A new maternal wellbeing support group is launching in Thirsk on Thursday 08th January 2026, marking the first community-based session delivered by Brighter Skies, the Yorkshire-based campaign founded by local parents Stef Scurr and Andrew Dunn. The group, which will run from 9am–11am at Thirsk Community Primary School in partnership with Giggle & Grow Tots group provided by Community Works.

We sent the Charlesworth family to experience the magical: Of the Oak in The Chapel at Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Not a typical art exhibition but an immersive sound-and-video installation that invites you to step metaphorically inside an ancient oak tree.

Yorkshire children’s cancer charity Candlelighters is showcasing the role of outreach play specialists, within the broad range of services it offers to the families of children with cancer. Emily Wragg, Candlelighters’ CEO explains: “We’re proud to fund two NHS outreach play specialists based at Leeds Children’s Hospital.

Jones Myers has helped to enhance the quality of life for disabled Artmakers by contributing presents for a festive fundraiser. Support from the niche family law firm has helped to raise £3,000 for Henshaws which supports people living with a range of disabilities to discover their talents, put them into practice - and realise their full potential.

Candlelighters, the children’s cancer charity, is holding their Big Give Christmas campaign, from midday Tuesday, December 2nd to midday Tuesday, December 9th, when donations will be matched by pledges from generous organisations. The charity is hoping to raise £40,000 in online donations in seven days, which will be matched to achieve a target of £80,000.

Making arrangements for the care of children over the Christmas period as a separated parent can feel daunting, and without a court order specifying where children should live or spend time during school holidays or special occasions, disagreements can quickly arise. There are however, several ways to ease the pressure and reduce any potential conflict.

Madison Lord, 11, a Forget Me Not fundraiser from Brighouse joined Children in Need presenters Mel Giedroyc, Rochelle Humes, Vernon Kay, Paddy McGuinness, Lenny Rush and Big Zuu in the BBC studio for a special evening of fundraising.

The Norse god, Skadi, may have brought the snow and ice down to Viking-age Coppergate, but the 10th century inhabitants are promising a very warm welcome to visitors making winter trips to JORVIK Viking Centre in York – where sub-zero temperatures are forecast to stay until February!

This Christmas, British Garden Centres is inviting homeowners across the country to spread festive joy and light up their streets as part of its #LightUpChristmas campaign with the launch of its sparkling new competition, Light Up Your House.

I decided to have yet another attempt at tidying my studio. There`s usually a reasoning or prompt behind these bouts of `cleansing` and last week was no exception. This time there was a double incentive. Firstly, after months recovering from an op I saw my studio in a different light.