Ripon Voluntary Service Needs Your Help

Currently a wide range of essential services are being lost due to cuts in funding to local councils from the government, because of this a crucial Ripon Council for Voluntary Service(CVS) project will be coming to an end in March, unless money can be raised to fund it.

The CVS Family Support Project which operates in Ripon, Boroughbridge and Pateley Bridge, provides help and support for families who are unable to find suitable assistance from other agencies. This service is led by Liz Copas who has dedicated a lot of time and effort helping local families in times of need, with the project providing a lifeline for those who are most vulnerable in our local area. Liz Copas and her team of volunteers provide full support for parents and children who require practical and emotional help with issues they are dealing with such as child protection, homelessness, family breakdown, illness and debt management. Working closely with families the support workers can identify where extra help and support is needed and work with other agencies and support networks to provide the assistance families need.

The CVS Family Support Project has helped any people in the local area, yet there will be many more that won’t get the help they desperately need if this service is lost, which is why a funding appeal is being launched to save this service. It currently costs just £16,000 a year to run the CVS Family Support Project, which may seem like a lot, but in actual fact equates to less than £1 per inhabitant of Ripon. The appeal has been launched by Mayoress Denise Bolland, to try and raise the money before Ripon and the surrounding area lose this vital service. The ex Mayor, Stuart Martin who is Chair of the CVS has already enlisted the help of local schools in the area to start the fund raising with Moorside Junior school offering to give half of the money they will raise by a non uniform day for Red Nose on March 18th. Greystones School has also pledged to raise money with a non uniform day and Ripon Cathedral School has also offered its support to raise funds. However much more help is still needed, which is why we are asking the people of Ripon and the surrounding area for support to keep this much needed service, no matter how small your contribution.

If you wish to donate, cheques can be made payable to Ripon CVS stating that the money is for The Family Support Appeal, you can also support the appeal with the benefit of Gift Aid or on a long term basis by picking up a form from the Ripon Community house or have one sent to you. Additionally you can drop a pound or whatever you can afford into the buckets provided at the reception of the Community House, Tiffin’s cafe or the Mayors Parlour in the Town Hall, for contact details or to find out more please visit the CVS website www.riponcvs.co.uk. Additionally if any business or organisation would like to have a collection bucket to support the appeal you should contact Stuart Martin on 07811390448.