More than 30 organisations operating in the Ripon area – including the city council, retailers, the cathedral, schools and heritage attractions – are featured on a colourful community jigsaw organised and assembled by the Jennyruth Workshops charity.

The project, in which participants were each given a single jigsaw piece to decorate with messages and logos, was made possible with a grant from Ripon City Council.

Anna Smith, Jennyruth Workshops’ publicity and media officer, said:

“Our aim was to involve as many people, places, organisations and establishments that make up the wonderful city of Ripon as we can, in creating a vibrant and unique jigsaw-style display to be showcased around various venues in the city.”

She added:

“It paints a picture of our community and all the diverse ways that we work together, live alongside each other, help and support each other and forge links together, through good times and bad.”

The Pet Shop in Old Market Place, Ripon, is the first to display the jigsaws in its window and owner Jane Fisher told the Stray Ferret:

“We are delighted to be involved with this community project. Jennyruth is a wonderful charity, doing great work and producing very high quality items.”

The jigsaws will remain in The Pet Shop window for two weeks and then move on to another prominent location in Ripon.

The Jennyruth Workshops charity was founded by Barrie and Sue Evason and provides learning through work for adults with learning disabilities.

With support from full-time staff and a team of volunteers, the workers make brightly-painted wooden goods at the charity’s base in Bridge Hewick near Ripon, with products ranging from bee homes and bird houses to Christmas decorations and bespoke goods.

One of the two community jigsaws produced by the Jennyruth Workshops charity

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Despite the coronavirus lockdown, production has continued with the workers – who are aged from 19 to 73 – working from their homes and maintaining contact through daily zoom meetings and an online newsletter.

Barrie, who raised money to set up the workshops through a series of sponsored long-distance walks with son Jonathan, died in February and his ashes will be buried later this year in an urn at a memorial garden created on the workshops site.

Boroughbridge Community Care has been providing essential support during the pandemic and is now in need of further funding and volunteers to cover demand.

The charity has adapted its needs to those in the community, offering food parcels, gardening services and advice for those experiencing financial struggles as a result of covid.

It has missed out on vital fundraising opportunities and, as volunteers return to work, the need for more is growing.

Manager of the charity, Karen Parker, said:

“We would be really keen to have new volunteers come forward to help in any way they want. It’s difficult to get hold of funds currently, of course we can’t fundraise during these times. But any ideas are welcome! Organisations that have stepped up and come forward the help the community accounts for additional funds but there is only limited funding coming in whilst our expenses are increasing.”

The charity has always provided transport to appointments and social sessions such as coffee mornings and lunch clubs. Recently, it has seen the needs change within the community to cover younger families as well as the elderly and vulnerable.

Karen added:

“There’s nothing that beats that face to face chatting, that contact is invaluable. It’s just about finding alternative ways to continue support whilst keeping everyone safe. I think there is still the need but a different need, we’ve always supported older and more vulnerable people but since covid we now cover younger families too.

“I think there’s a gap in some people’s finances after being furloughed or out of work for months, so it’s about fulfilling the need to offer those essential services and making sure they know we’re here to help if they need it. Particularly those people that find themselves in a new situation, we can help.”

The charity, found above the library in Boroughbridge, is hopeful to resume its usual social events and fundraising once government restrictions ease.

It is determined to offer support to those in need with the help of additional volunteers.

A teacher from Knaresborough says she needs more support to help those seeking asylum settle into the Harrogate district.

Anne Morley has spent her free time in recent months taking supplies like shoes and mobile phones to asylum seekers in Leeds.

There are currently around 130 asylum seekers living in a hotel in Leeds. The coronavirus pandemic has meant that they are not able to go into detention centres.

Ms Morley has won the support of some people in Knaresborough but she needs more help. Asylum seekers are not entitled to any benefits before they have gone through a legal process and gained refugee status.

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She says it is a life in limbo for the asylum seekers after a treacherous journey from war-torn countries like Syria, Iraq and Sudan. Many are not able to tell their families that they have arrived safely in the UK because they have no working phones.

That is something that Ms Morley and charity Care4Calais has tried to change. Ms Morley told the Stray Ferret that asylum seekers want to come to the UK and contribute:

“Some people have this view that asylum seekers want to come here and claim benefits but it is simply untrue. They all want to work and build better lives for themselves. I know people who have gone onto work in Harrogate’s hospital or as carers or even as mechanics.”

