Drum roll please! Here we go, the first celebration blog in the 2020 York Mumbler Love Local Awards!

Initially we said that we would only publish the comments when we got 5 or more but having read them all, we’ve decided to ditch that rule! Everyone who received a nomination deserves to read their message/s of thanks & support!

Thanks to our amazing award sponsor, Talk Talk UFO, we have some lovely certificates to give out to all nominees. We hope that it will be a lovely reminder for you in the future about how you adapted your classes & events and how grateful the York community are for everything that you do. If you are a nominee & you would like to claim your certificate then please fill in this quick form here so that we know where to send it to!

If you know any of the nominees, please be sure to tell them they’ve been nominated! We want to spread this lovely news far & wide!

Love from Emily & The rest of team at York Mumbler

P.S Coming next on Monday 6th July is the “Start Teacher” celebration blog.

If you are a winner, feel free to DOWNLOAD OUR WINNERS BADGE to display on your social media too.

Winners of the 2020 York Mumbler Love Local “Virtual Class, Activity or Event” Award 

(In alphabetical order)

Accessible Arts & Media

• AAM’s online session are all excellent & they’re doing tons of them! At least 2 Facebook live sessions per week since the start of lockdown. As well as may other fab pre-record sessions too.
• As soon as lockdown hit AAM got Facebook live sessions up and running. They do 2 sessions each week, a sensory music and a singing and signing session, both for anyone and everyone but especially for those with disabilities. Every single week they’ve delivered some kind of session, one week when they didn’t go live they put up prerecorded sessions for people to get involved with.
• Hannah has run a twice weekly Facebook session for sensory arts and signing and singing. It has been great to see her on the Computer and to join in with all the activities which I have missed since lock down begun.
• My son has a learning disability and was really missing his sessions with the Hands and Voices choir and the Movers and Shakers classes. The virtual classes of singing and signing and sensory music have been brilliant. So full of energy and fun. He can see comments of his friends that are also joining in and reconnecting with them is very important. It’s very easy to become isolated under lockdown and Hannah and Kelly at AAM are doing a great job of bringing friends together and enjoying music.
• The above charity is an umbrella with numerous groups included. We normally meet on a weekly basis, but now we can’t meet in person, they t still delivering the service through Facebook live and is brilliant – to b able to carry on with it in my kitchen is great – we still have a laugh as u can see the comments etc – brilliant x
• Their online sessions bring joy, creativity, learning and community to some of the most vulnerable people in our society. People who can be in ‘lockdown’ all their lives because communication is different and a struggle, and maybe apparently minimal, but who, like all of us, are full of creativity and flourish in a welcoming accessible environment. And the sessions are fun fun fun! For anyone and everyone really.
• They have continued to run Singing and Signing and Sensory Music sessions every week throughout lockdown, to keep some familiar content for their users. Hannah and Kelly have worked really hard to runs sessions that people can interact with, just as they would normally. It has been something familiar, and safe, in this crazy time.
• They’ve been running online sessions since the second week of lockdown for anyone to access for free. They create brilliant and inclusive music, singing & signing and sensory sessions for all ages. Everyone has a great time in the sessions and they’ve really become a huge part of everyone’s week. It’s helped give people something to look forward to, it’s supported those self-isolating to access creative sessions and some of the sessions have been created to support children at the local primary school to still access music-making sessions.

Alison Goodwin – Yoga

• Alison has been an extraordinary support to the pregnant and postnatal community since the very start. She seamlessly transferred her classes online without missing a beat; her ability to create community and safe space has remained despite the separation of us all; the lifeline of support through yoga, breathing and relaxation has just been amazing. Thanks Alison! xxxxx
• Alison has offered a range of brilliant yoga classes during lockdown which have been an absolute lifeline.
• The fabulous Alison Goodwin has been running postnatal yoga classes during lockdown which has been a real lifeline for isolated new mothers. She gives everyone a chance to speak and discuss any parenting challenges they’re having amongst peers, and has helped us feel slightly less isolated. Thank you so much for continuing to run these sessions online during lockdown.
• Alison has provided a full timetable of yoga classes for everyone to enjoy right throughout lockdown. There have been new classes meaning something for everyone and despite being online, she has still managed to keep the lovely relaxed feeling of going to yoga even whilst surrounded by the laundry, the children and the cats! Thank you Alison!
• Alison went above and beyond to support local mums while in lockdown. Her yoga classes are always important in supporting us but when everything was uncertain and we had no idea what nhs support we would get she was there listening, sharing and providing free support sessions for imminent mothers. It made an enormous difference to my mental well-being and provided a much needed space to discuss our worries and possible solutions. An absolute hero who prob has no idea the difference she made!
• An absolute god send to impending mothers! Alison’s classes provides much needed support and headspace during lockdown and were a wonderful space for sharing knowledge about the hospital and changes and our fears due to Covid. Alison even provides free support chats for imminent mother’s to prep is for labour and provide a much needed space to discuss and share with one another. She clearly also did this completely out of her concern for our mental wellbeing. Completely altruistic.
• For managing ante natal yoga classes through Zoom and keeping a lot of worried pregnant ladies feeling focussed on the ‘normal’ aspects of what we were going through and sharing our experiences in a very strange time.
• For seamlessly continuing the pregnancy yoga classes online during lockdown. She worked really hard to make it work for everyone and the connection with other mums to be which was provided by her class was invaluable during this time. She always endeavours to help people with any problems or queries they have and for pregnant women at the start of the pandemic this was so important. My pregnancy would have been so different without the weekly interaction with the group and Alison. Thanks for being so good at what you do!
• Her post natal yoga classes continued tirelessly via zoom and brought some normality to the week and meant I didn’t feel entirely robbed from the end of my Maternity leave. Still getting chance to check in with other mums. 😍
• Incredible support for pregnant women helping us all through the Pandemic. Alison immediately shifted her yoga classes to zoom and adjusted the format to increase the emotional support included in her classes, as well as continuing to facilitate companionship and gentle exercise. Conscious that many pregnant women were feeking anxious after being labelled as “vulnerable” and concerned about their healthcare/birth plans/support from family during that time, she also provided free meditation sessions and responsive support to keep the community alive and help ensure no one felt alone.
• Moving all yoga classes to zoom, adapting her provision to meet everyone’s changing needs. Holding space for us. Running day retreats at home. Keeping me sane.
• It’s been a lifeline to other mums and babies. Not sure how we would have survived lockdown without it.

