QFUTURES Community Fund invests over £189,000 in digital skills and employability across North and East Yorkshire

The QFUTURES Community Fund continues to make an impact across North and East Yorkshire. Thanks to our ongoing partnership with rural broadband provider Quickline, £189,255 has been invested this year to build digital confidence, learn essential skills, and progress in education, training, and employment.

This is the second round of funding from Quickline, and they have supported 12 organisations working in rural communities across the region. Groups in North Yorkshire were able to apply for up to £20,000 over three years, while organisations in East Riding of Yorkshire could apply for up to £15,000 over three years. Multi-year funding gives local organisations the stability to plan ahead, grow their services and create long-term impact in their communities.

Supporting communities in East Yorkshire

In communities across East Yorkshire, the fund focused on improving access to employment and training for people who may face barriers to work or learning. Priority was given to those in underrepresented groups, people affected by neurodiversity, and women and girls.

In Bridlington, Bridlington Seasider CIC is delivering the DandI Employability, Life Skills and Training Hub, offering tailored mentoring, small group learning and practical work‑based experiences for people with learning disabilities or difficulties. This project is creating accessible, community-based opportunities for people in Bridlington and the surrounding rural areas to develop essential life and employability skills in a supportive and familiar environment.

Across the East Riding, Humber Job Hub CIC is running a six‑week ‘Pathways’ employability programme for neurodivergent young people. Through workshops, one‑to‑one coaching and practical skills training, the team helps participants prepare for work while removing barriers that may get in the way.

Environmental skills are also being championed through Riverlution by RSC CIC, whose East Riding Waterways Future Skills programme offers hands‑on training and river stewardship activities for people in the Hornsea and Bridlington areas.

Children and young people facing disadvantage are being supported by Run With It, who deliver real world learning activities in community and workplace settings. Their sessions help young people build employability, life and academic skills, raise aspirations and take steps towards education, training and future employment.

Southern Holderness Resource Centre, in Withernsea, is offering a community based employability and vocational programme, including accredited training, work experience and volunteering pathways. They offer coaching that helps people overcome barriers such as low confidence and isolation.

Kyra Women’s Project is running a pop-up life skills for employment project in Beverley, supporting those who face barriers to returning to work across East Yorkshire.

Supporting communities in North Yorkshire

In North Yorkshire, the fund is supporting organisations working together to strengthen resilience, build connections and respond to shared challenges. The priority for this fund is projects that support climate action, underrepresented and neurodiverse people.

In rural Nidderdale, Bloom Creative Wellbeing CIC are delivering a co-designed creative wellbeing project for neurodivergent adults, as well as general creative activities to support wellbeing.

Women across the county are being supported by another of Kyra Women’s Projects through NeuroHub, an online programme offering gender-specific, trauma-informed neurodiversity support. Impact is being delivered through online courses, peer support, workshops, and 1:1 sessions that build self-awareness, confidence, emotional regulation, and practical life skills.

Environmental action is being strengthened by North York Moors National Park Trust, who are working with the Esk & Coastal Streams Catchment Partnership to deliver STEM activities that bring people together around shared environmental action to build climate resilience.

In Whitby and Ryedale, Pizza Pals Community Pizzeria CIC is creating a dedicated role to strengthen partnerships and develop inclusive, community initiatives for underrepresented groups, including neurodivergent people. Their activities and events will amplify local voices and create meaningful opportunities for young people who are not in education or training.

Revival North Yorkshire CIC is delivering Revival Rural Roots, an intergenerational project using visual storytelling to connect young adults and older residents together through a community-focused creative hub.

And in Settle, Settle Community and Business Hub CIC is strengthening community resilience through partnerships focused on food security, volunteering and inclusive engagement. Their activities support people with learning difficulties or neurodiversity to build skills, reduce isolation and prepare for future challenges.

Speaking about the grants awarded, Thomas Waring, Head of Grants, said:

“It’s been amazing to see how the QFUTURES Community Fund is helping rural organisations turn improved connectivity into real opportunities. These grants give people the chance to build digital confidence, develop new skills and feel more connected to education, training and employment. It’s a reminder of how vital digital inclusion is for every community, no matter how rural.”

Rachel Bowerman, Social Values Manager, said:

“We’re incredibly proud to support such a diverse range of organisations through the QFUTURES Community Fund. Each one is rooted in its local community and understands the challenges people face in rural communities across Yorkshire. From digital skills and employability support to creative wellbeing, climate action and inclusive learning, these projects show just how powerful local organisations can be when they have the right support behind them. We’re delighted that Quickline can play a part in helping them create lasting opportunities for people across North and East Yorkshire.”

Applications for QFUTURES Community Fund are currently closed, but to find out more about the fund and the grants made, please visit: tworidingscf.org.uk.