Yorventure

Case Studies

St. Mary’s Social Action Centre

Community Project

Located within 5 miles of the Yorwaste landfill site at Seamer Carr, the St Mary’s Social Action Centre was set up in 1997 to serve the St Mary’s Parish, an area which covers the old town of Scarborough and other areas near to the town centre.

In October 2000, the future of the centre’s manager had become uncertain as local council funds (which had previously sourced the manager’s salary) had run dry. Without the service and expertise of the centre’s manager there was fear that the facility would have to be shut down. This would have been fatal for many local people who relied heavily on the essential facilities that the centre provides such as showers, a laundry room and a communal television room.

Yorventure awarded a grant of £14,000 to fund the post for a further 12 months enabling the St Mary’s Social Action Centre to continue to provide practical and social facilities to hundreds of people, many of whom live in 140 DSS and bed-and-breakfast hostels in the surrounding area.

The St Mary’s Social Action centre is a registered charity and continues to provide a well used and essential amenity for the local community. The centre aims to encourage both social and spiritual welfare and to improve the condition of life for many local residents. As well as providing essential facilities and valuable support for the local community, it also facilitates numerous activities ranging from Mums and Toddlers Group to a pensioner’s luncheon club.

Mr George Crosby

Crossgates Short Mat Bowling Club

" We have nothing but praise for the Yorventure staff who dealt with our initial enquiry to its ultimate conclusion with respect and professionalism, keeping us informed at all stages of the progress made and answering any queries we made promptly and helpfully. "