ArtVenturers York

• Fab daily ideas I could soon put together which kept my toddler and school aged sons interested.
• Fab inspiration for little ones in lockdown
• For great community work with their VE Day celebrations in May. Also setting daily tasks online for everyone to join in with at home during Lockdown.
• Fun online activities which bring the classes into our home during lockdown for free. Always fun, interesting and uplifting.
• I get to be creative and play messy with all my friends. They kept us really busy while lockdown was on, with making Rainbows, Easter fun, VE Day and making lovely Sunflowers for our windows and lots more every day.
• Keeping kids entertained and parents sane, cheering up neighbourhoods with beautiful, colourful, artistic displays in the process, brightening everyone’s mood, particularly during lockdown.
• Sarah and Michelle are so friendly and welcoming, their enthusiasm is infectious. Happy children, happy parents!
• So much thought have gone into creating ideas for communities to be apart of this lockdown. The rainbows in the windows, Easter themed windows, VE day and the teddy bear hunt. It was lovely to be apart of and watching children’s faces as they passed our window.
• Their cheery creative posts have kept me and my children going through Lockdown. The creative ideas are easy to do and very effective. My children have loved every one! Definitely deserve recognition
• They have been a life saver for us during lockdown bringing fresh and creative ideas for us to do and keeping our children busy and spirits up. Always a welcome, friendly face. Thank you x
• They have provided lots of resources and ideas for myself and my family to do during lockdown. We have decorated our windows, made VE Day decorations, made bunting for Captain Tom’s birthday, planted sunflowers and lots more. All of which has definitely helped brighten our moods during lockdown!
• They’ve given non stop wonderful ideas to be creative and messy with children whilst being in lockdown. So grateful for them!!
• We loved lots of their activities and printable downloads – especially their VE Day activities 👏🏻

Attitude Dance Club

• Lesley Hill has provided dance lessons online throughout lockdown giving her students a focus, routine and continuity. School haven’t done anything like this so we really value the live lessons.

Avocado Events – For Mindful Mothers

• Mindfulness for Mums, online events, really helped me with reducing my anxiety during lockdown
• The online mindfulness for mums was so lovely and so needed during this stressful time. Working from home and looking after little ones is hard so it was great to have some dedicated ‘me time’ and pick up techniques for managing stress. Thank you!
• We’ve really missed their events but thoroughly enjoyed their virtual Mindfulness For Mums events. Just what is needed in these crazy times.
• Kate has held 2 of these sessions for free during lockdown. 30 minutes of ‘me’ time, with a guided relaxation and the chance for a chat with other mums. They’re soothing and have helped so much.
• It’s fantastic. Really helped me switch off and relax in such a stressful and uncertain time, with no other downtime.
• This helped my wife so much. I could see it was all getting to her, but after this class she was so relaxed and calm.

Baby Ballet York

• Carried on with weekly classes making the weekend a tiny bit normal!
• For providing a little bit of normality for my girls when everything around them has changed. Miss Gemma is a wonderful enthusiastic teacher and the girls love to see her on screen and join in with all the activities ❤️
• Gemma Tomasz has made it so enjoyable to continue with baby ballet doing live virtual classes and again helping us to provide a continuing routine
• It’s helped keep some sort of normality for our 2 year old who loves ballet and Miss Gemma. She loves that she can still do ballet. They have also gone beyond their usual classes and do extras through the week to help keep the little ones entertained
• Miss Gemma has been trying her best to keep routine and normality for her ballet stars. She has been doing the classes online live on fb for her ballet stars so they haven’t had to miss out. She’s so positive and upbeat for the children.
• Miss Gemma has continued the classes online throughout and has always maintained her happy and smiley attitude. She was extremely quick to organise the online classes immediately – well before any other classes went on line. My daughter loves her so much that she talks about her a lot and even cries when the class is finished that she misses Miss Gemma. Not only does she do the classes but she has sent out endless links to videos and activities daily. It is clear that she has worked extremely hard. And she had a number of young children herself. We can’t wait to get back to the classes.
• Miss Gemma has continued to run fantastically classes online, keeping some kind of normality for the children.
• Miss Gemma has ensured that over this strange time that my little girl has still had her ballet lesson, although very different at the moment it has been something consistent for her! Thank you!
• Miss Gemma has worked tirelessly to continue ballet classes online. She’s presented them live on Facebook religiously every week and has uploaded extra videos to keep us entertained. The production has been great quality too- she should be on TV!
• Miss Gemma quickly adapted to an online stream of our weekly Baby Ballet class so our little ones did not miss out and teaches each class with excitement and enthusiasm.

Baby Sensory York

• created a great class via zoom to entertain my little one during difficult times. Some great activities suggested for being at home too.
• Gleanna Oland has been amazing. From the week everything shut down she has done her classes Love online every week, adapted to the situation and reduced pricing. She’s been amazing and we’d have been lost without the weekly zoom call. It’s not easy to go live every week!
• With a newborn baby, it was difficult to attend any classes but the online classes have provided a little bit of normality and meant that my little one hasn’t missed out! Thank you!

