A NEW project has been launched to help people change their local community.

Coast and Vale Community Action (CaVCA) has been awarded funding from the BIG Lottery Reaching Communities Fund to help Ryedale residents make the changes they want to see in their communities.

The project will support people and groups to take action on locally identified issues to improve quality of community life for all.

It will focus on supporting individuals and groups at grass roots level to develop projects and activities that meet the needs they have identified in the places they live.

Mel Bonney-Kane, chief executive of CaVCA, said: “We believe in the power of communities and people to change things for the better.

“This award will enable us to give them the support to do so.”

Through the funding, a new team of Locality Workers will be looking for people in Ryedale to help them kick start any ideas they feel would benefit their local community.

Jo Oliver, Totally Socially locality worker for Ryedale, said: “This is the first time a project like this has been delivered in the Ryedale area.

“Often it can be quite difficult to get an idea off the ground but with my support I can help make people’s vision for a project a reality.

“I am looking for passionate people in the community who have strong ideas and want to take them forward but don’t know where to start.”

For more information, email Jo.Oliver@cavca.org.uk or phone 07375 668996.