This year, it has expanded from a day, to a week, allowing more flexibility for racing’s organisations to get involved with volunteering work in their local area.

The shift to a week was a great benefit to the Yorkshire courses – it meant I could find a day in the week that was as far away from racing as possible, to encourage as many people as possible to take part.

Our racecourses are made up of small teams, both in the office and on the grounds staff, so in order to raise maximum impact for the community and least disruption for the racecourses at a business critical time of the year, we get together for a central project.  That said it’s not compulsory and most racecourses get involved with something, even if it’s not during Community Engagement week.

Last week, Ripon Racecourse went to a local school to tidy up their gardens and in the Autumn, York take on a project close to home – look out for more info!

The team from Ripon visit St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School 

This is the fifth time that Go Racing In Yorkshire has organised a volunteering day and this year’s activity took us to Pickering.

One of the biggest challenges can be finding an organisation that is in a position to make use of the offers of help – enough to make an impact but also, not to overwhelm, or at least getting to the right person.  Not this year though.  Through social media, I was aware of the recent fundraising efforts of Ryedale Special Families, a charity that supports young people and their families, who live with disabilities, and have nearly completed a new, purpose-built facility.

I found the contact details, put in a call and went straight through to Lisa, the CEO.  I explained what we were looking to do and wondered if there was any way we could help them with their project.

“Yes, definitely, but I don’t know what it will be yet!” said Lisa.  She didn’t need asking twice!

“No problem,” I replied, “have a think and we’ll make a plan nearer the time.”

I rallied the troops and got confirmation from Catterick, Pontefract and Wetherby, so with representatives from those courses and both us from Go Racing In Yorkshire, we had a crew of seven, all set to get to work.

I reconvened with Lisa and it turned out that the task in hand was sanding and painting skirting board.  We were instructed to bring a packed lunch, camping chair and flask of tea as the facilities are yet to be connected.

“We do have a portaloo onsite!” she told me, reassuringly!

Ryedale Special Families’ mission statement is,

“We support families of children and young people with disabilities and additional needs in Ryedale, North Yorkshire”.

The new building is going to be an absolute game changer in what they can offer and more importantly how.

Both Lisa and Heidi, were on hand to welcome us and get stuck in.  We were shown three pallets, absolutely stacked with wood, all cut to equal lengths, with a bevelled edged at the top.  The builders set out several stands for us and Lisa provided us with a roll of sandpaper, paint, buckets, trays, brushes and rollers.

Initially we all started sanding and painting, but it quickly became apparent that we needed a production line, in order to operate an efficient system.

Given the warmth of the day, coupled with a gentle breeze, the skirting board dried in no time at all, so once the first lot had been removed and stacked, we divided into groups of sanding, painting and stacking and without much bother, we were demolishing the pile.

While we were working, Heidi explained, that the current headquarters are located in a cottage in Old Malton and that since the organisation started, it has grown substantially, meaning that many of the activities are held in various locations around the time.

The Pickering building will be so functional.  It will have fully accessible bathrooms, large rooms for education, full kitchens, which are suitable for the young people to use and an office, that is much bigger than the bedroom that they are currently using!

Community Engagement Day, is a fantastic initiative for the racecourses to give back to their local community.  We have skills and manpower that can be used and collectively can make a big impact.  It’s much more than that though.  It provides us with an opportunity to get out of the office and work together as a bigger team.

Getting stuck into something that’s new to everyone, makes us all a bit vulnerable as we’re all in the same boat.  The pressure from work is removed and you can see a different side to people, which only makes for a better working relationship going forward.

It opens conversations too, giving us the opportunity to share best practice among other things.  Heidi was most intrigued by the chat around Wetherby’s Mascot Gold Cup, which we were still buzzing from, given that two of the mascots were with us on the day.  The chat around the sausage costumes (Sam and Maddy still have the bruises to show from them) encouraged her to ask some questions and Michelle was delighted to share the background about the race.  We suggested that it would make a great fundraising opportunity for Ryedale Special Families next year and while we didn’t get to meet Graham, we look forward to seeing him take part!