BrightSparks CIC

• Brightsparks’ helping your child with emotional resilience during COVID-19 was really well timed, had great teaching and lots of good worksheets to take away.
• Fantastic, well organised course about helping kids and parents to be resilient during Covid-19. Lots of practical tools and worksheets to take away and try too.
• For the free Supporting your child‘a emotional resilience during COVID-19 course. This was a must do in lockdown, food for thought fir parents and easy exercises for children to try. Thank you.
  Full of very useful information
• I attended the Child Emotional Resilience webinar and it was brilliant. The presenters were really expert and provided very useful, engaging content in a way that felt I could help my children during this difficult time. It was a free course but I would happily have paid for it.
• I attended their online Emotional Resilience course which was excellent and really helped me
• I took part in the Supporting Your Child’s Emotional Resilience webinar and it was absolutely great. The content was really useful and delivered in a way that made it easy to t
• Really interesting and informative lectures. Excellent course.
• The charity work they do is amazing and the online courses have provided parents with much needed help and advice in this lockdown we have all faced.
• They run a great online course in resilience that is so relevant especially under the current circumstances. Parents and children will certainly benefit from this free resource
• They work so hard to make sure that people can access courses for free and are friendly, non judgemental and supportive.
• They work so hard to make sure that people can access courses for free and are friendly, non judgemental and supportive.
• This fantastic free course was so helpful at this challenging time. I have learnt such a lot, the free resources were fantastic and I feel so much calmer about the whole situation.

Busy Hands Virtual Playgroup – Nat & Rose

• Free, open to anyone weekly half hour of fun filled informal groups. Songs, stories and shout outs. Set up by the amazing Natalie Bell while heavily pregnant with baby 4. When baby arrives, Rose stepped in to help. Lovely to connect with people and 4&5 yr old really enjoyed.
• On a Friday when you’ve run out of inspiration g30 mins of singing and stories with personalised shout outs. Accompanied by craft and cooking ideas. All for free keeping connections going and children happy. All the more remarkable that Natalie has run this heavily pregnant and with a new born – as well as looking after her other 3 children xx
• Thank you for running a fantastic weekly playgroup that both of my children could engage with. We loved the stories, songs and shout outs and joining in with you both! You have done an incredible job and we’re very grateful. Huge congrats to Nat who also welcomed baby number 4, Foster during lockdown!

Capoeira Muzenza York – Jerri da Silva

• Jerri is so passionate about Capoeira and he very quickly organised several online classes per week to ensure the children haven’t missed out. He also played games with them through Zoom and kept parents informed with meetings about what the next step would be. Capoeira improves their balance, coordination and strength as well as developing their musicality. It was a life saver having online classes several times a week when everything was in lockdown. Thank you Jerri for your commitment and passion- you inspire us all!
• When Jerri knew we couldn’t meet in class in community centres around York he wasted no time in setting up online classes on Zoom. We were meant to have a grading event and completion in July so he wanted to make sure we kept training for that in some form.
• Jerri cancelled all invoices but continued to do zoom classes 6 times a week. He kept the children motivated and hepled to bring some normality to all the children that attend his classes. It was aleays more than a job for Jerri and lockdown has just shown how much he genuinely cares for our children.
• Jerri continued to provide martial art classes 3 times a week all through lockdown. Free of charge, keeping our children happy, busy and motivated

Caroline Turner’s Yoga

• Because it’s easy but it isn’t! She makes it easy.

The Yoga Revolution – Chloe Markham

• As soon as lockdown began Chloe moved all her classes to Zoom one of the first to do so. She is very innovative anyway. She has provided everything that her physical studio did, such as guest classes and beginners classes. Sending us emails and keeping us motivated and encouraging communication by other means such as social media so the group still gets to interact
• Awesome classes which have been a lifeline during lockdown and provided an online community (away from work colleagues). Who knew Zoom yoga classes were a thing last year and how pivotal they’ve become – thanks Chloe.
• Chloe is the founder of The Yoga Revolution; following lock down she has gone from class based yoga to all on-line sessions. She is enterprising selfless and puts her yogis first…
• Chloe, founder of The Yoga Revolution and resident yoga teacher, has been absolutely wonderful about making yoga teachings even more accessible and enjoyable online. Where maybe people are just conducting classes via Zoom, Chloe has really taken the extra step, to curate and send us accompanying playlists for each class, setting up an online archive of yoga videos for members to access any time, nurturing a beautiful, supportive Facebook group, giving personalised advice (via videos and emails), inviting guest teachers from around the world to give yoga classes and workshops, and offering really accessible, well-priced introductory rates for new members. She brings a great personal touch to all her classes and interactions, taking time to get to know every one of her members – no small feat considering how difficult it can be to remain personable and interactive during social distancing and with no physical contact or meetings. Actually, through lockdown, she’s made yoga more accessible for many of us who couldn’t previously go to her physical studio (due to travel/time restrictions etc). I’m an absolute fan and my yoga practice has been hugely enhanced by being able to connect with Chloe/The Yoga Revolution online and join her virtual yoga classes & events.
• Online class content delivery variety and support have been awesome and really kept me going. Chloe has been amazing!

Chokodee Martial Arts

• They have kept a variety of on line classes throughout an extremely difficult time whilst also having to look after their own families.

Ciara McCabe

• Keeping multiple cub packs occupied every week with innovative zoom events.

Clifton Moor 1st Rainbows / Brownies

• Virtual meetings and letter sent every week to keep the girls active

Coral Magson Swim School

• It has been lovely seeing resources & activities for all subjects, not just swimming, & for lots of different ages in the swim school’s fb community group.
• They have kept their Facebook page active through out lockdown with fun, creative and interesting posts!
• We have had a huge amount of input on the Facebook page. It’s been really encouraging to have little activities to participate in.

Dancestars

• Lots of different online classes and events to engage children of all ages

Derwent Danceworks

• Providing ballet online. Our daughter loved them and kept some normality for her! Thank you!
• They’ve set up an amazing, inclusive online dance programme with classes, competitions, socials. Definitely gone the extra mile.

