about
The Richmond Yorkshire Community Interest Company is a not-for-profit organisation, established in December 2023, based in Richmond and run by Richmond residents. It will deliver projects which support economic growth and resilience, promote community cohesion, and provide positive experiences for our community and visitors.
Richmond is one of the country’s most beautiful Market Towns. It is a real privilege to live here, regardless as to your age.
However, despite all of its wonderful attributes, Richmond doesn’t always achieve its full potential, nor does it necessarily create sufficient opportunities to improve the lives of residents and the thousands of visitors who are an integral part of the town’s economy.
WARNING – Here comes the formal language contained in our official statement of purpose:
Richmond Yorkshire Community Interest Company is being established to create a portfolio of new initiatives that will add to the prosperity of the town. The Company will aim to work cooperatively with various organisations in Richmond in the direct provision of some of the new services it brings forward.
Specifically, the Company will provide a platform through which a coordinated programme of discrete projects will be developed and marketed to benefit the people of Richmond and the thousands of visitors who come to the town each year.
The majority of projects initiated by the Company will be commissioned to generate positive public
outcomes that if measured purely for their commercial value would probably not warrant investment.
The Directors are freely giving of their time and expertise and are motivated by their desire to make a difference.
Why has the Richmond Yorkshire Community Interest Company been established?
Why has the Richmond Yorkshire CIC been established?
Funny you should ask...
A CIC is a legally recognised structure that the government added to the statute books back in 2005. It allows companies to be created that exist solely to deliver not-for-profit activities for the benefit of their communities. There are around 26,000 CICs registered in the UK.
However, it is not a charity because the income that the CIC generates is not restricted to supporting just one ‘purpose’ or cause, like say Guide Dogs for the Blind (clearly a charity).
The hoped for profit that the Richmond Yorkshire Community Interest Company earns will be reinvested in sustaining the new social enterprises that we set up as well as being distributed to various organisations or individuals in our community who are making Richmond an even better place to live.
What’s a Community Interest Company (CIC)?
What’s a Community Interest Company (CIC)?
the team
A group of 9 individuals, from quite diverse backgrounds, have come together to set up the Company. They all share a very positive vision for the future of Richmond. They are proactive and keen to begin working on several new projects. The Directors of the Richmond Yorkshire Community Interest Company serve as unpaid volunteers. Find out more.
Tim Longstaff
James Gravenor
Lisa Potts
Director
Director
Director
David Walker
Marcia McLuckie
Director
Director
Amanda Cook
Ian Woods
Donald Cline
Judith Harwood
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
get involved
The Richmond Yorkshire Community Interest Company has been constituted so that anyone who has a love of Richmond can apply to become a member.
Directors must approve each application for Membership. As a member you will receive news about what the Company is planning to do. You’ll be entitled to attend Members’ meetings and vote on specific aspects of how the Company is managed.
Only individuals can become members not organisations. If your application is approved, you will need to pay a membership fee of £20 which is renewable annually. This contribution will be placed in our general operations fund and be used to forward the aspirations of the Richmond Yorkshire Community Interest Company.
Members will be encouraged to give of their time to help make the Company a success. They will also be asked to share their observations of what issues the Company might consider addressing.
projects
We are not short of ideas - nor the depth of experience to make things happen. However, before any idea can become a CIC ‘project’ a careful evaluation process needs to take place. Here are a few of the initiatives we have got underway in 2024 or are looking to progress in 2025.
The Richmond Yorkshire CIC 2024 Amazing Neighbours initiative has resulted in many nominations detailing wonderful examples of care and compassion. December’s winner, Wayne Osmond, is no exception and his support for his neighbour Julie Wilkinson been recognised with a prize of £100 of shopping vouchers.
Find out more about 2024's final Amazing Neighbours worthy winner here.
After 50 years, Wainwright’s famous Coast to Coast Walk will finally receive the recognition it deserves in 2025. To support the £5,800,000 investment in the Coast to Coast‘ upgrade’ being made by Natural England, the Richmond Yorkshire CIC is launching the Official Coast to Coast Passport. This will allow walkers to collect distinctive stamps along the route and claim an official Completion Certificate - and take advantage of some great discounts. Lots more information here.
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The CIC has embraced the 'Community Anchor' status afforded it by North Yorkshire Council and has been developing a programme of activities - some of which are already up and running. Our aim is to bring life to small projects that can make a difference to residents in the local area and we're always happy to discuss new ideas and work with different partners. In 2025 we'll be continuing to support the development of a proposal for a Bike Park, launching a 'Connectors' network, partnering on a community response plan in the event of an emergency, offering a 'volunteers' hub', coordinating an Experience Work programme for young people and so much more!
The Richmond Yorkshire Community Interest Company is applying to become the Community Anchor Organisation (CAO) for Richmond.
If successful, we would receive some ‘seed capital’ from North Yorkshire Council to assist with some of the initial expenses associated with running the CIC and begin to advance the programme of activities we wish to deliver.
Richmond has so many amazing events! The Richmond Yorkshire CIC is trialling a intitative to promote Richmond's varied festivasl and seasonal events programmes and give support to the many - mostly volunteer - groups who make these events happen.
If you run an event in Richmond or are thinking of developing one, get in touch.
The Richmond Yorkshire Community Interest Company is applying to become the Community Anchor Organisation (CAO) for Richmond.
If successful, we would receive some ‘seed capital’ from North Yorkshire Council to assist with some of the initial expenses associated with running the CIC and begin to advance the programme of activities we wish to deliver.
The CIC has donated £1500 to ORBTA (The Original Richmond Business & Tourism Association) in acknowledgement of the early support from ORBTA in the establishment of the RIchmond Information Centre. The CIC looks forward to working with ORBTA in the future to support the economy and community of Richmond.
Over 35 volunteers participated in a 3 day campaign to repaint the historic cast iron railings at the top of Frenchgate and around the War Memorial.
The Richmond Yorkshire Community Interest Company launched their campaign last month to recruit volunteers who were willing to give an hour of their time to assist Richie Smith and his team of professional decorators who have donated their time to the cause.
The work took place between the 7th – 9th August. The volunteers from Richmond and the surrounding area began by scraping down the railings, which after 20 years were a bit mucky and then repainted them in the original black and gold colours that adorned them originally.
The project was supported by the amazing volunteers, Richie Smith and his crew, North Yorkshire Council and Dulux. More information here.
CIC appoints a talented multitasker!
The CIC has appointed Maggie Shackleton as its Administration and Development Manager. We're really pleased to have Maggie on board!
The Richmond Yorkshire Community Interest Company is applying to become the Community Anchor Organisation (CAO) for Richmond.
If successful, we would receive some ‘seed capital’ from North Yorkshire Council to assist with some of the initial expenses associated with running the CIC and begin to advance the programme of activities we wish to deliver.
stay informed
If you would like to follow the work of the Richmond Yorkshire Community Interest Company, please sign-up to our mailing list.