We are delighted that Subrosa, a local brand and marketing company has chosen IDGN as their charity of the year.
The team from Subrosa has chosen to run The Yorkshire Marathon to fundraise for IDGN. The event takes place in October and every penny raised will motivate the team through their training and will ultimately support our clients over the coming year.
Every little really does help. Follow the link to donate: https://www.justgiving.com/page/subrosayorkteammarathon
Who should you call – Ilkley & District Good Neighbours or Ilkley Community Transport?
Ilkley is well-served with charities supporting people of all ages and covering many aspects of life. Two charities which are particularly relevant to our older residents are Ilkley and District Good Neighbours (IDGN) and Ilkley Community Transport (ICT). Once linked, these charities now operate entirely independently, although confusion persists, sometimes meaning a delay in the correct provision.
IDGN is the place to go for help with companionship, shopping assistance, social groups and dementia support. The team can be contacted on 01943 609906, Monday to Friday, and are available in person at the Wright Place in the Clarke Foley Community Hub on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10-4.
ICT runs a number of transport schemes, both for groups and individuals. The team can be contacted on 01943 603348 or visited at Riddings Hall, Riddings Road, Ilkley, LS29 9LU, Monday to Friday 10-12. There is a volunteer car driver scheme which offers lifts to medical or dental appointments, including to many of the local hospitals. They operate shopping buses from Addingham to Booths on a Friday morning, from Burley to Guiseley Morrisons on a Wednesday morning and from Menston to Guiseley Morrisons on Friday mornings. In addition, their minibuses are available for private hire by non-profit local organisations, social and special interest groups.
Both charities hope that by highlighting the role of each organisation, local residents are better able to choose who to contact in their time of need.
We are delighted to announce that we have received a generous donation of £1,000 from Barchester Care, helping to fund our popular annual scenic drives for local older people.
The donation was presented by Kay Thompson, Activities Coordinator at Barchester – The Dales Care Home, and will support three scenic bus outings.
The trips, which conclude with afternoon tea, offer members the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Yorkshire countryside, spend time with friends, and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Anita Dunford, Trustee of Ilkley and District Good Neighbours, said:“On behalf of everyone at Ilkley and District Good Neighbours, I would like toexpress our sincere thanks to Barchester Care for this generous donation of £1,000.
This wonderful contribution will help fund our three annual scenic drives, followed by afternoon tea, for our members, many of whom are older residents of Ilkley and the surrounding district. These outings provide a much-valued opportunity for people to enjoy a day out, socialise, and experience the beautiful local countryside. We are extremely grateful for Barchester’s support, which helps make these special events
possible.”
Kay Thompson, Activities Coordinator at Barchester – The Dales Care Home,said:“We are delighted to support Ilkley and District Good Neighbours and the valuable work they do within the local community. Helping older people stay connected, enjoy new experiences and reduce social isolation is something we are passionate about,and we are pleased that this donation will help make these wonderful outings possible.”
Ilkley and District Good Neighbours are dedicated to supporting older people through friendship, practical assistance and social activities, helping them to remain active, independent and connected within their community.
Saturday 20th June dawned a beautiful summer’s day, the perfect setting for Ilkley & District Good Neighbours’ (IDGN) Dip & Donate. This event, quickly becoming an annual tradition, encouraged the local community to take a dip in the waters of the White Wells bath house whilst donating to support the work of IDGN. 
IDGN Project Coordinator, Charlotte Atkinson, who organised the event said: “it has been a fantastic event and the sunshine has been a welcome bonus. We’ve had people come to dip, dry out over a coffee and then go in again. No one was volunteering to do that last year when we did it in March!”
Thanks to Mark Hunnebell and Joanne Everall, the White Wells tenants and proprietors, who supported the event and provided refreshments to the hardy souls who participated.
Robbie Moore, MP for Keighley and Ilkley, who showed his support again by dipping mid-morning, wasn’t convinced the change of season had made any difference whatsoever to the temperature of the water in the well! “It was freezing” he said, “huge well done to all who took part this weekend and donated funds to this fantastic organisation.”
Not wanting to miss out, IDGN trustee, David Humphreys, whilst on holiday in Switzerland, took a bus, minibus, cable car ride and a walk to the top of Elsigen Alp for a Dip & Donate plunge in a chilly, alpine lake.
David said “While we are away touring in our campervan, I still wanted to join in with the event and help to raise funds. The lake at Elsigen is 1797m (5895 ft) and is overlooked by mountains still holding winter snow so I was a little nervous about the cold factor. Anyway my double layering of swim trunks worked a treat! It was only my hands that really felt the cold and hopefully this effort will have contributed to the monies donated”
Ilkley & District Good Neighbours provide friendship, connection and support for older people across Ilkley, Addingham and Burley and continue to need your donations to ensure these services continue long into the future. Donations can be made at www.goodneighboursilkley.org.uk/donate.
Welcome to the fourth edition of our Supporter Newsletter, which will be the last under my tenure, as I hand over
the reins at our July AGM.
Read about our new home at the Clarke Foley Centre and the results of our recent client and volunteer surveys.
All the best,
Ed Duguid
Chair of Trustees
IDGN Newsletter – Spring 2026
The Friday Friendship Group were thoroughly entertained by Bluebell class from Sacred Heart Primary school on Friday 24th April. After initially appearing a little shy their confidence soon blossomed as they sang several songs for us including, ‘I’m a little teapot’ and ‘You are my sunshine’.
They went on to chat with everyone in the room, give out drawings they had done of themselves and eat their way through all the biscuits! Judging by the smiles both children and clients had a lovely afternoon creating some very happy memories.