Diddi Dance York

• Hayley and Lucy have done a fantastic job of delivering their usual cheery, sunny, energetic and engaging classes online, via Facebook live, without missing a beat! Well done and thank you!
• Hayley and Lucy have kept us dancing, making props and have even read us bedtime stories all for a VERY reasonable price. They are both very enthusiastic and my little girl loves hers shout outs on Facebook live!
• Hayley has kept us fit and entertained both in classes and during lockdown at home….massive thanks to the team xx
• Hayley is just lovely and enthusiastic and has introduced new activities to her business, such as bed time stories.
• My daughter loves to dance to anything! She loves the interaction with the other children in her class and especially her teacher Hayley. The online classes have been fantastic, when we haven’t been able to participate in the live classes they have been readily available online to catch up with. It really is a highlight of my daughter’s day. We can’t wait to get back to class but the online classes have really made a significant impact on lockdown life! Thank you

Dream Time Baby Massage

• Friendly, fun, reassuring sessions. Loved by my newborn, providing time for us to bond. Welcoming of older siblings, making time focused on the new baby comfortable for the older child whilst all at home together. Providing structure to the week and some adult company after the massage session is finished. We look forward to Dreamtime every week!
• Katie moves the sessions online as lockdown started. The sense of community has been a saviour in the last few months, along with providing some routine to our week. Katie has been welcoming and inclusive of older children joining in and it has been something that we have really enjoyed joining in with during lockdown.
• Starting at 4 weeks my now 6 months has loved every week of baby massage – the familiar songs, the soothing massage and the friendly cuppa (virtual) and chat after. Love it!!!

Dringhouses Scout, Cubs & Beavers Group

• AMAZING GROUP OF PEOPLE!! Straight away set up online zooms meeting each week, with plenty of activities for the beavers to enjoy. We have missed the yearly camp so instead all the leaders put together a jam packed weekemd of home activities for us all the enjoy with our families. This weekend will be remembered for ever, we have keep sakes which we made and plenty of photos. The leaders have done fantastic at trying something new and successfully keeping the groups still going in these very hard times. Well done everyone!!
• As soon as lockdown was announced, the group was quick to react and weekly video sessions were set up. Each week the staff/volunteers have worked so hard behind the scenes to come up with a themed session which often involves a craft, scavenger hunt and costume! The children have continued to work towards their badges and it have given them some normality at what has been a very strange and unsettling time for them. Group camp was due to take place in June, as this couldn’t go ahead in the normal way staff pulled out all the stops and set up a stay at home group camp. All the usual activities took place, through online tutorials and video calls. The whole family was encouraged to take part and all the children in the household received badges. Staff dropped off equipment for craft activities and planned a brilliant weekend. By the end of the weekend we were exhausted but we had such fun as a family. I can not thank the staff enough for all the support and fun they have created through throughout.

Eddie Vee

• Eddie has entertained online on Facebook every day during lock down. He’s entertained many viewers & my elderly mum who was isolating on her own at home. He’s been a star 👍

En Pointe Dance School

• All teachers have shown true dedication and kept Dance classes going online whilst also supporting their own families.
• Amazing teachers running online classes to keep children happy,for and focused during lockdown.
• Because they have carried on providing a little island of normality via zoom classes, allowing some routine to stay in place. Despite being via zoom the classes, feed back and corrections are still excellent
• En Pointe quickly enabled on line dance classes when the lock down began. This meant so much to my daughter who loves dancing. She has danced since she was 2 years old, the last 3 years with En Pointe. The teachers are amazing and always so encouraging. Online dancing has enabled my daughter to keep her fitness and techniques up to date.
• For providing amazing dance classes online throughout lockdown. The teachers have been amazing and are the best!
• For providing amazing online dance classes throughout lockdown!
• For providing online dance lessons throughout lockdown and for constantly checking on my daughters’ well being.
• Managed to get dance classes online quickly and have showed amazing support to all the students to ensure they keep their fitness and strength, even changing class times when children started to go back to school. They have been developing fun things to do for them to join in all the while they are struggling financially.
• Organised, easy to dial In, reliable!
• The classes have been amazing online, I cannot believe how well the teachers have adapted to teaching over zoom. The classes are just like been in the studio except at home!! The teachers engage with all the students and can give tips as they can see them.
• The school has provided virtual learning during lockdown u like many of other dance schools and this has helped my girls maintain their fitness but also continue to give them a routine which my youngest needs due to having difficulties around autism

Evolution Dance

• Hayley has been tirelessly running a full programme of really inclusive and engaging classes, with a special fun session every Friday for all of her pupils. She even took her awards ceremony on the road last week, presenting them outside people’s houses.

Explore Lego club by Dr Katherine Forsey

• This was really great. She has been sending videos every Saturday during this tough time. My children are really into Lego and this kept them happy throughout! I’d like say a big thank you to Dr Katherine Forsey.
• Amazing ideas each week for the lego club. Kept it alive with different and relative topics. Kids love ig
• Katherine has been regularly sharing her Outdoor Learning activities and lego club online throughout lock-down. They have given much needed inspiration for this newbie homeschooling mummy! A really great reminder that learning can happen anywhere and when you are playing and having fun
• Katherine’s ‘Mummy School’ posts have been inspired, she has created some really great content online packed full of homeschooling ideas & practical activities.
• Virtual explore lego club has been fab throughout

Fairytale & Dance Party Events York

• April at fairytale and dance party events has been recording princess birthday messages and messages for children to cheer them up throughout lockdown for free! We received a lovely message from Queen Elsa and April took the time to find out special facts about my daughter including who are friends are and what she got for her birthday and included them all in her message. She also did a competition on her Facebook page and we won some prizes and a visit from Princess Ariel which was amazing. The time she’s put into these free messages and free activities on her Facebook page just go to show how much she wanted to make a difference to children during lockdown and was so selfless of her. She definitely deserves recognition and is a lovely person!

