North Craven in the Community

12th July 2024

‘Being part of the community is important as you learn how others are feeling and it’s how people connect!’ (quote from young person in Bentham)

Children and young people having a sense of belonging is a huge part of SELFA as a charity and something we are constantly working towards. Working to help the community and create a larger support network can be very rewarding and gives children and young people a sense of achievement and ownership over their actions.

The Bentham primary group have spent time at the Community Allotment over the last two summers learning how to grow and harvest their own produce. The group chose to grow things like sweet peas, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, herbs and strawberries and were amazed by the things they were able to dig up last year.

The children said

‘It’s fun to be with friends in nature’ (Child aged 8)

‘We grew lots of different vegetables, some I hadn’t heard of before’ (Child aged 7)

‘We got to dig them up at the end’ (Child aged 9)

Learning through Field to Fork has been a great experience for the group and we can’t thank the Bentham Community Allotment team enough for allowing us to use the space. This year, although we haven’t been down as much as we would have liked, we have had the opportunity to plant and enjoy the benefits of being outside.  We have looked at the impact fresh air and gardening has on mental well-being and applied this to our own lives. This summer we hope to create a bug hotel. Watch This Space!

This year the Settle Primary group have been lucky enough to get involved with the Settle Flower Pot display. For those that don’t know, this is the largest display of flower pots in the UK and it takes place in Settle every summer. There are over 300 different designs that are displayed all over the town.  The group got their craft on and created the most amazing bugs ready to be hung in one of Settle’s shop windows. See if you can spot them – and tag us on our social media if you do!

Thank you to the Settle Flower Pot committee for giving up their time to run a workshop to help us put them together. The children really enjoyed learning new skills and working together to make the buggiest of bugs! They were very proud of themselves and can’t wait to show their families.

‘I enjoyed using the ties to clip them together, mine was really bright’ (Child aged 5)

‘I wanted a butterfly because you can make their wings pretty’ (Child aged 7)

‘My spider matches my friends’ (Child aged 6)

Here’s a sneak peak of our creation!!

From planting to painting both North craven primary groups have thrived through the chance to get involved in their own communities!

SELFA receives multi-year funding thanks to local family firm

22nd April 2024

The St James’s Place Foundation have supported SELFA with a grant of £30,000 over 3 years towards activities for children in North Craven. 

The Foundation funds small and medium sized charities across the UK and overseas working with children who are disadvantaged physically, socially, or economically. They are supported by the staff and advisers of St. James’s Place (SJP), who help raise funds and build relationships with smaller charities such as SELFA who can substantially benefit from their funding which will have a significant and long-term impact within communities.

The funding came about as a result of the relationship SELFA has with Pentelow Wealth Management, a local family firm and founding Partner of SJP, who are deeply embedded in the community they serve.

At a local-level SJP office, Pentelow Wealth Management are free to donate small amounts to charities of their choice, which is where their support of SELFA originated from. They also supported SELFA’s application for a larger grant which are given out centrally by the Charitable Foundation and are designed for longer term projects.

Emma Pentelow, Managing Partner of Pentelow Wealth Management said “From our founding days we have looked beyond ourselves to make a difference to those less fortunate, committed to driving positive community impact, building social capital within communities. In addition to providing financial support to charities and causes, we also encourage our employees to volunteer their time, skills, and expertise – this initiative saw the whole team from Pentelow Wealth Management spending the day at SELFA decorating two of the classrooms.”

Emma Pears, SELFA’s Chief Officer said “We are so thankful to Emma and the team at Pentelow Wealth Management for all the support they have given SELFA over the years: from helping us redecorate our premises; sorting out our garden; and buying us toys and equipment; the team are always so willing to help in any way they can. To be put forward for a grant from the SJP was fantastic, the fact that it was multi-year funding was even better; enabling us to plan for the future and meet the needs of our most rurally isolated children and young people.”

Pentelow Wealth Management SELFA Day video: – https://youtu.be/kw34AOTI8oc?si=r_LFLX28BWFf7ZH7