Wakefield Charity Directory & Missions Lists Vital District Organizations

Wakefield District pulses with a vibrant community spirit, sustained by a network of dedicated voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organizations. Navigating this rich landscape, the Wakefield Charity Directory & Missions stands as an indispensable guide, connecting individuals, families, and other organizations to the vital support and opportunities available right on their doorstep. It’s more than just a list; it’s a living testament to the district’s commitment to mutual aid, empowerment, and collective well-being.
This isn't just about finding a service; it's about discovering the heart of Wakefield – the tireless efforts of people committed to making a tangible difference. Whether you're seeking help, looking to lend a hand, or hoping to collaborate, this directory illuminates the path.

At a Glance: Your Quick Guide to the Directory

What it is: A comprehensive (though not exhaustive) listing of Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organizations active in Wakefield District.
Who it's for: Anyone seeking support, individuals looking for volunteering opportunities, and organizations aiming for collaboration or partnership.
Key purpose: To be a central resource for discovering local services and connecting the community.
Keeping it current: Details for organizations can be updated by contacting Nova, ensuring the directory remains a relevant and reliable tool.

Unpacking Wakefield’s VCSE Landscape: More Than Just a List

Think of the Wakefield Charity Directory & Missions as a vital community map. Instead of roads and landmarks, it charts out the myriad organizations that form the backbone of local support and engagement. This directory isn't just an administrative record; it's a dynamic resource reflecting the immense voluntary effort within Wakefield District.
Its primary function is to serve as a hub, making it easier for people to find the help they need, for volunteers to discover causes they're passionate about, and for organizations to identify potential partners. It highlights the diversity of initiatives—from health and disability support to arts, education, and community development—all united by a common goal: to improve life in Wakefield. If you're keen to understand the full scope of local giving, exploring All about Charity Wakefield offers even more insights into this dynamic sector.

A Deeper Dive: Organizations Making a Difference

The strength of Wakefield’s charitable sector lies in its sheer breadth and the dedication of its individual organizations. Here’s a closer look at some of the vital services listed in the directory, categorized to help you quickly find areas of interest.

Nurturing Mental Health and Well-being

Mental health is a cornerstone of overall well-being, and several Wakefield organizations offer crucial support:

Time2Talk: This fortnightly mental health chat and support social group provides a safe space for open conversations, tackling varying topics to foster connection and understanding.
Airedale Community Workshop: Addresses social isolation, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues through the therapeutic power of woodworking sessions, offering a non-traditional path to healing.
Bethany House Healing Centre: Offers a peaceful refuge for adults experiencing emotionally difficult times, providing a loving, supportive, and safe environment.
Care To Talk Wakefield CIC: A peer-to-peer mental health group specifically designed for adults experiencing low to moderate mental health issues, holding meetings in Pontefract and Hemsworth with plans to expand across the Five Towns.
Community Links (Northern) Limited: An award-winning non-profit that provides a wide array of mental health and well-being services across Yorkshire and the Humber, also offering awareness training through its social enterprise.
Complex Minds: Offers support and advice for all ages dealing with hidden impairments like ADHD, Asperger's, and Dyslexia, extending its expertise to professionals and employers.
Crafting4Good CIC: Promotes well-being through creativity via its Creative Hub, offering sessions and low-cost supplies to encourage positive mental health.

Championing Health and Disability Support

Support for specific health challenges and disabilities is robustly addressed by many groups:

Dimensions: A national leader, this organization supports 7,000 individuals with learning disabilities and autistic people, promoting independent living through personalized support and housing.
Read Easy Wakefield: Tackles adult literacy head-on by offering free, one-to-one reading coaching from trained volunteer Reading Coaches, part of a national network helping thousands.
The Crafty Creatives - Cancer Support Group: Provides a welcoming space for individuals affected by cancer to engage in weekly craft sessions, fostering new skills and connection in a supportive environment.
28a Supported Living Ltd: Focuses on vulnerable adults, offering supported housing, individual support packages, and a drop-in service to achieve secure tenancy and independent living.
AbilityNet: Leveraging over 25 years of expertise in digital accessibility, this UK charity helps individuals of all ages and abilities use technology, while also assisting organizations in creating inclusive digital products.
Ackworth Riding for the Disabled Association: Offers unique therapeutic opportunities through horse riding and driving, benefiting disabled individuals.
Alzheimer's Society Wakefield: Provides essential services and support for people living with dementia, along with their families and carers.
Andrea's Angelic Healing Centre CIC: Working to establish a holistic palliative and end-of-life care center, this group expands grief support and compassionate care for those facing terminal diagnoses.
Aphasia Support: Steps in when other therapy options are exhausted, helping individuals with speech difficulties build confidence, reduce isolation, and re-integrate into the community.
Autism Plus Limited: Provides comprehensive services for adults with autism, including supported living, residential care, day provision, and employment support via its Step Forward project in Wakefield.
BHA for Equality: Delivers vital HIV support and prevention services in Wakefield, including testing, training, and 1-2-1 or group support.
Battle Scars: Dedicated to supporting individuals affected by self-harm through peer support groups, online resources, family discussions, and professional training.
Breast Cancer Haven: Offers crucial one-to-one emotional, physical, and practical support to anyone impacted by breast cancer.
Cancer Support Yorkshire: Provides free, direct, practical, and emotional support to individuals with a cancer diagnosis, without requiring a healthcare professional referral.
CoActive Arts: An arts organization specifically working with people with learning disabilities in Wakefield District, offering creative expression, skill development, and performance opportunities.
DIAL Wakefield: Offers free, independent advice and information specifically for disabled people, their carers, families, and professionals.

Strengthening Families, Children, and Youth

Families and young people receive dedicated attention from several organizations:

Barnardo's: A well-known charity providing wide-ranging support to vulnerable children, young people, and their families.
CLIC Sargent: The UK's leading cancer charity for children, young people, and their families, offering specialist support including grants, home care coordination, and school liaison.
Children of Normanton Support Team (C.O.N.S.T.): Runs activity groups for underprivileged children aged 5-16, offering multi-sports, arts, and first aid training.
Children's Domestic Abuse Support Service (CDASS): Provides child-centered support for children and young people who have witnessed domestic abuse, with both local and national online services.
Brocky's Trust: Supports children and young people in deprived areas by developing physical, mental, and social capabilities through organized sports and activities.
Crigglestone Day Care Limited: An Industrial and Provident Society providing year-round childcare for children aged 0-5.
Aspire-igen: This social enterprise helps people and communities through learning and work, offering free vocational study programs for 16-19 year olds and the Accelerate program for at-risk youth aged 15-24.
Aspire2b: Focuses on delivering I Media, sports, and business enterprise programs to disadvantaged and vulnerable young people, including NEETs and vulnerable adults/families.
DAZL Limited: A dance and health charity reducing health inequalities and tackling inactivity through community development and dance.

Supporting Older Adults and Carers

Those who have dedicated their lives to others, and those caring for them, find essential services here:

Age UK Wakefield District: Actively promotes the well-being of all older people, striving to make later life both fulfilling and enjoyable.
Carers Federation: Offers a comprehensive suite of services for carers, including advocacy, mentoring, counselling, and specialist training.
Carers Cafe C.I.C.: A vital online space, established to promote the mental health and well-being of unpaid carers, encouraging connection, support, and self-care. It also champions business support for carers in the workplace.
Carers Trust Mid Yorkshire: Part of a national network, this non-profit is a leading provider of support for carers and those they care for, building trusted relationships as a major social care provider.
Carers Wakefield and District: Offers dedicated support, information, advice, and advocacy to unpaid carers throughout the district.

Community Building, Arts, and Sports

Many organizations are focused on strengthening the fabric of the community through diverse activities:

5 Towns Media (Yorkshire): A volunteer-run community media and radio group that serves the 5 Towns area, providing a platform for local voices.
5 Towns Veterans Support Hub CIC: A volunteer group of Armed Forces Veterans offering friendship and vital signposting to agencies for support with PTSD, housing, and DWP issues for veterans and their families, with drop-in services in Castleford and Featherstone.
A Future In Sport: Provides multi-sport activities, training, and education for players, coaches, and volunteers, fostering athletic development and community engagement.
African United Society in Wakefield: Promotes social inclusion and advances public education on African culture and heritage, assisting socially excluded individuals.
Agbrigg Muslim Association: Offers education for children and females, prayer facilities, and a crucial meeting place for the local Muslim community.
Agbrigg and Belle Vue Community Association: A voluntary group dedicated to improving lives in its areas, using an eco-building on an allotment for therapeutic gardening groups.
Aire and Calder Methodist Circuit: Supports 32 Methodist schools and a primary school in the Wakefield/Leeds area, alongside local community projects run by churches.
Airedale Baby and Children's Bank: Provides essential baby and children's items to struggling families, collaborating with local food banks and other baby banks.
Airedale Boxing Club: Offers training for competitive amateur boxers, aspiring boxers, and fitness sessions for all ages, promoting physical activity and discipline.
Airedale Neighbourhood Management Board: A voluntary group working since 2008 with Wakefield District partners to improve the Airedale, Fryston, Ferry Fryston, and Townville areas, also managing a social enterprise community cafe.
Appletree Community Group: A constituted group at Appletree Allotment & Community Garden, offering a place to learn, meet, grow, share skills, and enjoy fresh produce.
Athelas CIC: Uses the power of nature and heritage crafts to improve individual well-being.
Beam: This arts charity, founded in 1986 and based in Wakefield, links arts, people, and places, embedding creativity in the public realm and responding to community needs.
Beat Autism: A non-profit community interest group offering parent/carer support and learning groups for families with children with autism, alongside evening activities for the whole family.
Bilal Community Association: Promotes intercultural dialogue, builds trust, and empowers communities to engage peacefully, helping those affected by cultural conflict.
BLESS Community Services CIC: Provides a diverse range of social activities designed for the community in Upton.
Brass Bands England: Works to share the benefits of brass bands, promoting their story, encouraging support, and advocating for the life-enhancing aspects of this cultural tradition.
British Red Cross Society: Mobilizes humanity to help individuals and communities prepare for, deal with, and recover from crises.
Castleford All Stars Gymnastics Club: Creates a safe and fun environment for members of all ages and abilities to progress in gymnastics skills and core fitness.
Castleford Heritage Trust: Utilizes Castleford's rich heritage and culture for community and regeneration projects, environmental improvements, and educational opportunities.
Christchurch South Ossett: Serves as a community hub, hosting various groups including a food bank (The Resource), learning difficulties support (Centrepoint), an elderly friendship group (Shared Craft), and uniformed youth groups.
City of Wakefield Golf Club: Promotes health and fitness by encouraging community participation in golf at Gaskell Sports Pavilion.
Cleva Community CIC: Engages socio-economically deprived children in multi-sports and summer camps to enhance school engagement, also supporting adults facing addiction, mental health, and isolation in building friendships.
Community First Yorkshire: An influential regional body working with voluntary organizations, social enterprises, and rural communities across North, South, and West Yorkshire.
Community Foundation Wakefield District: A vital link between donors and local needs, raising funds and providing grants to tackle disadvantage and exclusion within the community. For a more complete overview, consider visiting All about Charity Wakefield.
Community Transport Calderdale: Provides essential transport for people who are unable to access alternatives due to ill health, isolation, disability, poverty, or social exclusion.
Crofton Community Centre: A bustling hub that hosts various community activities, user groups, and boasts excellent indoor and outdoor sports facilities, including an all-weather floodlight pitch.
Crofton Parish Church: Serves as a spiritual and community focal point for the village of Crofton.
Crofton Phoenix Cricket Club: A local cricket club focused on enhancing health and well-being, promoting physical activity, and addressing social isolation through coaching and open community sessions for all ages and backgrounds.
Crofton Young People Association: Volunteers running the Crofton Youth Club on Friday nights, offering a safe and engaging space for young people.

Education, Employment, and Advocacy

Empowering individuals through knowledge, skills, and rights:

Afemai Children's Trust (ACT): A registered charity working with children in Nigeria and Yorkshire, UK, to offer opportunities for self-improvement through workshops that broaden minds and introduce other cultures.
C&K Careers: A non-profit social enterprise offering matrix-accredited information, advice, and guidance (IAG) services to young people and adults, including specialist support for vulnerable individuals.
Christians Against Poverty (CAP): Offers critical support through CAP Debt Help (home visits, counselling), CAP Job Club (practical job search support), and CAP Release Group (support for life-controlling issues).
Citizens Advice Wakefield District: Provides free, independent, confidential, and impartial advice on rights and responsibilities, championing diversity and challenging discrimination.
Cloverleaf Advocacy: Delivers person-centered advocacy for a wide range of individuals, including those with mental health needs, learning disabilities, and older people, ensuring their voices are heard.
Cream Catering CIC Limited: A social enterprise that provides catering services while creating vital employment opportunities for people with mental ill health or learning disabilities.
Bridge-It Housing: Offers temporary accommodation for vulnerable individuals including ex-offenders, rough sleepers, and victims of domestic violence, as well as those with drug, alcohol, or mental health issues.
Bevan Healthcare CIC: Commissioned by the Wakefield District Health & Care Partnership, this organization provides primary healthcare specifically to vulnerable groups, particularly asylum seekers, within the district.