Fantasy Cheer & Dance

• For all their amazing classes in zoom. Free classes every day of the week has been amazing. We love our cheer family.
• For always helping the kids learn and keep busy during this time and taking time out of their week to teach free classes!
• For continuing To provide free online dance Classes to their ever expanding club and supporting all their athletes and familys in this hard tome
• She has given the girls a focus throughout lockdown every day!! My little girl misses cheer dance and gym massively and this has enabled her to see her friends and stay active. Thank you fantasy 💜
• They have held up to 3 classes a day, via zoom every single week since lockdown, all FREE!! They have kept the whole team motivated and working hard for next season – classes have been everything from flyers, conditioning, jumps, tumble… all from the coaches home and all in their own time while working as well! This has kept my daughter focussed and with a sense on purpose throughout and we really couldn’t have got through this without them! The classes have been amazing and so well adapted to the environment – my daughter looks forward to them every day!
• Natalie and her team of coaches have provided online cheer/dance and tumble classes for their team everyday (sometimes twice a day) Monday to Friday. They have kept the team together and brought a bit of cheer into the homes of the team. The kids have loved seeing their team mates on line and it has kept them happy and healthy. Natalie and her team are so committed to the Fantasy family they’ve even done awards and always encouraging and bringing a bit of normality to the kids in these uncertain times!

First Position Dance & Performing Arts – Hannah Shields

• Hannah has gone out of her way to keep her dancers dancing with fun classes as well as extra focused workshops and fun princess activities.
• It was both of my daughters birthdays during lockdown & Hannah stepped in at the last minute to run a virtual Frozen dance party via Zoom after we had been let down by another provider. Hannah was amazing with all of the children & they all had lots of fun learning dances & playing games. She really saved the day & made my daughters birthdays special. I would highly recommend her!

A Gentle Beginning – Dorothy Marlen

• Providing online (Facebook and meetings) support for parents of young children
• Dorothy continued to provide support and guidance at no charge to all the families who previously attended her groups. She’s self employed as a sole trader but put the families’ needs ahead of her own, thank you.

Helen O’Grady Drama Academy

• The amazing thematic drama sessions have been helping my daughter a lot during lockdown.
• They have provided two drama session sin place of my sons usual one. Although my son found the transition to online classes tricky and was conscientious about participating at first he has grown in confidence over the weeks. Caryn has provided a safe and non-judgemental environment for my son to take part in the drama activities that he loves so much.
  Because Gemma has managed to adapt her classes into iHoglets, where the children can watch her perform a story (sometimes with the charming help of her little daughter Bea). She still engages children to go on an adventure with her, getting them moving, jumping, jiggling, turning into all sorts of animals of magical trees. This is so hard to achieve when you’re not face to face and yet, she managed this every single week. And because Gemma loves what she does so much and she’s an all around ace person, she decided to make the classes available to everyone. You pay what you can, if you can – if you can’t it’s for free. Her usual craft pert of the class is on her online blog. When the classes exploded from 30 people to 700 (!) per session she had to upgrade her Zoom and still the classes are pay if you can. I think this is an incredibly selfless move, with the mental and physical wellbeing of children at the absolute forefront, ensuring the children still have something to look forward to – until we can give her a squishy hug again in person.

Hoglets – Story Telling & Drama Classes

• Because since the first week of lockdown she’s been running 4 online classes a week for free, for everyone, and for children across the country and beyond. And we’re so incredibly proud of her.
• Gemma at Hoglets has done an amazing job taking her fabulous classes online. For a short time we were all engrossed and could forget about everything else that was going on.
• My children are too old to attend Hoglets’s online sessions but Gemma from Hoglets encouraged me to adapt my business to virtual sessions. I picked up lots of tips from her. Her support was amazing.
• The online Hoglets class is brilliant. In spite of it being over Zoom, Gemma hasn’t lost any of the fun and engagement of the usual class. The kids loved it!

Holgate Brownies

• Theyve held online brownies each week via zoom. My 7 year old had only just joined brownies and was very much enjoying it so very sad when the sessions had to stop and their pack holiday cancelled. But they returned via zoom! It’s been the only static thing in her week and definitely a highlight. Theyve put so much effort into coming up with virtual activities for the girls to enjoy whilst earning their badges and we are so grateful for the fun they bring each week.

JKS Karate

• Sessions through out via zoom. Not just the weekly session but been able to opt into up to three sessions week for half the normal price! Much needed structure to dm unstructured day!

Karen Baldwin – Flex Sports Therapy – Pilates Lessons

• Karen, has run twice weekly online pilates lessons for over 30 of her regular attendees during lockdown. Every lesson is different and every lesson is a joy (although tough!). She has accepted no payment recognising the need of the community to keep supple. (I hope her generosity will be rewarded through payment or gift when we are back in the flesh however!). She is fabulous and deserves massive recognition.

Katie Ventress School of Dance

• Katie and her team have been fantastic during lockdown, keeping us regularly updated with news and providing YouTube videos and Zoom classes for all of their students to access to ensure they don’t miss a class, all free of charge, even putting on extra zoom sessions with the teachers for hot chocolate, chats and bedtime stories for the little ones. My daughter has loved taking part in the little bear feet videos and it has been great to have something to look forward to each week to get us through this time.
• Miss Katie, Miss Laura and Miss Molly have been wonderful providing recorded lessons for all grades and dances, competitions, things to do at home, zoom classes and “hot chocolate” zoom sessions where they can talk to the children and vice versa and story time for the younget children. It has been great to have this familiarity and adds some structure to the day where my girls can do some dancing. Mummy also loves to join in as well!

