What We Do
We run a variety of friendly groups, social events, and online activities designed to bring individuals together, offer companionship, and provide a break for carers.
To join, please register your interest (make a referral) for another using the online form. Come along, try something new, and be part of a warm and welcoming community.
Volunteer Visiting Service
Our volunteering visiting service provides companionship for carers, those they care for, and people living alone.
The volunteer services provides social and emotional support. The visit can be an hour or two every week or fortnight, depending on the individual, usually consisting of a cup of tea and a chat.
Visits (especially in the summer if the older person is mobile) could be outside of the home, such as at a local tea room.
Carers Support Groups
Looking after someone you love can be rewarding, but it can also feel overwhelming. Our Carers Support Groups provide a safe, friendly space to share experiences, have a cuppa, and connect with others who truly understand.
- Whitby Carers – Last Tuesday of the month, Whitby, refreshment donation requested.
- Ryedale Carers (Pickering) – Last Tuesday of the month, £4 Suggested donation (Includes cuppa and cake)
Ryedale Walking Group
Usually the last Tuesday of the month, 10am–2pm
Take a breath of fresh air and recharge your batteries with a 3–5 mile walk around Ryedale’s beautiful countryside.
Carers and those they care for are welcome — volunteers come along too, offering support so everyone can join safely. For carers, this can also mean some valuable time for a break while their loved one enjoys the walk.
In the colder months, walks may be shorter and sometimes finish with a pub lunch. Just bring suitable clothing and a packed lunch. We’ll meet you at a pre-arranged point and make sure you get home again afterwards.
Tea & Tunes
Quarterly on Tuesdays, 2–4pm at a local venue.
An uplifting musical and social afternoon with live performances from local bands and singers. Everything from brass and folk to ukulele groups and popular classics.
Alongside the music, there’s time to catch up with friends, enjoy a slice of cake and a cuppa, and simply share in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Transport can be arranged if needed, so no one has to miss out.
Suggested donation £4
Common Threads
Common Threads is a joint project run between Whitby School 6th Form and Caring Together North Yorkshire and Wilmott Dixon Construction.
5 or 6 clients from the charity and 5 or 6 pupils meet up on a Wednesday afternoon at the school to share knowledge and experience on various topics.
The motive for starting these sessions was to get the two generations to mix and better understand one other. Many students do not interact with older people except their own families, and some elderly people never speak to teenagers. This was a way of making connections and breaking down barriers.
Past Sessions
The areas covered so far are;
Session 1
Memory Bags and Getting to know you session
Session 2
Money Matters; budgeting, energy-saving
Session 3
Digital Basics and Scam Awareness
Session 4
History of the Whitby Gazette– using film archives and old newspapers from the museum
Future Sessions
Session 5
Creative Make and Mend – reducing waste
Session 6
Show and Tell – bring an object to share with the group
Lythe Farmers’ Brunch
1st Wednesday of the month – Lythe Village Hall
Created in response to rural isolation and loneliness, the Farmers’ Breakfast brings people together each month for a warm and welcoming morning.
Enjoy a bacon butty, tea, coffee, and a chat, along with visits from engaging guest speakers and organisations such as PCSOs, the fire service, social prescribers, and partner charities.
Our dedicated volunteers provide transport, companionship, and a friendly ear, ensuring even those in remote villages can join in.
Suggested donation – £4
Past Sessions
Activities have ranged from; Underground explorations of the former Skinningrove Ironstone works, to a behind the scenes tour of Scampston Hall’s private rooms to see how the ‘other half’ live, to a talk given by a former producer of The Archers, to making our own bird boxes ending with a Christmas session shared with pupils from the Lythe Village School.
The Jewells of Whitby
Peter Craggs
Featured local landmarks and history.
Whitby Gazette
Debbie Hogarth
Scarbourough to Whitby Railway
Neil Williamson
A great presentation that was interactive and enjoyable. Particulary seeing all of the old photos and the history aspect, which brought back a lot of memories.
Fishermans Ganseys
Deb Gillandes
This again, brought back memories for people and they enjoyed sharing stories of their own Ganseys and learning about the patterns and and the stories attached to them.
Levisham and Lockton Hand Bells Making music with the bells. It was a vibrant morning and brought a lot of cheers.
MoneyMinds
A talk on frauds and scams. A very interactive session and very much needed for our clients.
Whitby Fisherfolk Brunch
Last Friday of the month – Kirkham Close Community Centre
A monthly gathering with a maritime spirit! The Fisherfolk Breakfast is a chance to connect with friends old and new over a bacon butty and a cuppa.
Each session features a guest speaker or entertainer to keep things lively and interesting. As with the Farmers’ Breakfast, our volunteers are on hand to provide transport and companionship, helping those who might otherwise feel isolated to join in.
Suggested donation – £4
Online Events
Virtual Walks
Monthly on Tuesday afternoons, 2–3pm on Zoom
Explore the beauty of the North York Moors without leaving home. Led by a knowledgeable volunteer from the National Park, these sessions combine beautiful scenery with interesting stories and friendly chat.
A lovely way to feel part of nature with Zoom support available if needed.
Tuesday Tunes
Monthly on Tuesday afternoons, 2–3pm on Zoom
Live music brought to your living room! Featuring folk, popular, instrumental, and ukulele performances, with time for a friendly chat between sets.
Perfect if you enjoy music and prefer to join from the comfort of home. Help with Zoom is available.
Events Calendar
Take a look at our upcoming events calendar below. If you’d like to book onto any forthcoming events, please register your interest.