Her plea for people to donate to the Care4Calais emergency appeal comes as the body of 16-year-old Sudanese boy attempting to cross the English Channel was found earlier today.

Henshaws has launched a new fundraising initiative to raise vital funds after experiencing shortfalls it attributes to coronavirus.

Its new Henshaws Hundreds Challenge will begin on September 21. Participants are asked to pick a hundred of any distance they like and get sponsored for it.

It costs £5 to sign up and all fees and sponsors will go to the charity to help support those living with disabilities to build skills and develop confidence. Participants can choose to complete their 100 alone or within a group and are asked to use a mobile app to track their distance.

Gemma Young, Henshaws Fundraising Manager for Yorkshire, said

“Inclusivity is at the heart of the Henshaws Hundreds challenge. It’s possible to cover your chosen distance in a wheelchair, using a walking frame, walking on your hands, or by running, walking swimming or cycling. Plus we hope we’ll also attract a few fun entries with people perhaps skateboarding, hula-hooping, or pogo-sticking their challenge!”

The money raised through the challenge will begin to cover the funds lost during missed fundraising opportunities over lockdown.

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The charity’s recent financial struggles forced it to close its arts and craft centre in Knaresborough and cut its supported living services.

Henshaws was criticised at the time by people whose family members were in the supported living facility who accused the charity of financial mismanagement. The families also said there was a disconnect between upper management and those using the service.

The charity responded to these claims and said:

“These are extremely difficult decisions being taken in exceptional circumstances and our team will continue to support people across Yorkshire in every way we can.”

Harrogate Borough Council has donated £10,000 to Dementia Forward through money it made recycling cremation metals.

The council makes money twice a year through the recycling programme with consent from the bereaved families. It then chooses a different charity for each six-month period.

When a person is cremated the process leaves behind metals from implants like hip and knee replacements as well as from the construction of the coffin.

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Councillor Andy Paraskos, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:

“I’d like to thank those families who, during a difficult time, have consented to us recycling metals recovered. By raising this money, everyone involved has done their bit to helping local charities such as Dementia Forward.”

Jillian Quinn, CEO of Dementia Forward, said:

“We would like to thank Harrogate Borough Council for this very generous donation, which has come at a really important time. Our services are needed more than ever and many of our fund raising events are on hold at the moment. We have extended our help line team and this will keep the service going strong. We rely heavily on local support and we are very grateful.”

A group of Harrogate shops on Otley Road has launched a hamper raffle to try and raise £1,000 for Horticap.

Nicola Jones, the owner of Harlow House and Beauty, has organised the raffle along with other shops on the street.

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All money raised will go towards fitting out Horticap’s new cafe. The charity, which helps adults with learning disabilities, hopes to open it in the next few months.

There are six prizes in total which include vouchers, fruits, beauty treatments, hair treatments and cakes in hampers.

Nicola Jones is the owner at Harlow House of Beauty.

People can buy tickets at £2 a strip from the Wharfedale Fruiterers, Harlow House and Beauty, The Kitchen, The Sandwich Deli and Le Salon.

It has been a difficult few months for Nicola Jones from Harlow House and Beauty after she had to cancel treatments. She told the Stray Ferret:

“The first couple of weeks was great because everyone was desperate to get back and we were approaching August 1 when we were expecting to start with face treatments. But we had a day’s notice to tell us that we actually couldn’t start with those treatments again and we still don’t know what’s happening.”

A woman from Harrogate has organised a golf event at Rudding Park to raise money for Saint Michaels Hospice.

Patricia Blenkinsop decided to start raising money for Saint Michael’s Hospice two years ago after her father was cared for by the team.

The golf competition is just one of a number of events she has organised in the hope of raising money for the charity.

The event, which was supposed to have taken place in April, has been rescheduled for October. Participants will be in teams of four and will complete a round of golf at Rudding Park followed by lunch, a raffle and a silent auction.

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Patricia was also supposed to be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro last month, but due to covid had to rearrange her trek for next June. She told the Stray Ferret:

“The change of date for both events has definitely allowed me more time to fundraise. I was just starting to gear up to really get into training to climb Kilimanjaro and then lockdown came.

“When you’re training to climb the world’s tallest free standing mountain, it is difficult because nowhere in England is that high! All you can do is be as fit as you can.”

Saint Michael’s Hospice offers specialist care and support to people with terminal illnesses.

In 2016, Patricia trekked the Grand Canyon to raise money for the hospice and this year wanted to take on a new challenge. Having got the idea to climb Kilimanjaro a number of years ago when she saw it from the window of a plane, she decided to make it her next target.

