What Our Grant Recipients say:
Yorkshire Dales Wildlife Rescue
A grant from the Trust was used to purchase a washing machine to cope with the bedding and towels, etc. that need washing for the animals that the rescue cares for.
We now have a reliable, large capacity washing machine that enables us to provide clean bedding, etc. for the animals in our care. Hygiene is very important to reduce the risk of spreading disease and/or parasites.
Sarah
A Beamsley Grant Referrer
The grant has made life easier for the patient. His fridge freezer wasn’t working and kept tripping all his electrics, so he was at risk. His food could have been unsafe to eat which may have caused more health implications. He is a proud man and usually able to work. He has been told he will not be able to work for 12 months following surgery.
Amerdale Hall
The Trust’s grant was used to purchase a small glasswasher for the bar at Amerdale Hall which is currently being refurbished to provide a more attractive and functional community space where the residents of Littondale can meet to socialise and enjoy activities including sport, drama, art, music, talks, exhibitions, parties, etc.
The Hall is financed by fundraising, and an integral part of any event is providing refreshments and a bar. The extension of the bar area has allowed space for a small glasswasher in the bar area. This has made the running of events a lot easier and less onerous, even pleasurable for our volunteer staff!
Sarah
Cullingworth Bowling Club
The Trust’s grant went towards repairing gullies at Cullingworth Bowling Club, ensuring the safety of players and improving the club grounds.
The grant has enabled the club to complete all the work needed to upgrade the gullies surrounding the green. Without the grant the work would have been carried out in stages, as and when funds became available, and would have taken some considerable time.
Jill
Austwick Tennis Club
The Trust’s grant went towards allowing Austwick Tennis Club to complete the refurbishment of its courts to a very high standard.
Good courts are essential in continuing to attract members, maintain a viable club and play competitive tennis in leagues such as the Wharfedale League and Lancaster and Morecambe League. The grant has helped secure the club’s future and allows us to serve the needs of the North Craven Area.
Robert
Skipton Community Sports Hub
The Trust contributed to the cost of the kitchen at the new hub. Having the kitchen has made a massive impact on players and their families. They have had access to hot and cold food before, during and after training sessions and matches. The Club Secretary told us how lovely it is to see players and their families mingling rather than going straight home. The Club held a bingo night recently and it was great to see lots of players and their families, from both cricket and football, making memories.
It was nice to go into the new hub building when my brother was playing cricket. I don’t normally watch him play, so being able to sit with my parents and have a drink and some crisps was great! I’m looking forward to going again, especially with my football team.
Beatrice, U9’s team
The Hive, Silsden
The Hive in Silsden is a charity-run community centre that also houses a successful pre-school. The skylights in that part of the building had no coverings and in the summer months the room became quite uncomfortably warm for the children and staff. The Hive used their grant to install professional window tint film on the skylights.
By installing the window tints we have managed to reduce the heat in the pre-school room and in the corridor which leads to the pre-school. It means that the staff and children within the setting are a lot cooler and the day is more comfortable for everyone.
Jill
Low Bentham Public Hall & Victoria Institute
Low Bentham Victoria Institute is a village hall on the most Western edge of North Yorkshire where it borders Lancashire. It aims to provide users with a warm, comfortable space with good facilities at affordable prices. Groups hiring the hall include sports, social and educational organisations for all age groups and it also directly runs a number of activities for the community, in particular services for older people such as a lunch club and arts and games group. The group asked the Trust for funds to renew and supplement the crockery and cutlery and acquire a catering quality warming cupboard to keep foods at a safe temperature.
The grant from The Craven Trust meant that we could buy new cutlery and a warming cupboard to keep food hot. This has meant we can offer a much improved service and it will help us to attract more people to the hall. We are now better set up for bookings such as weddings, parties and fundraising events, thanks to The Craven Trust.
Jillian
Dementia Forward
Dementia Forward spent their grant on items for their garden area at the Gargrave Hub Club. The garden had recently been rejuvenated and they wanted to make sure they made it useable for their clients.
One gentleman had been keen to get a rake to clear up the fallen leaves, and he was so excited when we provided him with one, thanks to the funding. The beauty of the items that we have purchased is that the group will be able to see the rewards of their work – clearing, growing, watching birds and bugs – as the seasons change.
Debby
St. John’s Hospice
Since 1986 St John’s Hospice has been providing palliative care to adults with life-limiting conditions from North Lancashire, the South Lakes and parts of North Yorkshire , specifically within the Craven District. St. John’s Hospice’s grant was used to pay for a new syringe driver in January 2023.
