Hundreds of grants support rural communities 

November 9, 2022

Grassroots groups and organisations in rural communities have received almost £200,000 in support since 2016 thanks to our Yorkshire Dales community grants programme!

This year we have funded projects that bring real benefits to communities following the pandemic, including many that focus on sustainability and the climate.

We were delighted to support the Incredible Edible food-growing group in Skipton with a grant for their community orchard…

Incredible Edible’s community orchard

Skipton-based Incredible Edible is a voluntary food growing community group that aims to transform unused or derelict spaces into places that grow food for anyone in the community to pick, for free.

Their Community Grant from YDMT helped to support their work at a community orchard in Skipton, planted in early 2020. Originally funded by Skipton Council, volunteers planted 30 fruit trees on Middletown Recreation Ground just before lockdown, with the intention of the public being able to access the site, enjoy its produce and improve biodiversity. Incredible Edible took over its maintenance not long afterwards bringing together volunteers and the community to be involved in a local food system which is nature rich and empowering.

Looking after green spaces is also an excellent way for people to boost their wellbeing and health.

Incredible Edible’s Oliva McEwan said:

“We were so pleased to receive a community grant for the newly planted community orchard in Skipton. It enabled us to buy tools and materials to look after the orchard, create signage and hold some events around the fruit produced. So far, we’ve had a wonderful open day where we pressed lots of apples from around Skipton.”

The group has also installed and maintained raised beds in three separate areas around Skipton with the idea that anyone in the community can pick the vegetables growing and take them home. They have also transformed an overgrown allotment into a community food growing hub. Here they store tools, raise seedlings, grow a range of vegetables, and hold regular volunteer sessions and events throughout the year.

Yorkshire Dales Community Grants

Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust offers small grants, a simple and painless application process and lots of support and advice, so successful applicants can have the funds to start making a difference in their local community straight away. Find out more about Community Grants.