Our Space December Newsletter

Your monthly Update From 58 Flaxley Road, Selby | Meet · Relax · Create · Achieve

Hello everyone

A warm December welcome from all of us at Our Space.

December at Our Space will be about slowing down, gathering together, and celebrating how far we’ve come

As we step into the final month of the year, we’ve been reflecting on just how much life, laughter, and quiet connection have filled the building this past month. November has been a busy one, but it has also carried that sense of community that makes Our Space feel like a home rather than just a place. As the days grew shorter, the warmth inside our walls only grew stronger, in conversations shared over tea, in creativity unfolding in our groups, and in the steady rhythm of people coming together simply because it feels good to belong.

Looking Back at November

November brought a wonderful mix of activity and connection, each part contributing to the growing sense of community that is taking root here. Our Parent Drop-In has continued to flourish. Each Wednesday morning, the tearoom is filled with the joyful sound of toddlers discovering toys, exploring familiar faces, and enjoying gentle play, while parents and carers take a breath, ask questions, share worries, and find support in one another. Cathy has helped create a space where people feel less alone in the early years of parenthood and the difference is already visible.

Our New Hope Club has continued to provide a friendly, safe space on Thursday mornings for people with learning differences, disabilities, or neurodiversity, along with their carers and support workers. It has become a place where people can relax without pressure, take part in calm activities, and chat in a way that feels natural and unrushed. The group’s steady growth is a testament to how much a gentle, welcoming environment is needed and appreciated.

Meanwhile, Knit & Natter has blossomed into a lively Friday ritual, filled with wool, homemade cake, and the kind of honest conversation that unfolds only when people feel at ease. Our Autumn/Winter bunting project added a lovely burst of colour to the room, with volunteers snipping, sorting, and stitching donated fabric into strings of bright triangles. These small creative acts have helped transform the room into a place that feels handmade and cared for.

Over in the tearoom, we have continued to gather regular visitors and curious newcomers, bringing together people of all ages to enjoy the place or simply share in the company of others. Whether someone stayed for twenty minutes or two hours, each visit added another thread of community here.

Self-Care Week was a meaningful addition to the month. Through gentle advice pop-ups and free blood pressure checks offered by Active North Yorkshire, we were reminded that wellbeing is not about doing everything perfectly, it’s about small acts of care that make our days easier and our minds calmer. The atmosphere that week was relaxed, curious, and open, which suited Our Space perfectly.

Toward the end of the month, we held our Christmas Table Top Sale, which was full of festive energy, homemade touches, and plenty of community spirit. The event was full of creativity and kindness, and it has left us hoping to build an even bigger and brighter Christmas event in 2026.

Thank you to everyone who visited, donated, or spread the word, your support helped create a truly festive day.

We also recently had the pleasure of welcoming officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team, who spent the morning speaking with local residents, learning more about Our Space, and sharing their wish to be more present in the community. It was encouraging to see genuinely warm conversations unfold, and we hope this becomes a regular partnership in the months to come.

Celebrating Our Young People

November was filled with creativity, growth, and fun for ZONE @ Our Space. As ever, the young people brought energy and imagination into the building. We kicked off the month with toffee apples and parkin-making, much to their delight. This filled Our Space with the unmistakable scents of Bonfire Night. Later in the month, the group explored rhythm, language, and confidence through a spoken word workshop, where they tried new ways of expressing themselves and sharing ideas.

Throughout November, the leadership scheme continued steadily, with young people earning points through teamwork, helpfulness, creativity, and consistent involvement. We’ve seen them step into responsibility, encouraging each other, and discovering their own strengths. This is exactly what the programme is designed to nurture.

On 18 December, we’ll take a quiet moment to recognise those who have completed their leadership credits this term. We’ll keep the celebration simple with a warm acknowledgement of a job well done, before they enjoy their eagerly awaited reward activity. This will be a Rage Painting session at Linda Karslake Studios in the new year. They’ve worked hard for this moment, and we’re excited to celebrate with them.

Christmas Crafts & Carols

Monday 22nd December

Before we close for the festive break, we are bringing everyone together for a gentle, joyful afternoon of creativity and community spirit.
From 1 pm to 3 pm, Laura from Art Is My Career will be running a free bauble-painting workshop, perfect for all ages, whether you’re crafting with children, coming along with friends, or simply looking for a mindful moment for yourself.

After a short break, from 4pm to 6pm, Alice and our volunteers will guide everyone through making origami star hangings. These delicate paper stars are simple, calming to fold, and look beautiful when hung at home. We’ll begin carol singing at 5pm, filling the room with familiar tunes, soft light, and festive warmth. With mince pies, mulled drinks, and hot soup available, the whole event is designed to be gentle, inclusive, and heart-lifting. A lovely way to draw 2025 to a close.

