Wendy Clarkson

Wendy instigated the setting up and running of Tarn Moor memorial woodland in Skipton, encouraging ecological choices for funerals.

She is the first 'green' funeral director in North Yorkshire and is recommended by the Natural Death Centre. Wendy specialises in woodland burial and environmentally aware cremations, and has guided many families over 12 years as an Independent eco-friendly Green Funeral Director and funeral celebrant.

Wendy is a member of the Association of Green Funeral Directors and as such is committed to offering simple, personal and ecological options.

These can be everything from bio-degradable coffins to personally-made bespoke shrouds. The involvement of the bereaved family is actively encouraged in all parts of the process, even down to, for example, making their own personal floral tributes using flowers from their own garden.

Wendy says that there are lots of options for an ecological funeral, and it's knowing what questions to ask that is important.

Former client Vicky Peet, who nominated her, said: "Wendy has opened people's minds to be more pro-active in a funeral. She offers the people of Craven a fresh, inspiring, environmental approach to death and funerals."

North Craven Network

Jo Rhodes started the North Craven Networking Group in response to a perceived need for communication between individuals running small businesses in North Craven.

She has built this up using her own time and without payment for the last three years and her endless enthusiasm for the project has ensured its success.

North Craven Networking Group allows otherwise isolated individuals to come together to share their common interests. Many are running small businesses and are helped by making contact with others in the area. Information is regularly shared about relevant training opportunities and local events.

North Craven Networking Group allows otherwise isolated individuals to come together an share their common interests. Many are running small businesses and are helped by making contact with others in the area. Information is regularly shared about relevant training opportunities and local events.

In an area which is very geographically spread out, Jo has succeeded with her enthusiasm and commitment in bringing together many individuals running small businesses across North Craven. She uses e-mail plus an internet newsletter, sent out 3-4 times a month, to keep people in touch with what is happening across the area.

Lunchtime networking gatherings are held once a month at different business premises throughout the area approximately bounded by Bentham, Malham and Gargrave. These are friendly and informal meetings where members have an opportunity to share what they are doing & meet one another in person to network & develop contacts. Breakfast meetings are also now held monthly at The Courtyard just outside Settle.

Over the last three years over 160 different organisations have attended meetings and a great deal of collaborations, referrals and business has developed as a direct result of this group.

It is currently free to join the mailing list and attend lunchtime meetings. For a small monthly charge a business can be featured on the website.

Jo has also worked hard to put small rural businesses on the agenda of training providers and other business support organisations. Her closer links with people like Super Fast North Yorkshire, Airedale Enterprise Services and the Local Enterprise Partnership has encouraged them to run more events in Settle which have been well attended.

The promotion of this network is a huge achievement in an area where individuals can suffer considerable isolation. It has helped many to feel part of a worthwhile group which helps to advertise success and creates potential for new ideas & new ways of working.

Just Ask

Just Ask Domestic Services was founded by Sarah and Steve Hulbert to provide the kind of help that people really want and need to remain safely in their own homes. Skipton and the villages in the surrounding area have a higher than the national average population over the age of 65 years. As a result of increasing pressures on health and community services, more people are remaining in their own homes for longer. Sarah and Steve wanted the service to be available to anyone and so became a not-for-profit, community interest company in 2013. By using profits from full paying clients they are able to offer a subsidy to clients on a guaranteed pension credit. This has proved really popular, both with professional clients wanting their houses cleaned regularly and with the elderly clients who benefit.

It runs a number of services including cleaning, laundry, ironing, shopping, befriending, general help around the house, accompanied visits to the doctors or hospital. From each full paying customer they can offer subsidised and reduced rates to those unable to pay but in need of the services. They have already received the prestigious social enterprise mark and are passionate about the business and it’s impact on those they serve.

Just Ask has an innovative approach to business in the community. The benefits from their approach are holistic, while they offer a specific service they also carry out crucial relationship work with residents that can support an individual’s well being.