THE Skipton based winner of one of last year’s North Yorkshire County Council community awards says being nominated gave the group a ‘buzz of excitement’.

Exclusively Inclusive, a voluntary group that organises social events to help people overcome isolation within the Skipton area, was last year named best community group.

Group organiser Katie Peacock said: “We were very excited to learn that we had been nominated for the award, it felt amazing to be part of a group of people who had been nominated for their contributions to their communities. There was such a buzz of excitement, accomplishment and celebration as well as an overriding desire to continue and develop our community work.”

Every Friday the group runs Rendezvous sessions, which can include making gifts, crafts and article writing for the Craven Gazette. They also organise Come Dine With Me evenings, inclusive club nights and regular trips.

Although they try to keep costs to group members to a minimum, they acknowledge how important the £1,000 prize money has been. With so many people benefitting from the service, they strive to keep the group running.

Katie added: “One of our members recently said ‘If Exclusively Inclusive didn’t exist I don’t know what I’d be doing, the group really does help me feel that I belong and set me on the path to friendship’.”

This is the fifth year for the awards, which seek to honour those people and organisations who dedicate their time to help the county council deliver critical services. Winners receive £1,000. The categories are: Best community group, best community project, volunteer of the year, and young people volunteering award.

The closing date for nominations is June 7. More details online at: northyorks.gov.uk/communityawards, or 01609 780780.