Since 2024, Skipton Step Into Action has been working alongside residents in the communities of Greatwood and Broughton Road, listening to what matters to them and working closely with local people, local organisations and partners to understand what is important to people, to help support better access to health and wellbeing opportunities. 

Community Health Connector

Our Community Health Connector has worked directly with residents to identify the issues that are most important to them, including practical barriers that can affect health and wellbein

g such as access to transport, cost of living pressures, confidence in navigating services, and opportunities to reduce isolation. This listening-led approach has helped shape the way we work and strengthened local connections between residents, services and community organisations.

We have collaborated with a range of local partners including: Yorkshire Housing, Greatwood & Horseclose Community Centre, North Yorkshire Council, Broughton Road Community Centre, Keighley Healthy Living as well as other VCSE organisations across Skipton, local schools, GP practices and other statutory services. 

What this work has involved

Through our Community Support & Engagement Work, we have:

• Held regular drop-ins at community centres (Broughton Rd & Greatwood) offering a welcoming space where people can talk, ask questions and find out about local support.
• Supported activities that help people make positive, practical changes in their day-to-day lives and feel more confident managing their own health, including linking residents to stop-smoking support, healthy and affordable cooking sessions, and promoting local wellbeing programmes such as ‘Eat, Move Be Happy’
• Facilitated community event days, bringing together fun activities with opportunities to meet local services and find out more about what is available.
• Worked alongside individuals to help them access and connect with services, providing signposting and practical support where needed.
• Advocated on behalf of individuals and the community to local organisations where issues or barriers have been identified.
• Supported the Friends of Greatwood network – for interested residents to share information about upcoming activities, volunteer to support events and feedback opinions on community needs.
• Supported the Ladies Network group which meets monthly at GWCC..

Supporting community-led ideas

Through our small grants programme, we have been able to support local residents and small community groups to develop and run their own activities. This funding has enabled people to run groups that reflect local interests and needs, including:

• Women’s woodworking group
• Affordable cooking – a sociable group to learn new skills
• Community Bingo group
• Guided wellbeing walks

These initiatives have helped build confidence, and strengthen community connections by putting local people at the heart of activity planning and delivery.

If you would like more information about this Community Engagement work, please get in touch – call 01756 802 098 or contact Joanna Mitchell at jmitchell@ssia.org.uk.