Building Stronger Communities, Together
At Smile, we believe that real change happens when communities are supported to lead their own future. Our Community Development work is rooted in partnership, listening first, understanding local strengths, and helping people turn ideas into action. The East Riding Community Development team is commissioned by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and we have held this contract for the past 8 years We work alongside residents, grassroots groups, and neighbourhood organisations to build confidence, skills, and long‑term resilience. Whether it’s supporting a new community group to get off the ground, helping volunteers access training, or connecting partners around shared goals, our approach is always collaborative and people-centred.
What We Do
Support community groups with governance, planning, and funding guidance Facilitate local partnerships and networks Provide coaching and mentoring for community leaders Help communities identify priorities and design their own solutions Connect groups with resources, training, and opportunities
Our Impact
Community Development is about unlocking potential. We help create places where people feel connected, valued, and empowered to shape the future of their neighbourhoods.
Point of Contact
Cat Bradshawcat.bradshaw@heysmilefoundation.org
VCSE News
Smile Soup is coming to Goole!
Following the success of our Bridlington Smile Soup event, we are excited to be bringing Smile Soup to Goole on 2nd November 5-7pm at the Market Hall, and we cannot wait to hear the brilliant ideas the community has to share.Smile Soup is a friendly, Dragon’s Den-style crowdfunding event where local people pitch an idea that could make a positive difference in their community. On the night, the audience will hear the pitches and vote for the idea they would most like to support.The winning pitch will receive a £500 pot of funding to help turn their idea into reality.No idea is too small, too new or too unusual. If you have an idea that could help make Goole a better place to live, connect people, bring a little more joy, or respond to something your community needs, we would love to hear from you.Pitches are open to anyone and everyone; individuals, community groups, charities, local organisations and people with a good idea and the energy to make it happen.More details, including how to get involved and pitch your idea, will be shared soon. Watch this space!.
Help to Save
Boost your savings with 50% government bonus
What is Help to Save?Help to Save is a government savings scheme for eligible people on a low income.You can save between £1 and £50 each month, and the government adds50p for every £1 saved.
Save for up to four years. Save up to £2,400 in total. Receive up to £1,200 in government bonuses. Bonus payments are made at the end of years two and four and are based on how much you have saved. You can withdraw money at any time, but this may affect your bonus payments. From 2028, the earnings criteria will be removed for people with caring responsibilities and the scheme will open to all Universal Credit claimants, making an additional 1.5 million households eligible. Check your eligibility and applyIt only takes a few minutes.Check your eligibility andopen a Help to Save account on GOV.UK,or apply through theHMRC app.Read HMRC’s UK Savings Week announcement.
Holderness Collective
We are launching our Holderness Collective. This is a community meeting facilitated by HEY Smile Foundation to help unite, support and enhance the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in the Holderness region.
When: 9.30-11.30am Wednesday 14th October 2026
Where: Nags Head Pub, Hornsea Road, Routh
Who for: Anybody working within or in support of the Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise sector in Holderness.
For more information, contact us at:
hello@heysmilefoundation.org
Celebrate International Day of Older Persons in Hornsea - CHANGE OF TIME
On Thursday 1 October, people across the world will mark International Day of Older Persons, a chance to celebrate the contribution, experience and importance of older people in our communities.
To mark the day, we are planning a relaxed community celebration in Hornsea, bringing together local people, community organisations and partners.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday 1st October
Location: St Nicholas Parish Hall - 1 Newbegin, Hornsea, HU18 1AB
Time: 11am–2pm
What will the day look like?
What will the day look like?
11:00 am – Doors open
11.00am–11.30am – Arrive, grab yourself a slice of cake and a cuppa, and have a look around.
11:30 am–12:00pm – A short welcome and introduction from the host.
Throughout the rest of the day, visitors will be free to come and go, explore, take part or simply enjoy a chat. You will be able to:
Add thoughts, memories and ideas to the Living Story Map — highlighting places you love, feel safe, find difficult, remember fondly or would like to improve.
Spend time in quieter “Take a Seat” conversation spaces, sharing what has changed, what keeps you connected and what would make life easier as you grow older.
Explore displays sharing the stories, photographs and themes already gathered through the project.
Meet local organisations and find out more about activities, advice and support available locally, including stalls from Early Help, Growing Green and Blue, and other voluntary and community organisations.
Find out how the conversations gathered through the project will help inform what happens next. Community insight should not stop at a celebration event — it should help influence local conversations, planning and change.
Time2Volunteer Awards - A feel good afternoon celebrating local volutneers
The Time2Volunteer Awards 2026 promise to be a truly uplifting celebration of the people who make Hull and East Yorkshire such a special place to live, work and volunteer. Taking place on Wednesday 7 October 2026 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Hull, the event will bring together volunteers, organisations, community groups and supporters for an inspiring afternoon of recognition, connection and celebration.
MenoPaus’ull
A Hull-based menopause support project run by Neighbourhood Network. passionate about making sure women across Hull and East Yorkshire have access to the information, support and conversations they need around menopause.
As part of Menopause Awareness Month, they have a free menopause event taking place:
📍 MenoPaus’ull – Hull- Princess Quay
📅 Saturday 17th October- 10.30-2.30pm
📍 Princes Quay, Hull
It will bring together local organisations, experts, speakers and services, creating a welcoming space where women can learn, ask questions, discover support and connect with others.
They will also be supporting a menopause-themed play taking place at the University of Hull during October. The play has been created around the experiences of menopause and aims to open up conversations in a different and engaging way.