story and how everything happened with me, I think they’d be able to listen and, like, understand more about and stupid it is”. His mum, who also shared her story said “if it helps at least one person, then it’s done something hasn’t it?”

The site is designed with information designed specifically for parents, carers, young people, local residents and businesses to raise awareness and provide a one-stop shop of information about child exploitation by highlighting:

  • What child exploitation is and what it can look like.
  • Highlighting the different types of child exploitation – including County Lines and online exploitation.
  • How to talk to children about what child exploitation is, and things we can all do to help young people stay safe.
  • What the signs are that child exploitation and grooming may be happening.
  • What help and support is available in North Yorkshire if you are worried.

Child exploitation is happening across North Yorkshire. All children are vulnerable. Local families and young people have helped @nyscp1 create a hub of key knowledge so we can all tackle child exploitation together.

find out more at:

www.safeguardingchildren.co.uk/beaware #beaware

Master a TikTok Dance and lose weight!

The very useful coming together of social media and public health make the following article interesting!

A dad who topped the scales at 30 stone (191kg) said dancing on TikTok helped him shed a third of his weight.

Adrian Scarlett, 52, said he always struggled with his weight but his young children gave him a “wake-up call”.

The father-of-three has dropped more than 10 stone (64kg) through diet, determination and dancing on the platform under the name Bye Bye Fatman.

Mr Scarlett’s videos have had millions of views and now he wants to help others lose weight too.

“I’ve had a binge-eating disorder throughout my adult life,” he said.

“Any time I have been under stress, food has been the comfort.”

Now weighing 18 stone, he is continuing his journey through diet and dancing

He said he “changed his mindset” after getting married and raising his children aged six, three and 20 months.

Mr Scarlett, a teacher at a school in Hereford, said meal replacement shakes helped him to shift the first few stones, which he continued with healthy eating and exercise.

“My children were my wake-up call,” Mr Scarlett said.

He documented his journey through a number of dance videos to trending songs on TikTok using his @Bye_Bye_Fatman profile.

It has attracted about 52,000 followers and more than 3.1m likes.

“As the audiences increase, I am now held accountable by more and more people and it is impossible to fail because I have people watching me,” he said.

Full article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-62184648


The boom in elderly people living in rural areas impacts on local area social care

The Evening Standard The Evening Standard reports analysis by the County Council Network (CCN) revealed that the number of over-65s living in county and rural areas has increased by a million over the past decade

The CCN raised concerns that the demographic shift is heaping pressure on underfunded adult social care services.

County councils are also concerned that reforms to adult social care, due to be introduced from October 2023, could lead to reduced quality and access to services unless the Government provides more funding and changes how it shares resources between councils.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:

“Reforming adult social care is a priority and we are investing £5.4 billion over the next three years to end spiralling care costs and support the workforce.

This includes £3.6 billion to reform the social care charging system and enable all local authorities to move towards paying providers a fair cost of care, and a further £1.7 billion to begin major improvements across adult social care in England.”

The rural community and the Tory leadership race

Farming UK reports that campaigners have urged conservative leadership candidates to prioritise farming and rural communities amidst the cost-of-living crisis, as the leadership contest accelerates

This includes passing measures to ease the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis, including a VAT cut for transport fuel.

The calls follow a Countryside Alliance snap survey of more than 230 people outlining the consequences of the crisis on rural businesses, households, and individuals such as fuel poverty.

The rural vote has become increasingly important in recent general elections and Labour and the Lib Dems are actively targeting the Tories’ Green Wall.

Chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, Tim Bonner said:

“Thriving rural communities are the solution to the challenges facing our environment, not the problem, and government policy must reflect that.”

Heatwave advice

After a week of high temperatures across the UK, the Met Office has issued a very rare amber warning for much of England

In many parts of the Country temperatures are expected to peak above 37 °C

The main risks posed by a heatwave are:

  • Not drinking enough water (dehydration)
  • Overheating (especially amongst the vulnerable)
  • Heat exhaustion and heatstroke

Some advice during the heatwave:

  • Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle (especially young children and animals)
  • Keep the sun out by closing blinds and curtains
  • Park your vehicle in the shade if possible
  • Between 11am – 3pm it is best to try to avoid going out in the sun
  • Make sure you use plenty of sun cream
  • Walk or stay in the shade in possible
  • Make sure you drink regularly and have plenty of water available

You may be eligible to join the priority services register if you:

  • Have reached your state pension age
  • Are disabled or have a long-term medical condition
  • Are recovering from an injury
  • Have a hearing or sight condition
  • Have a mental health condition
  • Are pregnant or have young children
  • Have extra communication needs (such as if you don’t speak or read English well).

You might still be able to register for other reasons if your situation isn’t listed. For example, if you need short-term support after a stay in hospital. Contact your utility provider for assistance.

Enjoy the lovely weather, but above all, stay safe!

Local Volunteering Opportunities

Do you have time to spare that could usefully support some local Charity organisations? There exist some Local voluntary and community sector job opportunities

Opportunities to work with Harrogate and District Community Action (HADCA ) member organisations and their partners often appear on the 

HADCA website

This is a list of the current advertised vacancies.

Open Country – Communications & Fundraising Officer (closing date 8 July)

Open Country – Fundraising Officer (closing date 8 July)

Community First Yorkshire – Operations Assistant (closing date 12 July)

Ripon Museum Trust – Administration Officer (closing date 14 July)

North Yorkshire Hospice Care – Retail Driver (closing date 14 July)

Saint Michaels Hospice – Hospice Services Coordinator (closing date 15 July)

Foundation UK – Housing Support Worker (closing date 17 July)

Foundation UK – Project Officer (closing date 17 July)

North Yorkshire Hospice Care – In Memory Fundraiser (closing date 18 July)

Home-Start Leeds – Coordinators x 2 (Part-Time) (closing date 18 July)

Dancing for Well-Being CIC – Dancing for Well-Being Manager (closing date 22 July)

Saint Michaels Hospice – Wellbeing Support Worker (closing date 25 July)

North Yorkshire Hospice Care – Assistant Shop Manager (closing date 27 July)

North Yorkshire Hospice Care – Assistant Shop Manager (closing date 28 July)

Just B –  CYP Services Coordinator (closing date 1 August)

Saint Michaels Hospice – PA to CEO (closing date 2 August)

Summer Holiday Support for Young People

What is FEAST

FEAST offers different activities for everyone to take part in during the school holidays 

All children and young people across North Yorkshire can get involved in a range of sessions, with free places and a free lunch for children and young people on benefits-related Free School Meals. You can search for activities by location, ages, SEND suitable and organisers here

Inspire Summer 2022 Activities
 A full and diverse programme of activities outdoors from the Inspire Youth mobile youth base for a range of ages from 8-16 in Knaresbrough, Starbeck and Ripon.

Interactive games, arts and crafts, cooking, outdoor education and sport, all focussed on developing greater life skills, providing new and exciting opportunities whilst having fun, with free places for those eligible.  

Inspire Youth are also working in partnership with Harrogate Town AFC Community Foundation to provide an additional week of activities in Boroughbridge.

Fancy a quiz Supper?

May be an image of text that says "RIPON Community House Surprise Surplus Supper & Quiz"

Tuesday 5 July, 7 – 10.30pm
Ripon Community House, 75 Allhallowgate

Help cut down on food wastage and enjoy surplus donated food together with friends and family, with a delicious surprise 3 course meal, paying only as you feel.

Join in the quiz and try your luck on our tombola, with all proceeds going to Community House, to continue their work in supporting our community.

Tickets can be purchased from reception at Community House. QUIZ £2, Supper is Pay as you feel.