Volunteer Celebration

Volunteers are the backbone of Our Space. They greet visitors, pour tea, support sessions, help run events, tidy the rooms, encourage young people, and keep the building feeling warm and welcoming. This year, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to every single person who has helped Our Space thrive.

On Tuesday, 10th December, we’ll gather for our Volunteer Christmas Celebration, an evening of food, conversation, and appreciation. It’s our way of honouring the time, care, and kindness our volunteers have offered throughout 2025. We truly wouldn’t be here without you.

A Gentle Note on Wellbeing

December is often portrayed as joyful and bright, but we know it can feel very different for many people. Behind the celebrations, this time of year can bring pressure, memories, loneliness, or emotional heaviness. At Our Space, we want to honour all of it, the joyful parts and the tender ones too.

Wellbeing doesn’t have to be big or complicated. Often, it begins with small moments of care within an ordinary day.

A warm drink.

A slower breath before stepping outside.

Sitting near a window to catch a little winter light.

Allowing yourself to rest.

Chatting with someone who listens.

Showing yourself the same kindness you would offer to others.

If you can, try giving yourself one gentle thing each day this month. It might be a walk, a quiet moment with a book, lighting a candle, writing down something you’re grateful for, or simply taking the pressure off when things feel too much.

If this season feels heavy, please know you’re not alone. There is always someone ready to listen.

📞 Helplines & Support Over the Holiday Season.

Samaritans – 116 123 (24/7)
North Yorkshire Mental Health Helpline – 0800 561 0076
NHS 111 – Option 2 – Urgent mental health support
SHOUT Textline – Text 85258 (24/7)
Mind Infoline – 0300 123 3393

Age UK – 0800 678 1602
Citizens Advice – 0808 223 1133
Shelter Housing Helpline – 0808 800 4444
Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247
North Yorkshire Council Out-of-Hours – 01609 780780

North Yorkshire Police (Non-Emergency) – 101

Take care of yourself this month.

You are important, and your well-being matters.

If you need a friendly face or a warm space, you’re always welcome here whenever our doors are open.

🍪 Cosy Seasonal Recipes to Enjoy at Home

Spiced Biscuits

Warm, Simple, and Festive

There’s nothing quite like the smell of cinnamon and ginger drifting through the house on a cold December afternoon. These spiced biscuits are quick to make, inexpensive, and perfect for sharing.

To make them, cream together 100g softened butter and 100g caster sugar, then stir in 1 beaten medium egg. In a separate bowl, mix 200g plain flour, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and a small pinch of salt. Combine the wet and dry ingredients to form a soft dough. Roll the dough into small balls or press it gently into shapes, then bake on a lined tray at 180°C (160°C fan) for 10–12 minutes, until the edges turn lightly golden.

Once cooled, they’re crisp, comforting, and delicious dipped into a hot drink, especially after a chilly walk home or wrapped as a small homemade gift.

Winter Warming Soup

A Hug in a Bowl

When the weather turns colder, a simple homemade soup can feel like the most reassuring thing in the world.

Chop an onion, two carrots, and two potatoes, and simmer them with vegetable or chicken stock and a pinch of herbs until soft.

Blend for a smooth finish or mash lightly for a more rustic bowl. It’s cosy, filling, and perfect served with warm bread.

Make a big pot and keep some aside for lunches.

Both recipes can be made for just a few pounds and are perfect for sharing with neighbours or popping in the freezer for the busy days ahead.

🎅 Christmas Closures & New Year Reopening

Our Space will close for the festive break after Monday, 22^nd December.
We’ll reopen, and all regular groups will restart from Monday, 5^th January 2026.

We hope the break gives everyone a chance to rest, recharge, and spend time with those who bring comfort and joy.

Looking Ahead to January 2026

The new year brings a sense of fresh possibility for Our Space. All groups will return as normal, ZONE will kick off the year with its reward trip, and we’ll share new volunteer opportunities and winter projects as we settle into January.

We’re excited for everything 2026 will bring, and we’re grateful you’ll be part of it.

If you’d like to know more about volunteering, joining a group, or supporting our work in 2026, pop in, say hello, or email Alice coordinator@ourspaceselby.org.uk

🎁 A Festive Message from All of Us

Wherever you find yourself this month, whether you’re crafting with us, stopping by for a cuppa, or simply reading along from home, please know you’re part of the Our Space community.

As 2025 comes to an end, we want to say a genuine thank you. Whether you’ve popped in once or you come every week, whether you’ve volunteered, donated, helped, encouraged, or simply shared a moment of conversation, your presence has shaped Our Space into what it is today.

We wish you a Christmas filled with warmth, kindness, and the small joys that make this season meaningful.

We look forward to welcoming you back in the new year.

We’ll be back in January with more creativity, connection, and community news!

Warmest wishes,
The Our Space Team