Knaresborough’s 1,000-home estate with no community facilitiesGuide: Free warm spaces in the Harrogate districtKnaresborough community centre under new ownership

A community centre in Knaresborough is under new ownership.

Inspire Youth Yorkshire, a charity providing independent youth support in the Harrogate district, has taken over the former Balance Wellness Centre (Yorkshire Yoga) building and has created a community hub.

The centre on Halfpenny Close was taken over by the charity in the last few weeks after the Balance Wellness Centre struggled to recover after Covid. The space is now open as a fully accessible Hub for all ages.

The charity was established in 2019 and offers people aged 8-18 across the Harrogate and surrounding areas support and a chance to engage in activities.

The centre still houses the wellness centre but is focussing on youth provision. It has spaces for treatments, therapies and classes and wellness activities including Yoga, Tai Chi and Dance.

Jess Ward, CEO and founder of Inspire Youth Yorkshire, said:

“The space will continue as a community building it will just be overseen by us and we are going to develop our youth provision elements. We have had some renovations to do including fixing a leaking roof.

“The centre had been underused, but it can offer a good, positive, accessible space for young people. We are an open access centre so it doesn’t matter about your background or needs we provide opportunities and activities and create a sense of belonging.”

The centre is free to attend with some activities charging a small fee to go towards the upkeep of the space. The charity relies on grants and funding from the local community.

Inspire Youth Yorkshire plans to develop their offering to open a senior youth club, martial arts, boxing and a sensory space.

Ms Ward began Inspire Youth Yorkshire after seeing the lack of provision for young people in the area. As a mother and part of the Knaresborough community she set out to provide what she felt the town was missing

Jess Ward CEO and founder of Inspire Youth Yorkshire

She added:

“Inspire Youth Yorkshire wants to keep young people safe and offer a space with trusted adults who provide meaningful experiences and opportunities that allow young people to grow.”

“We also offer support for families, often a new hobby or sport can be a big commitment and a financial strain meaning young people can miss out on opportunities, we want to provide these chances and create a community space.”

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First glimpse at ‘exciting’ plans for Boroughbridge community centre

Plans for a new community centre in Boroughbridge have been unveiled as the town looks to serve its growing population.

Boroughbridge Town Council is behind the proposals for near the car park on Back Lane. It has asked residents to fill in a survey before May 14 to determine demand.

Such a project has been debated for many years. The council has said that it is now starting to become more of a reality.

While there is no timescale or cost just yet, the council hopes that government will help to fund it.

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The plans include a small sports hall, community event room, kitchen, public toilets, a new home for the council and tourist information point.

Boroughbridge Town Council has promised to build it in an eco-friendly, energy efficient way and also to not lose car parking spaces.

Cllr Peter Phillips, who has been working on the plans for the past year, told the Stray Ferret:

“Boroughbridge is a rapidly expanding community due to the accelerated home building programme in our area.

“Our population is expected to almost double over the next few years and we have no central community facility to cater for this.

“We need to ensure that these proposals are indeed what our community wishes to have.

“There are some fears and concerns which are fully understandable, but overall the feedback so far looking at around 80% in favour.”

Coronavirus clinic to open at Harrogate community centre

A coronavirus clinic will open in a Harrogate community centre next week and will be in place until January next year.

The Jennyfield Styan Community Centre in Grantley Drive will enable those with coronavirus or symptoms to see a GP face-to-face.

Currently, patients with covid-19 who need an in person appointment attend their own surgery.

While other surgeries have strict safety measures in place, doctors have been pushing for a dedicated site.

GPs and part-time doctors will begin seeing patients next week between 12pm and 6pm on Mondays to Fridays.

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Appointments will alternate between the two rooms, enabling a deep clean between each patient.

Patients will be asked to wait in their vehicle on arrival, wear a face covering and keep hands sanitised, before they are escorted to the appointment.

If the patient requires medication then they will get an electronic prescription sent directly to the patient’s usual pharmacy.

NHS North Yorkshire CCG and the Yorkshire Health Network secured the community centre from Harrogate Borough Council.

The CCG’s clinical chair, Dr Charles Parker, said:

“This additional capacity will be of enormous benefit to practices. It will help ensure surgeries can continue to meet the demands of a busy winter period.”

Councillor Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“Jennyfield Styan Community Centre plays a vital part of the community for so many, and now more than ever.

“I hope the NHS can make use of the facility and provide much needed GP appointments for those that so desperately need them.”