Category Archives: Information sources

If you need help, do you know ‘where to turn’?

News from Harrogate and Ripon Centre for Volunteer Services

Recent reports have shown that social connections are as important as money and health. If you know someone who would like a bit of support or company, to get out and about or meet new friends, we can help find Where to Turn with HARCVS Where to Turn directory of voluntary organisations

Exciting News for 2016
We are currently working to develop and refresh our Where To Turn Directory to provide a more comprehensive and fully searchable online database of community organisations, activities and services for people in Harrogate District.

Rain! Rain! Rain! It’s so depressing

Whether it’s the post-Christmas blues, or the short daylight hours, many of us can feel a bit ‘down’, particularly after the weather we’ve been having. We can all do with a boost from time to time and a visit to your local library might provide the answer. ‘Reading Well Mood-boosting Books is a national promotion of uplifting titles, including novels, poetry and non-fiction’. There are general mood-boosting books, as well as those recommended for people who have cancer (although the books themselves may not be about cancer, but have been rated as uplifting). For further details about the Reading Well scheme follow this link or visit your local library and pick up a flyer.

A Practical Guide to Healthy Ageing

NHS England, in partnership with Age UK, has published a revised version of A Practical Guide to Healthy Ageing. The guide is particularly relevant for people aged around 70 years who may be suffering from mild frailty. It covers key areas including preventing falls, staying well in winter, eye and foot care and mental well-being. The revised version includes cognitive ageing, oral health, bereavement and social isolation, with suggestions on when to seek medical advice and support. Free copies of the guide can be ordered by services and older people by calling 0300 123 1002 quoting reference HA2, or via the DH orderline Also listed on our ‘Publications’ page on the Information Hub’

Citizens’ Advice Bureau has changed to ‘Citizens’ Advice’

Citizens’ Advice provides free impartial and confidential advice about a variety of issues including housing, money benefits and employment.

Opening times for drop-ins:
Harrogate: Mon – Weds and Friday 9.30am – 12noon
Ripon: Mon, Thurs and Fri 10.30am – 1pm.
Find out more at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/cravenandharrogatedistrictscab

Need advice about caring for someone following discharge from hospital?

Carers UK has produced a new factsheet which provides clear, up-to-date information for carers who are looking after someone who is coming out of hospital.

The factsheet outlines carers’ rights during the discharge procedure, the steps that should be followed when a person being cared for is discharged, and what to do if things go wrong. The information has been fully updated following the implementation of the Care Act 2014.

Is it time to learn something new?

It’s that time of year, again ….. time to think about learning a new skill, or a new language or just to exercise the ‘little grey cells’. The adult learning prospectuses are now available. Pop into your local library for details of courses in your area, or follow these links.

IT skills courses at Harrogate library Adult learning at Rossett School

Hate crime reporting helpline in North Yorkshire

Stop Hate UK provides a 24 hour 7 days a week access to an independent and confidential helpline to aid victims and witnesses of hostility based on personal identity to report incidents, access advice and support and, when consent is given, provide referrals to both the police and other agencies throughout North Yorkshire.

The service can be accessed by Phone, Text, Text-Relay, Email, Online Form, Webchat and BSL interpreted reporting.The main telephone contact point is 0800 138 1625, for details of other access options, follow this link

Update: The North Yorkshire Hate Crime Report 2015 is available on our ‘Publications‘ page.

New mediation service

IARCH is now an independent charity and provides services throughout Harrogate District and neighbouring areas of Yorkshire.

ARCH continues to provide neighbour mediation at no cost to all residents of the Harrogate District and now also provides mediation for young people and families (intra-family) and the various forms of commercial mediation – including family, employment & workplace, property, education, financial services and professional negligence.

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Remap – aids and equipment for people with disabilities

Remap is a charity which produces aids and equipment for people with disabilities where there are no suitable commercial alternatives. This service is provided free of charge to the client, and is delivered entirely by volunteers.