Celebrating Women, Collaboration & Community Impact

This year’s International Women’s Day holds extra significance as it falls within York Cares’ 20th anniversary year. In this blog, our Manager, Holly Hennell, reflects on two decades of collaboration, community impact, and the inspiring women who have played a vital role in shaping York Cares. From the charity’s launch in 2005 to the ambitious £20,000 fundraising target we’ve set for this milestone year, Holly shares her journey and the power of working together to create lasting change.

“This year’s International Women’s Day is particularly significant for me as it falls in the 20th anniversary of York Cares and my 20th anniversary of working at the University of York, the home of York Cares. 20 years is not only a huge achievement for this small, local charity but a personal achievement for me, having watched the charity from its launch in 2005 to joining it as a Volunteering Project Officer in 2009 and then taking over management in 2017. The charity has grown from working with just three employers in the city to now working with over 30. Over the years, we have empowered thousands of volunteers to take social action in the city, supporting hundreds of local VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise) organisations to make York a great place. York Cares success is rooted in collaboration, we are undoubtedly stronger together.
York Cares has been incredibly fortunate to work with the most inspiring women. From my predecessor, Jacqui Gunter (née Tesselment) and Gayle Johnson who were instrumental in the launch of the charity, to our female Chairs, Angela Darlington (2012-2015), Caroline Dibbs (2017 – 2020) and Louise Soulsby (2021-2023), to the Chairs of the Operations Board, Julie Morris (2019-2023) and Lucy Pagliaro (2024 – present), to the female members of the ECO team, Kristina Davey, Beki Hagger and Melanie Elkan to my Line Manager, Louise Thurston to my all female team, Georgia Gibbons, Hannah Corkery, Megan Wilkinson, Caitlin Johnston and Ruby Mason. Not to mention all of the female Board Directors, Ambassadors and partners we have the privilege of working with.
As a small charity, we have faced and overcome numerous challenges over the years and this year is no different. The current economic climate has put us, like many other charities, in a precarious financial situation. We are therefore considering how we can diversify our income streams to ensure the long-term sustainability of the charity. To mark our 20th anniversary, we have set ourselves the ambitious target of raising £20,000. We cannot do this without your support. Whether that be through donations, organising your own fundraising event or raising awareness about our work.
To all women, you are amazing. Let’s keep working together to make a difference.”
As we celebrate 20 years of York Cares, we’re more committed than ever to creating lasting social impact in our city. But we can’t do it alone. To mark this milestone, we’ve set ourselves the ambitious goal of raising £20,000 to ensure we can continue bringing businesses, employee-volunteers, and communities together for years to come. If you’d like to support our work and help us reach this target, please consider making a donation via our JustGiving page. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a real difference. Thank you for being part of our journey!