How to Navigate the Directory and Make a Connection

The Wakefield Charity Directory & Missions is designed for practicality. Here’s how you can best utilize this powerful resource:

Finding the Right Support

If you're seeking assistance for yourself or a loved one, approach the directory with an understanding of the type of help you need. Are you looking for:

Health Services? (e.g., cancer support, mental health groups, dementia care)
Disability Support? (e.g., learning disabilities, physical disabilities, digital accessibility)
Family & Youth Resources? (e.g., childcare, children's activities, support for young carers)
Support for Older Adults? (e.g., well-being programs, social groups)
Community & Social Engagement? (e.g., sports clubs, craft groups, cultural associations)
Advice & Advocacy? (e.g., debt advice, legal guidance, carers' support)
Housing or Homelessness Support?
Once you have a category in mind, you can then look for specific organizations that align with your needs. Contacting them directly is the next step to understand their services, eligibility, and how to access their help.

Offering Your Time: Volunteering Opportunities

The lifeblood of many VCSE organizations is their volunteer base. If you have time, skills, or simply a desire to give back, the directory is an excellent starting point. Many organizations explicitly mention relying on volunteers:

Read Easy Wakefield: Always needs Reading Coaches.
5 Towns Media (Yorkshire): Run entirely by volunteers.
5 Towns Veterans Support Hub CIC: A volunteer group.
Crofton Young People Association: Volunteers run the youth club.
When considering volunteering, think about:
Your interests: Do you prefer working with children, the elderly, animals, or behind the scenes?
Your skills: Can you offer administrative support, IT expertise, a listening ear, or practical help?
Your availability: How much time can you realistically commit?
Reach out to organizations whose missions resonate with you. A simple inquiry about current volunteer needs can open doors to incredibly rewarding experiences.

Collaborating for Greater Impact

For existing organizations, the directory is a goldmine for potential partnerships. Collaborative efforts can amplify impact, share resources, and reach a broader audience. For instance, an organization supporting struggling families might connect with Airedale Baby and Children's Bank to provide essential items, or a mental health group could partner with Crafting4Good CIC to offer therapeutic craft sessions.
If you’re an organization looking to partner, consider:

Shared goals: Are there other groups working towards similar outcomes?
Complementary services: Can your services fill a gap in another organization’s offering, or vice-versa?
Resource sharing: Can you pool volunteers, facilities, or expertise?
Contacting Nova to update your own organization's details ensures you're visible to potential collaborators, helping to foster a more interconnected and resilient VCSE sector in Wakefield.

The Power of Local Giving: Why Supporting These Missions Matters

Every entry in the Wakefield Charity Directory & Missions represents a group of people striving to solve problems, alleviate suffering, and build a stronger community. From Dimensions ensuring people with disabilities live fulfilling lives to Christians Against Poverty helping individuals escape debt, these organizations are addressing real, often acute, needs that might otherwise go unmet.
Supporting these local missions, whether through volunteering, donations, or simply spreading awareness, directly translates into a healthier, more inclusive, and more vibrant Wakefield. It’s an investment in your neighbors, your community, and the collective future of the district. To learn more about how charitable giving strengthens local communities, exploring All about Charity Wakefield provides additional context and inspiration.

Your Next Step: Engaging with Wakefield's Charitable Heart

The Wakefield Charity Directory & Missions is more than just a list—it's an invitation. An invitation to discover, to connect, and to contribute. Whether you're navigating a personal challenge, eager to share your time, or seeking collaborative opportunities, this resource is your starting point.
Take a moment to explore the organizations detailed within. Reach out to those that capture your interest or align with your needs. The dedicated people behind these missions are ready to welcome you, offer their expertise, or simply provide the information you're looking for. By engaging with this directory, you’re not just finding a service; you're becoming a part of the dynamic, caring, and resilient spirit of Wakefield District.