Keeping it Crafty – Mim

• She works so hard to get York creating and all for no money she is a superstar

Kixx

• My son has really enjoyed the weekly video classes that Kixx have been uploading onto Facebook

Lingotot York – Louise Lawrence

• God send zoom lessons still going on throughout lockdown
• While Louise decided not to do a weekly French Zoom class for the preschoolers (their attention span struggled with it a bit), she has done regular videos which have brought my 2 year old so much joy. We can’t wait to get back to classes!
• Louise has brought her energy and enthusiasm into our home every Tuesday via Zoom as she engages the children with learning Spanish. She has been such a breath of fresh air and has become a highlight of our week! I had not seen my daughter as animated and excited for weeks, like she was after her first class with Louise in lockdown. My daughter is constantly asking me on Tuesdays if it is time for Spanish yet. Louise is great at getting the kids involved and learning the language. I love watching my daughter looking so absorbed in the class and really concentrating to learn and participate. Wow!

Lisa Marie Performing Arts

• Miss Amber has hosted zoom classes every Saturday since the beginning of lockdown, it was difficult for my little girl to begin with but has really enjoyed it and they have even had a princess party for the little ones and my little girl loved it so much so thank you
• My daughters weekly zoom dance class has kept us in a bit of normality in these strange times! It has been something she looks forward to and the staff have all worked so hard over the lockdown period to keep the kids occupied even sending out activity packs! They definitely deserve an award!
• The dance school are such a family and they have adapted all classes to zoom or videos sent with individual feedback. My child is fitter, stronger and happier for the contact and warmth from teachers as well as connecting with friends in the zoom calls. Lisa Dakin has given many projects to help children keep distracted and feel they are achieving in this time. She sent age appropriate projects to every child including my 20 month old and 12 year old. These teachers are rare gems that are truly dedicated to the children they teach. All have had their own difficulties but have given more than we could have expected to all our children. First class and really provided with love.
• The teachers at LMPA have been so supportive and motivational to their pupils during this difficult time. Their online classes have kept my daughter in a routine and happy to be with other children. They’ve offered a range of amazing workshops with professional dancers on top of running classes and tutorials. How they got this organised and up and running so quick is beyond me – I am so grateful for all they have done.
• They have consistently run all their classes online since lockdown. Providing every student with personal feedback to improve their dance techniques. The hours the staff have put in has been remarkable and we all really appreciate it
• This is the most amazing dance school which my daughters have the privelage of being a part of…the teachers have gone above and beyond to make the transition from studio lessons to virtual classes. The teachers have worked so hard to make an unprecedented time easy and still super enjoyable, the children are thriving and even learning whole routines via virtual means. They deserve this for the hard work and dedication and untold hours that has gone into making this possible for these dance crazy kids, ( even getting parents involved to make people smile in a time of uncertainty) #bestdancefamilyever

Little Yorkshire Dance Academy

• For providing amazing virtual ballet classes through all of lockdown for little ones Thank you!
• Keeping the under 5’s active and healthy at the same time as educating and giving them confidence and discipline through dance.
• The little Yorkshire dance academy have been offering online classes to both members of their dance academy as well as siblings. These have been both pre recorded classes and live classes so children can interact with staff and peers.

Lucy’s pop Choir

• Its been something to look forward to every week and you can see all your choir buddies via the Zoom classes and have a good laugh whilst singing some awesome songs.
• Lucy has been great at providing her pop choir on zoom over lockdown. Her enthusiasm and teaching us new songs and keeping us in touch with our Pop Choir friends has been lovely. A highlight to my week.
• Lucy set up a virtual choir as soon as we were advised not to meet up. This has been on every week and her usual enthusiasm has still been there and has really kept me going through all this and have still been able to see our friends.
• Lucy is like sunshine on a rainy day! She has moved her choir classes online and has gone above and beyond to try and keep us all smiling -she arranged lots of feel good tunes and pop quizzes to keep us entertained!

Magic Mal

• He has put lots of short, free videos on his facebook page and my daughter will sit really still and watch him! She also interacts with him (even though it’s not live!) and I love watching er enjoying the magic show!

Martial Arts 4 U

• All the coaches at the club pulled together producing daily classes to keep everyone going.
• Continued the love of kickboxing. Fun, motivational and enjoyable. Provided every form of class possible whilst keeping within lockdown rules.
• Every day since lockdown started, the team have worked endlessly to provide kick boxing classes for the kids and adults of Martial arts 4 U! Especially Nicki Pratt who has started her own fitness group to keep us adults feeling good, like we have someone to talk to and offers advice on healthy eating and exercise etc! It has done wonders for the children and the adults mental health during this tough time!
• They have provided hundreds of online lessons, on several different platforms, in order to cater for everyone and their own personal preferences.

Messy Beans

• Good ideas, educational and lots of fun Uses item that we will have Good clear instructions
• The owner posted really useful and helpful videos and photographs to help with ideas over Lockdown. Fantastically aided by her daughter the videos were informative and fun!

