What's The Background?

The world around us has changed dramatically both nationally and locally…

• Twenty years ago, our charity was created and funded to stimulate tourism. Now, fewer towns are lucky enough to have a Tourist Information Point. Those that do, generate additional income to sustain it – we will continue this, but it takes time and lots of volunteers. Technology changes mean new ways of providing the info are needed too.
• Changes in technology, lack of transport, reduced services (like Banks and Post Office), the high cost of housing and fewer young families in the area – had an impact that continues to ripple out through our rural community, from loneliness to difficulty accessing health services and falling school numbers.
• The shift to a single North Yorkshire Council, and a new Mayor with new priorities, means it’s all change, and MCO needs to keep on top of what’s going on. It’s the only way to ensure Masham doesn’t miss out, but it takes a lot of time keeping up with changes.
• Last year we consulted residents, community groups and businesses to establish what Masham’s priorities were. Now we have your feedback, we need to try to deliver.
• Covid was a huge challenge, and with the help of many new volunteers, MCO took on many new activities (including the creation of this community newsletter), to support our community and help keep everyone connected.
• Now, it’s proven that getting people involved, out and about, keeping them stimulated, connected and informed, all help prevent isolation, improve quality of life and reduce health issues such as dementia and many others. All very logical, but the even better news is, keeping people healthy for longer helps them maintain an active independent life in their own homes and saves them and the Health Service money in the long run.
• That’s why our e-newsletters, social media and website, our wellbeing walks, digital support, minibus trips, prescription and shopping collections, Community Library and jigsaws and 2nd hand books are so valuable. That’s also why North Yorkshire Council has continued to provide a level of funding to support us in these important endeavours.
• The more regulated, technology driven world we live in, makes it harder for individuals to feel able to do something off their own bat to make a difference. We’re only small, but as a charity, we are used to regulations, so maybe we can help? Whether it’s advice on how to get a new idea off the ground, a funding application for your group, or help connecting your group with other similar groups, don’t be put off by the red tape, if there’s something you need, we’re here to support things to happen if we can.

Further changes are on the cards (check out the item of rural health inequalities here), so MCO’s priority is to ensure Masham is not overlooked.

What are The Job Roles?

All of the changes and activity above means lots more lovely volunteers have stepped up – from helping in the office, library or on the website, to leading walks, helping people at home with their technology or driving the minibus.

All this activity needs coordinating, and in a world of safeguarding, technology and health and safety, all volunteers need training and support, info and continuity from skilled staff. Currently this role is split across two posts, but now a dedicated P/T Volunteer Coordinator is needed.

With the maintenance of three new websites and the ongoing demands of disseminating information and news via social media and this newsletter, it’s too much to expect volunteers alone to undertake. So, a new P/T Web and Communications post has been created.

A combined Finance and Admin post will bring together these two essential and interlinked back office functions. Combining these will be much more efficient than splitting across two roles as in the past. This is a P/T post too.

The Information Services Coordinator is the person who supervises the MCO Front Desk. This public-facing role is required 6 days a week and 7 in the summer – it’s been a big ask for staff. So, when Jude, the current post-holder asked to reduce her hours as part of the restructure process, it gave us the chance to increase the overall hours and make it a job-share, so we’re now recruiting for someone to share the post.

Where's The Funding Coming From?

In addition to the support from our community to buy the building, we were also very grateful to be successful in bidding for UKSPF funding.

Known as “levelling up” money, we were successful in applying for:

• Funds towards the building purchase.
• Funding for improvements to the sustainability of the building which has paid for solar panels and new double-glazed windows.
• Funding for a fixed term post to support community consultation, revamp of website and improved online promotion of our services and information
• Funding for the technical development of new website and improved computer systems.

The building has been purchased and now all the work is completed, the funding is spent.

However, prior to the successful bid, through closely managed finances, MCO had been building its reserves to put towards the building if needed. We are now investing back into our charity to build our capacity through restructuring our existing post and adding two new posts. Of course, the future challenge will be to sustain new activities enabled by the posts. This will involve future efforts to maximise our income from sales, fundraising, donations and grant applications for new activities.

If you have any questions at all about the restructure process, the new roles or how we are funded, please get in touch.