The golf event at Rudding Park will take place on October 8. To reserve your team or for more information, email Patricia or visit her JustGiving page.

District charity shops have been overwhelmed with donations from the public, with some having to put an appointment system in place with a three-week wait.

As charity shops have reopened, people have flocked to donation spots, leading the shops to bring in new measures.

Some Oxfam shops have had to introduce appointment slots but, due to high demand, some customers are having to wait to make their donations.

The Oxfam Bookshop in Harrogate remains open for donations during opening hours without an appointment slot.

Walter de Buck, North Yorkshire area manager for Oxfam, said:

“We have three months’ worth of stock coming at once and we have to quarantine it. We are working with lower staffing levels, more donations and some donors are waiting three weeks for an appointment in some shops. We don’t like to say ‘can you bring it another time’ because we need the money these donations bring.

“We have had days with 200-300 bags coming into some shops which causes challenges. We understand it’s not ideal to be told to wait but we’ve not had to do it before. Some donors have been angry or disappointed, but it’s measures that we have to take seriously to ensure the safety of our volunteers.”

Saint Michael’s Hospice has seen huge numbers of donations.

Meanwhile, Saint Michael’s Hospice has had to stop any donations from the public. The drop-off facility will remain closed for 12 days to sort through the high volume of bags it has received.

The chief executive of Saint Michael’s Hospice, Tony Collins, said:

“Over the last 4 weeks we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our community and the huge number of donations received. With items arriving faster than we could distribute them, we had to pause temporarily. Our donation drop-off point will reopen at 10am Monday, August 17.

“The planned launch of booking slots will allow us to continue to take receipt of shop donations from August 17 onwards, whilst adhering to the strictest Covid-19 guidelines for the safety of everyone.”

A Harrogate bereavement and emotional wellbeing charity has been awarded a grant boost of more than £30,000.

Just ‘B’ will use the money to provide workshops and therapy sessions for vulnerable students during the school holidays. Themes covered will include gangs and youth violence, domestic abuse, and digital media risks.

The grant is part of £6.5m from the Youth Endowment Covid-19 Fund and has been offered to 130 organisations across the country. It aims to limit the number of people being drawn into violent crime as well as tackling issues young people have experienced as a result of covid.

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Tony Collins, chief executive of Just ‘B’ said:

“The challenges and hardships that some of our most vulnerable young people face have been exacerbated by covid… we are proud to be one of the organisations chosen for this grant and it will enable us to build on the work we are already doing to help children and young people to overcome difficult circumstances and face a more positive future.”

Just ‘B’ is also calling for the community’s help to win £1m in a charity competition. Persimmon Homes Yorkshire has shortlisted three charities across the county to represent the region in its Building Futures scheme. Voting closes on September 18.

Harrogate has rallied around local charity Horticap to help transform its garden as well as its new cafe and shop ready for the return of students.

The charity helps adults with learning disabilities to train in horticulture and crafts but they have not been able to attend since the start of the coronavirus lockdown.

Coronavirus has been tough for Horticap as it has missed out on key fundraising events. However, the people behind the charity have used it as an opportunity to grow.

The new cafe and shop building at Horticap.

Using a legacy left by a former student of 20 years, Peter Hopkins, Horticap has built a brand new shop and tea room. To go along with the build, the charity planned to flatten the garden and pond but had no funds to get the job done.

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That is where local businesses have come in. Phil Airey, the operations manager at Horticap, has called in all his favours to get the help the charity needs.

“Coronavirus has hit us hard, but it has hit everybody hard. We are very fortunate that people are coming together for us. I have been blown over by it all. There was a point where we didn’t think we could pull it off and then everything came together.”

The garden plans with coronavirus in mind.

The charity has not yet been given the go-ahead to welcome students back but the managers hope that, when they do, they will be able to surprise them with a new garden ready for the students to help with planting.

It will make a big difference to those with physical disabilities as the garden will be made accessible to all. The garden will also have pods for people to sit and enjoy the space.

Nicholas Edward Fryer is overseeing the project. Johnsons of Whixley, New Park Trees, Johnny Clasper, Creation Sculpture, Sherwood Carving, Marshalls, GH Brooks, Castacrete, Plasmor, Millboard, HACS, and Green Tech are all donating time and/or materials.

Horticap was established 35 years ago after the charity bought the land from a farmer. Its patron is Alan Titchmarsh, who is planning to visit the site soon.