National Lottery cash helps community workshop open its doors in North Yorkshire village

Chairman of Bentham Town Council Gareth Adams, Housing 21 resident Keith, Housing and Care Manager Victoria, and Housing 21 resident Graham, at the official opening ceremony.

A community workshop has officially opened its doors in Bentham.

Yew and Me community workshop opened its doors at Bowland View this week.

The workshop, funded by the National Lottery, is designed to provide a creative, hands-on space where residents can come together to build, create, and form lasting connections.

The initiative is primarily aimed at addressing a social gap in the area, particularly for men who may not typically engage in more conventional activities such as bingo or knitting groups.

The workshop offers a welcoming environment where individuals can explore their hobbies, learn new skills, and share experiences in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere.

Resident and committee chairman Keith said: “When I first moved into Bowland View I gave a lot of my tools away, a sacrifice I made to downsize and access Extra Care housing, however, I really missed my workshop. Yew and Me workshop will provide a space for residents and the community of all creative backgrounds to express and share their skills.”

In addition to being a space for Bowland View residents, the workshop will also collaborate with local community groups, offering opportunities to bring people together and engage in meaningful projects that benefit the wider community.

Resident and committee member Graham said: “We have worked tirelessly to get the workshop up and running. Keith had a vision and with a lot of hard work, begging and borrowing we’ve been able to turn vision into a reality."

The grand opening featured the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by the mayor Gareth Adams, and the residents came together to celebrate the success of the project.

Victoria Tallon, Local Housing Manager at Bowland View, said: “We’re thrilled to see the completion of this workshop, which is so much more than just a physical space – it’s a hub for building relationships and fostering community spirit.

“We hope this will encourage more people to get involved, especially those who may have previously felt disconnected from other social activities.”

To find out more about Bowland View, visit the website at https://www.housing21.org.uk/our-properties/search-our-properties/bowland-view/

Housing 21 is a not-for-profit, leading national provider of Extra Care and Retirement Living for older people of modest means. They manage more than 24,000 properties, providing more than 49,000 hours of social care each week.