A patient’s family member said ‘’We feel supported and reassured with the support we receive from St. John’s Hospice”. Your funding has helped us to provide hospice care to patients in their own homes and given them the choice over where they receive care and where they choose to die. Thank you.
Liz
CancerCare
CancerCare is an independent local charity supporting people affected by cancer or bereavement in North Lancashire and South Cumbria. They also support some clients on the Lancaster/Craven district border: mostly in Bentham, Ingleton and Burton. CancerCare received a donation to help with the costs of therapy sessions in October 2022.
The grant paid for approximately 30 sessions of professional one-to-one therapy for people affected by cancer or bereavement in the Craven Trust area. Between 1st October 2022 and August 2023, CancerCare has seen 18 clients for a total of 129 sessions of one-to-one therapy from the area.
Penny
Hainworth Wood Community Centre
Hainworth Wood Community Centre received a grant for new chairs in July 2022.
The grant ensured that all our guests to the centre are able to sit comfortably and provide sturdy chairs for use by those with mobility issues.
Anna
A Beamsley Grant Referrer
The family were unable to afford a specialist car seat meaning that the young person was unable to travel in their car at all. Due to her additional health needs it was not possible to walk. She can now get out and about with her family which has significantly improved the wellbeing of both her and her family.
Nebula Girls’ Group
Nebula Girls’ Group received a grant for various equipment in April 2022.
The camera has enabled us to take photos/videos on a piece of equipment that belongs to Nebula and thus complies with safeguarding and child protection policy. The staff use the camera at sessions to take photos which can then be put on our parent/carer socials. Being able to show people what we do at sessions is important. This has helped parents/carers and potential new members to have an insight into what our young people are doing at the sessions; they can see they are happy and interacting with others or engaging with the activity.
Lesley
A Beamsley Grant Referrer
The recipient was suffering from blurred vision and severe migraines after a cataract operation had changed her prescription needs. She had no savings or disposable income to buy new glasses and the grant enabled her to buy the most cost-efficient ones. She can now see, her migraines have gone, and she has regained her independence.
Aighton, Bailey & Chaigley Village Hall
Aighton, Bailey & Chaigley Village Hall received a grant toward the cost of their refurbishment in April 2022.
We now have a quiet room for the Youth Club and adult groups who need a smaller room to meet with a kitchen to have a coffee, chat and take part in their group it is warm and welcoming and now fit for purpose thanks to your kind donation towards this.
Margaret
A Beamsley Grant Referrer
The carer says that since having the light cordless vacuum the cleaning has been much easier and less tiring. She was so grateful to receive the grant.
A Beamsley Grant Recipient
That’s amazing news! Thank you so much… it’s the first kind thing that’s happened in so many years, I’m quite emotional about it.
Gargrave Playground Association
The playground association re-vamped their playground with help from The Craven Trust to purchase one of the pieces of equipment.
We’ve had lots of positive feedback about the equipment from parents and the children have been so excited. For the first time in a long time we have had young families visiting the playground throughout the day and evening, many of whom never used to go. Everyone sees it as a success already and we feel really chuffed!
Howden Hall Users’ Group
Holden Hall Users’ Group needed funding towards DJ sessions and sports sessions for Oakworth Youth Cafe, who use the hall. These youngsters had already raised some of the money themselves and the Trust was happy to match-fund their efforts.
Friday evenings are often a time when spirits are high and young people may find themselves in situations they would be better off not being in.
We nudge them our way and give them a safe, welcoming and stimulating environment. The appeal of the Friday evening sessions has now increased because we have been able to offer the young people who attend a more varied programme of activities.
Settle Stories
The ‘Our Stories’ project would bring the popular W.R. Mitchell photograph and slide collection to life for local people to enjoy. In order to do this, the group needed a professional scanner so that they could digitise the photographs.
The exhibition is now semi-permanently installed in our new premises and available for the public to view. The exhibition was very well received locally and brought our work to public attention.
Sita
Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue
This Association used a grant from the Trust for safety helmets for their members. These replaced existing helmets which had passed their expiry date.
These helmets are used by our members on every surface incident to protect them, so accelerating their replacement was absolutely crucial.
Julian
Haworth Riding for the Disabled
The Craven and Beamsley Trusts helped this group to compete in the Special Olympics in Sheffield by giving funding for saddle cloths and providing the group with refreshments whilst they were there.
This money allowed our disabled riders to attend the Special Olympics. It helped nurture their sporting skills and develop their independence. They got the opportunity to build long term support structures away from the home and learn about team building and team work.
Jane


















