Who are we?
Scarborough Mates is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), established in 2018.
We are a registered with the Charity Commission (charity no.1184005), and are managed by a Board of Trustees.
Meet our Trustees here
We meet in a repurposed railway building that has various activity rooms, including spaces for crafts, art and ceramics as well as a workshop with woodworking and metal working equipment and a wide range of power tools.
We are open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and provide a welcoming environment for members, many of whom are retired individuals who enjoy meeting like minded people whilst working on practical projects. The organization emphasizes inclusivity and camaraderie, offering opportunities for members to participate in arts and crafts, games, outings, and even home repairs through skill-sharing among participants.
What are our Aims?
By providing a warm, safe environment for practical activities and somewhere to go for a chat and a cuppa, Scarborough Mates aims to foster connections among its members. We aim to create a sense of belonging and community, ensuring that individuals who might otherwise perhaps feel lonely or isolated can engage with others, sharing skills and learning new ones. Members forge new friendships along the way, which can reduce social isolation, particularly if this has been exacerbated by issues such as illness, unemployment, retirement or bereavement, or simply a loss of confidence in social situations.
Our Constitution is available to be viewed on request.
How are we funded?
Our funding comes from a variety of sources:
- We are a paying membership group, with all contributions going to the charity. Members pay monthly, but we also have some free and subsidised places for those experiencing financial hardship.
View our membership fees here
- We are happy to offer our services to other community organisations, for which Scarborough Mates receives a donation eg marshalling at Scalby Walk, fitting carbon monoxide monitors in homes on behalf of Yorkshire Coast Sight Support.
- We are happy to make or mend a variety of bespoke items for organisations or individuals in return for a pre-agreed donation.
- We run various specific small-group courses for which there is a fee eg ceramics courses, woodworking courses, pyrography, mosaic courses.
- We apply for grants and funding from local and national businesses, trusts and organisations eg Sirius Minerals, Making a Difference Locally, The Clothworkers’ Trust, some of which are for specific projects eg kitchen conversion, refurbishment of our activities room, and some to pay our running costs eg the gas bill!
- We attend a variety of events in and around Scarborough with a view to raising the profile of Scarborough Mates and raising funds for our organisation by appealing to peoples’ competitive side, or their taste buds!
Opening Times
Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Find Us
We are located in a single storey, Victorian, ex-railway building at Unit 8, Londesborough Business Park, 66 Londesborough Road, Scarborough, YO12 5AF
Directions are here.
Support us
How can you support us?
- Come and join us
- Ring or call in to speak to one of our Duty Managers any morning, Monday-Thursday to find out more.
- Volunteer to help run our organisation
- You might have financial, business or fundraising experience – don’t hesitate to mention it! We can always find a role for an expert!
- You might like to become a Trustee or a Duty Manager/Key Holder – again, don’t hesitate to talk to us about this!
- If you would like to find out more about what is involved, email or call in to see one of our Duty Managers Monday to Thursday between 10.00am and 12.00.
- Donate
- Your donation will help us provide more subsidised places in our organisation, help us organize more events, and help us to do even more to combat social isolation. It could even go towards paying our gas bill, so we can keep our building warm and welcoming for everyone during colder weather.