As part of the early intervention & prevention agenda the Council have invested in asset based approaches that support citizens to stay strong, healthy and to contribute to society.  Examples of this include Local Area Coordination, Community Facilitators and the Ways to Wellbeing Service operated by York CVS. The staff concerned meet regularly to ensure a joined up approach, networking and peer support. The initiatives reflect the Council’s community operating model and alignment of asset based working and ‘Future Focus’. 

 Community Facilitators

The well established and respected Community Facilitators, Sue Reape and June Peacock are less ‘place based’ and are able to work with anyone who lives in the City of York Council area to help promote their health and wellbeing through community inclusion and participation, helping to reduce isolation and loneliness and build up community assets and connections. That could be a young person with learning difficulties or disability, someone with a long term health condition, an older person who is feeling isolated or any adult who is vulnerable and needs help to get their lives back on track. Sue & June are able to respond to opportunities through the development of ‘strategic’ projects and interventions.

They offer advice, information and guidance to individuals (and their families and support workers) about community opportunities, events and activities, support networks and services and enable groups to build their own ‘in house’ community information resources.

The Facilitators also apply an Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach to help build up social capital, community networks, activities and information points.  Sue & June work by building connections with residents and partners eg VCS groups, council teams and other organisations.

The Facilitators can be contacted by telephone and email. They also hold ‘Information Exchange’ sessions where people are welcome to drop in and chat, alongside appointments.

ACEcommunityfacilitators@york.gov.uk 01904 554097/4078

susan.reape@york.gov.uk 07833 049036  june.peacock@york.gov.uk 07833 049018

In summary the Community Facilitators operate across the city, developing projects alongside communities, alongside supporting individuals, reflecting need.

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