Millfield Fitness Studio

• Continuing to provide support and keep the team motivated. Adapting their ways of working and always having a smile on their face!
  Because they are awesome!!! They have gone from full time gym to full time online classes, cookery classes and so much more. They have been totally flexible and changed and adapted to meet people’s needs and keep people engaged and motivated. I always struggled to get to class because of my job but the online classes have meant I can now do as much or as little as I like live or on catch up. They’ve run competitions and quiz nights and just generally been amazing. It’s also worth nothing that one of the instructors has done all of this whilst suffering from hideous morning sickness- she has been an absolute trooper. The classes have just made lockdown so much easier. I can’t think of a more deserving team.
• Continual provision of a wide range of fitness classes to new and existing members online.
• For keeping us sane during lockdown, with cheer and the endorphin hit from exercise. For incredible flexibility in moving online so we’ll.
• I have been a member at Millfield futness for 4 years and regularly attended 4 or 5 sessions a week. I am so grateful to Debbie Lycy and team for providing 22 sessions a week on line. I have tried classes I would never have attended previously. Kat has contacted me in group chat and personally to keep me motivated despite breaking my hand in a fall. I feel my mental health would have suffered without them.
• I have had access to online support and fitness sessions off all types (Pilates, yoga, Barre and group PT) throughout the whole of lockdown. They have been doing weekly cookery classes to help encourage healthy eating and mindset as well as online quizzes to help the community. Lucy Nickson in particular has been doing this whilst in early stages of pregnancy and feeling pretty green at times due to sickness yet she battled through and delivered top notch classes. Debbies food lives have been invaluable to me and my sanity and I have managed to stay fit and lose a few inches! Can’t thank them enough for all they have done
• Inspirational hard working Nothing too much trouble Amazing feel good classes They have worked so hard for very little return I susoect . Made a huge difference to do many peoples wellbeing without a doubt
• Lucy and Debbie who own Millfield Studios have run over 22 live classes every week from 7am to 8.30pm even though Lucy is 20 weeks pregnant and both her and Kat already have children so have been fitting it around them. They have kept their family feel and made everyone part of their community.
• Lucy, Debbie and Kat have offered virtual classes (20 plus per week) as well as WhatsApp buddy groups to keep you motivated and we get to check in with each other about all things from fitness to cake…they’re great for both body and mind in these strange times
• Running 22 virtual classes a week , yoga, Pilates , group fitness over face book and zoom , amazing team dedication
• The team at Millfield have moved to delivering online classes via Facebook Live and Zoom and have kept us all motivated and smiling through all the challenges of lockdown. I’m amazed at how Lucy, Debbie and Kat, supported by Katie, Carla and Becs, have been able to create valuable moments in my day despite not being able to be with them in the studio. They’ve made keeping fit really easy and engaging during a period where I’m always 10 steps from my kitchen! I honestly don’t know where I’d be without them and I can’t wait to see them all in the studio again soon!
• Their online virtual classes have been both live and recorded on a variety of platforms so no one has been kept out. They’ve got a wide range of classes on and WhatsApp groups to keep in contact. They’ve done online challenges and cooking classes to keep everyone connected.
• Their regular online classes and community really have help me and my wife stay healthy during lockdown. Their warmth and professionalism together with their range of classes has been an absolute joy.
• They responded to the current situation within hours, moving exercise classes online. They provide over 22 different exercise classes per week and have helped keep its members sane throughout lockdown. They provide daily motivation and encouragement, they have created group chats for members so everyone feels fully supported, not to mention the laughs and talk of cake. Could not have go through this without them. I have even enjoyed doing cardio something I never thought I would say, all thanks to the team at Millfield.
• Since lockdown began Millfield has adapted its business model and moved its classes online, offering 2-3 classes per day on facebook live/zoom and catch up. There is a mixture of classes to suit all tastes and needs as well as online cookery demonstrations and social quizzes, and competitions. The team have made a huge effort to support their clients both physically and mentally through setting up ‘buddy’ WhatsApp groups to provide emotional support and motivation. They’ve kept me sane and they’ve done it always with a friendly smile.

Mini Munchkins – Laura Drake

• Laura runs a baby massage class teaching baby massage to new parents. I work alongside her in our Teaching Assistant role and she talks so passionately about her business and the genuine care She has for her attendees shines through. She has taken her classes online due to the pandemic but still ensures small classes so she gets to know all involved. I can only imagine how lovely the classes are, especially for mums coping at home with a new baby.
• Fantastic online baby massage classes! 😊
• I’m so, so thankful I found this online class. I’ve learnt so many amazing things and Laura who runs it is just amazing! She’s so knowledgeable and put me totally at ease the second her class started. I think I left feeling just as calm as my baby! Thank you Laura! You really do deserve all the recognition receive!!
• So great the sessions have carried on online. Vital for new parents! Top quality sessions, very friendly and informative.
• Such brilliant online sessions, so relaxing too.
• The support Laura has given me over lockdown has been utterly invaluable. Her online baby massage class was a godsend, it was so nice to meet other new mums and chat about ‘mum things’!
• Laura is fantastic
• They gave me the chance to meet other mums and learn skills for comforting and bonding with my new boy in a friendly and welcoming and supportive environment when I was feeling isolated with my newborn. Her classes are amazing and so informative abd my boys absolutely loved massage time. Laura is so friendly and caring and approachable
• I attended the classes when they were face to face and ABSOLUTELY loved them… But then when lockdown happened I saw that not only had Laura adapted and created virtual classes so that new mummas didn’t miss out on this amazing bonding time, she had also started to regularly post things that we could do with our babies etc going above and beyond her role. Furthermore she even posted motivating stuff to keep us going through these difficult times. She definitely deserves to win!

MJT Pilates – Melanie Taylor

• Set up Zoom classes for all her sessions and sent out instruction sheets and even posted videos on YouTube so that we could all carry on with our exercise despite not being able to go to class. Just brilliant.

MPRS

• Mike of MPRS is brilliant! He completely changed the way he did things to make sure we were still keeping relatively fit, or at least active, in lockdown. I used to go to 2 sessions a week & was so relived to hear he was moving to online. Not only did he do his regular sessions he added a bonus session on a Monday, Quiz Night on a Wednesday evening & a Coffee Morning on a Saturday. Mike has been fantastic & its been so lovely to see all the faces of other members of the ‘club’ when we’re on zoom – LOVE IT!!!!

