York Committee Introduction to the York Committee

Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) is a registered housing association and care provider in York and North East England, working with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) to inspire social change JRF and JRHT share the same vision: A prosperous UK without poverty JRF mission: To inspire action and change to solve UK poverty JRHT mission: To build and develop strong empowered communities without poverty or isolation JRHT working towards a more outcomes focused approach. The 3 main outcomes linking to the work of the York Committee are: More people are independent and well More people are shaping our communities More people can improve their prospects

York Committee – the basics Grants of up to £10,000 to local voluntary and community groups working with people experiencing or affected by poverty Current funding priorities: To increase and better co-ordinate access to benefits advice, debt advice, support with developing financial capability, and information and advocacy for those in or at risk of poverty To increase local community-based activity to prevent and reduce isolation where poverty is a barrier or contributing factor Membership: Six external members of the Committee, Two Trustees, JRHT Deputy Director Supported by three JRHT staff; Partnerships Manager (Communities), Community Grants Support Officer and an external Adviser Four meetings per year - three grant rounds, one session to reflect and learn

York Committee – Funder Plus Building better relationships, increase JRHT’s contribution, learning and impact in York. Commissioned support to improve the quality of work experienced by people in the city. Money Matters  - financial skills for organisations Share and support sessions – bringing grantees together Governance Hub – surgeries to improve governance Fundraising training for early years sector   Leadership Development Programme – investing in key skills and leaders for sustainability in the Advice Sector

York Committee – The Advisory Group York Committee Advisory Group Working with people who have or are experiencing difficulties with the cost of living, to improve the quality of grant making Members recruited via partner organisations within the voluntary and community sector Advisory Group supported to consider summary versions of applications, and offer thoughts and advice to the Committee Piloted Autumn 2017, working with real applications since February 2018

York Committee – impact Study of 23 grants, average value £4k and engaging 5661 people: Reaching people who are experiencing poverty, or have poverty related needs, in the city Contributing towards improved outcomes for many people in the city. Improved wellbeing, particularly in terms of mental health Better social connectivity, and therefore reduced social isolation Progression, in terms of skills, volunteering and entry to education and employment Improved access to information Increased income Benefits for grantee organisations - improved understanding of client experience, growth, partnership development and improved influence Good alignment with JRHT outcomes

York Committee – Building Relationships Strategic links and contacts Practitioner networks and promotion Our ear to the ground! Richard Helen Angela Key relationships: York CVS –quarterly meetings with the Chief Executive; attend regular forum meetings; CVS Chief Executive is a Committee member City of York Council –Local Area Co-ordination team; Head of Early Help and Local Area Teams is a Committee member Local infrastructure support agencies, e.g. Beware of the Bull, Outsource, Social Vision Other funders – ‘York Funders Network’ – important for us as a network of funders to understand what the city-wide needs are and how our work can help to address these needs (e.g. poverty, health and well-being, social isolation, etc)

Interested in applying?... Do you have an idea that could help to solve poverty and disadvantage in York? *Please note the next deadline is likely to be mid-December 2018 (date is yet to be confirmed); applicants applying in December will be notified in February 2019* We welcome discussions about potential project ideas and encourage you to contact Helen Robinson, Community Grants Support Officer prior to submitting an application. Helen can be contacted on: T: 01904 615939 E: helen.robinson@jrht.org.uk