LOTTERY money is to be sought for an ambitious plan to house all of Skipton's volunteer charities under one roof.

The idea is to create a "Community House" in Skipton to enable the many and varied volunteer groups in the area to pool resources and share a focal point in the town.

Craven Volunteer Action (CVA) already acts as a kind of job centre for volunteers and groups, but would like Skipton to follow in the footsteps of other North Yorkshire areas in having an "umbrella" centre.

Jacqui Baines, co-ordinator of CVA, and her team are currently testing local opinion and formulating plans.

She said: "We have sent a questionnaire to all the volunteer organisations in the area to see if they would be interested in a community house.

"Harrogate, Whitby and Ryedale have all done the same thing, and York has had a brand new building.

"At the CVA we are getting increasing numbers of calls from agencies wanting premises in the Skipton area and we try to point them in the right direction. But there are simply not enough places available.

"It would be ideal to have a place where all the organisations could share resources, like bills and photocopiers.

"Some volunteers, like counsellors, only need the use of a desk a couple of times a week and we could offer that kind of space in a central community house.

"We also felt there was a need for such a place for people in the community - a kind of focal point where they could converge."

Some volunteer services in Skipton are finding themselves in less than ideal conditions.

Bereavement counselling service Cruse is currently based below a busy fitness centre on Swadford Street.

"We think the idea of a one-stop-shop is wonderful," said a Cruse spokesman. "Can you imagine what it's like trying to counsel people who have lost loved ones, with the noise of a busy gym overhead?

"And for us, to move into such a community house would be a boon for all the disabled people we would like to help, but who have to negotiate our stairs at the moment."

At least 10 local groups have responded positively to the CVA's inquiry, and Jacqui added that the next step was to find the money.

She said: "In the next two years the National Lottery Charities Board's theme is community involvement so it's tailor-made for organisations like ours."

Anyone who can suggest a potential venue for a community house, or just offer any help, should call the CVA on 01756 701056.

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