Good Neighbours collaboration to strengthen services amid financial challenges
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Ilkley and District Good Neighbours reveals its plans to continue helping the community as charities face financial challenges.
As it emerges from its 50th anniversary year the charity has announced a new collaboration with the Clarke Foley Community Hub to help build on its services for the community’s older residents.
The pilot scheme was launched at the Hub with a special colourful event supported by Cosmos Flowers, The Ilkley Baker and Balloon World with entertainment provided by a local pianist.
Established in 1975, the charity has helped thousands of its older and more vulnerable local people with its range of social and practical schemes over the past five decades.
Ilkley and District Good Neighbours Chairman Ed Duguid said:
“As we are aware these are difficult financial times, and many charities like ours are now having to deal with funding challenges. We are however determined that we will continue throughout 2026 to deliver our important services to the community, and to be there for those who feel lonely, isolated and who need a neighbourly helping hand.
“We certainly won’t be standing still. We’ll build on our services such as the one-to-one Befriending and Shop Assist projects, despite the loss of funding from the district council, and will also continue with our Friendship Group which has proved to be incredibly popular and which I’m pleased to say the council continues to fund.
“The exciting new pilot partnership with the Clarke Foley will bring our offices and services to the hub and, along with the activities already provided by the University of 3rd Age, will provide a one-stop shop for our senior citizens. And of course, our Dementia Hub and Cafes in Ilkley and Addingham will be there to support those who are living with dementia and also those who care for them.”
The charity confirmed that going forward it will also continue to provide the popular social events it has become known for, which includes day trip excursions to the Dales, visits to the theatre, Christmas lunches, Christmas gifts delivered to clients’ homes by volunteers and IGS students, and a range of charity events, including the bracing White Wells Plunge Pool Dip which raised money for the charity last year.
Ed added:
“The only change we’re making is to our Shop and Drop service, unfortunately we lost the council’s financial support for this a year ago, but we’ve managed to carry on until now dipping into our charity funds. However, with a drop in referrals, along with other funding priorities, it’s no longer sustainable. Our other projects are of course unaffected by the change and our team of great volunteers is looking forward to providing the help in the community that’s needed as we enter our next half century.”
If you would like to make a donation to Ilkley and District Good Neighbours, please contact 01943 609906 or goodneighboursilkley.org.