North Yorkshire Council
Health and Adult Services
Executive Member Meeting
14 November 2025
REPORT TO Corporate Director of Health and Adult Services (HAS) in consultation with the
Executive Member for Health and Adult Services
Stay Healthy, Independent and Connected (SHIC) – grant programme
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1.0 Purpose Of Report (required)
To approve an extension of the Stay Healthy, Independent and Connected (SHIC) grant programme for a 12-month period commencing on 1 April 2026. |
2.0 Summary
This report recommends a one-year extension of the SHIC grant programme with delivery adjustments to consolidate learning and maximise impact. The extension will continue the investment of £450k (including £37k funding from Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board) across 25 localities, supporting North Yorkshire Council’s (NYC) ambition to be “the biggest and most local council.”
The programme sustains trusted Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) relationships, enables additional funding to be leveraged by grant holders and supports community-led prevention. The SHIC grant programme sits alongside other prevention programmes including Living Well, Community Anchors and other emerging models.
3.0 Background
SHIC is a 3+1-year mixed-model grant programme launched in April 2023, replacing previous contracted models. It funds 25 locality-based VCSE organisations to deliver low-level prevention and support services. The programme builds on COVID-era learning and aligns with NYC’s strategic prevention goals.
Over half of the delivery partners are established or emerging community-led organisations, operating an early intervention model with high volunteer involvement. The remainder are partnership approaches with a lead community organisation and one specific community connector approach.
4.0 Detail of Substantive Issues
· SHIC supports older people, those with disabilities, and individuals facing life challenges.
· Services include information and advice, social activities, practical support, and volunteering. Community involvement is sustained post-intervention.
· Outcomes include sustained trusted VCSE network, strengthened local capacity, reduced isolation and improved independence and wellbeing
· Over 4,000 group sessions and 35,000 attendances were recorded in 2024/25, with 1000 volunteers involved.
· Additional funding is leveraged by grant holders.
Benefits of the recommended option
· Maintains funding and programme outputs.
· Allows strategic refinement and alignment.
· Builds trust with VCSE partners and relevant council services.
· Builds evidence to support further funding opportunities and links with other emerging prevention programmes.
The recommended option allows scope to make some delivery adjustments during the extension period in consultation with the providers;
· Strengthen relationship with and between grant holders, in liaison with the council’s Localities team
· Strengthen collaboration to support more Health and Adult Services focussed Information, Advice and Guidance provision and to increase provider’s ability to effectively support low level queries
· Refocus delivery in a small number of identified localities
· Explore improved evaluation and consolidate learning from this initial delivery period in order to influence the development of longer-term prevention ambitions.
5.0 Performance Implications
The programme contributes to reduced statutory social care demand and supports strategic prevention outcomes.
6.0 Policy Implications
Aligned with NYC Council Plan 2025–29, HAS 2030, North Yorkshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and the NHS 10-year plan.
7.0 Alternative Options considered
· Continue as-is with a one-year extension. This would maintain the current model without any changes and would be a missed opportunity for improvement.
· Cease funding of this programme entirely. This would lead to a loss of preventative community support and risk reducing our ability to develop our prevention ambitions in the longer term.
· Re-procure for 3 years – this would mean launching a new procurement process for a longer-term model. It would be an opportunity to redesign a model; however, there is a risk of a rushed process, insufficient time for market engagement and potential loss of continuity.
8.0 Financial Implications
No budget increase is proposed. A continued ICB contribution has been approved and agreed at the Joint Commissioning Group.
9.0 Legal Implications
None identified
10.0 Consultation undertaken and responses
Engagement with 12 grant holders and discussions with Localities team informed the proposal. All grant holders have confirmed their wish to extend.
11.0 Impact on other services/organisations
We anticipate that there continues to be a positive impact on the VCSE sector and community-led prevention partnerships.
12.0 Contribution to Council priorities
The grants will continue to support prevention, independence, and community capacity building.
13.0 Risk Management Implications
Failure to extend these grant arrangements will create risks of strategic misalignment, loss of trust, and disruption to VCSE partnerships. It will also reduce our ability to develop our prevention ambitions in the longer term.
14.0 Equalities Implications
No adverse impact has been identified for people with protected characteristics. The service will support diverse community needs and access to local services.
15.0 Conclusions
The SHIC programme is delivering valuable outcomes. A one-year extension with delivery refinements will maintain momentum and support strategic alignment.
16.0 Reasons for recommendation/s
To sustain community-led prevention, maintain VCSE relationships, and align with emerging strategic models.
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17.0 Recommendation/s
To approve an extension of the Stay Healthy, Independent and Connected (SHIC) grant programme for a 12-month period commencing on 1 April 2026.
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Name and title of report author
Sally Anderson, Strategic Service Development Manager
Appendices
None