My Baby Can Dance

• Her videos have been a god send for me keeping my 1 year old and 3 year old entertained for hours, and it made my son’s birthday when she did him a special message.
• Wonderful zoom classes and Facebook videos. My two year old now asks to see Katherine on TV all the time. Katherine manages to maintain her energy and the engagement of the children even via Zoom. Her daily videos always make me and my little one smile.
• Gave us continuation during lockdown of my son’s usual weekly class. Has been available on Zoom and Facebook. My son looks forward to it and has learnt so much. Has kept mum going when the going got tough. Cant thank them enough.
• I started taking my daughter to this class when she was 4 weeks old back in January and was gutted when it had to finished as my daughter had just started giving something back and really enjoying the classes and I thought she would forget and it would all be wasted so when Katherine started the online classes we joined in and it was fantastic my daughter was just 3 months then and would lay looking at me while we joined in and her big sisters got involved too she’s now 6 and a half months and lives the classes she sits and watches laughing and smiling away at Katherine and myself and her older sisters live to do the classes with her too this has kept my daughter so entertained throughout lockdown and kept the special time we had doing the class going for us
• Kath has been an absolute superstar since the start of lockdown She has been putting on FREE classes throughout the week so little ones can still have some normality and routine. Her commitment and enthusiasm has amazed me and she has kept it up week after week. Kath has also done birthday parties so birthdays an still be special and what is a very strange and unsettling time.
• Kath has gone above and beyond during lockdown, She has continued to provide her classes FREE of charge throughout, giving up her time to ensure little ones can enjoy some familiar time. Well done Kath, just amazing.
• Katherine has been an absolute star during lockdown doing zoom classes and posting videos on Facebook, it’s such a fantastic class!!
• Katherine has been an absolute star throughout lockdown. Her classes are brilliant in person but she’s been fantastic and put them online on Facebook and also done zoom sessions throughout. It’s so helpful having a something to Do to entertain your little one when we can’t go out etc. Can’t thank Katherine enough!
• Katherine has been truly amazing, when lockdown started she quickly set up zoom and mini Facebook classes to enable families to have some normality and routine in their lives.
• Katherine is my wife 😃 so I’m baised and I’m also reguarly sit just to the side off camera dealing with all the technical issues around hosting a Zoom class. Its a real team effort and i love to see the obvious joy on the childrens faces when they are doing some of the songs etc
• Katherine Peak is fantastic
• Lovely classes and brings normality to our weekly routine. My little boys face lights up when he sees Katherine’s face on the computer screen.
• My 3 year old loves My Baby Can Dance, when the live shows come up on Facebook he steals my phone. He likes singing all the songs. My 5 year old who used to attend the groups before she started school has also enjoyed doing the online class.
• The My Baby Can Dance leaders from the York area have been providing a full timetable of Zoom classes and pre recorded videos of dancing and singing plus additional stories at bedtime. They have been a godsend.
• Because Katherine has been incredible, providing free my baby can dance classes to us all. She really has gone out of her way (usually 3 times a week) to keep a smile on our little ones faces and keep a bit of normality.

New Leaf Physical Training

• Ben has me in stitches with his online classes, making working out fun. He has adapted to the unknown and I adore his classes. Will never forget singing along to no Music or Yoga with Alba.
• Thank you for keeping the Mrs entertained and the kids joined in too

Nicola Betts – Tiny Toes, School Choir & Wellbeing Choir

• For continuing the school choir rehearsals undeterred by lockdown. Nicola has been delivering an uplifting weekly online choir session for the children (and any parents who fancy joining in). The kids have loved having this opportunity to see their friends and sing together. This has been especially precious for Year 6s who have missed out on so much of their final year at primary school. Nicola’s energy and enthusiasm are infectious and her dedication is much appreciated. The choir is a joy.
• It’s the only online class my little boy has wanted to watch. We usually attend this class each week in acomb and miss it a lot. But this has kept him going
• Nicola has been amazing at keeping pre school children entertained with music. As well as her weekly session she has posted songs daily for the little ones to sing or play along to. Her enthusiasm is infectious & the children (& adults) love her.
• The Youngsters were really happy to see Nicola’s smiling face singing their songs for them to join in (Facebook) and her daughters sometimes accompanied her – Great Family Morale Booster.
• We were able to link up with Nicola and some others from a group of people in Acomb. We had a virtual singing session which really lifted my spirits. Nicola has also posted herself singing some of our familiar song so that we can sing along with the video. She really knows how to cheer us up with her positive attitude.
• Nicola has made a massive effort to maintain delivering a long music session online every week during lockdown jam packed with old favourite children’s songs, Nicola’s own songs (which are super catchy and brilliant) as well as bringing out different instruments. We look forward to them so much just as we did attending them in person. Thank you! It has made our lockdown so much brighter!
• Having a weekly sing song with Nicola has been a highlight of our week. We have a drink and biscuit break which includes a show and tell. We’ve sung together and encouraged each other
• This is a huge part of my wife’s week, a wonderful creative outlet. Even with the difficulties of singing online, joining these sessions has given her a real lift.
• A free weekly class that you can watch again and again, Nicola has been a great addition to our activity list. From the good old originals to her new songs, all sung and performed from her kitchen. We also love being abe to do ‘shout outs’ to our friends.
• Excellent weekly sessions for all to enjoy. Grandchildren loved the different themes and learning how to sign. Other songs put on line throughout . Two year old twins and a five year old engaged for the whole session and then singing the songs throughout the week. Just brilliant
• Live stream session every Thursday
• My grandchildren, who live in Surrey, love her and it so beneficial for young children to have fun singing.
• Nicola Betts has been entertaining all the little ones online during COVID 19, with puppets, drums, guitars all sorts of music instruments and included all the family.
• Nicola has done Tiny Toes sessions every week virtually by streaming live on Facebook and it has been fantastic! We have really enjoyed the sessions, we went every week before lockdown. They have been a real boost during this time, Nicola is so cheerful and positive, we love the fact we can access the sessions later in the day or on a different day. Nicola has written many new songs which we have really enjoyed!
• Nicola has provides us with hours of entertainment during lock down with her wonderful online music classes. Thank you!
• Nicola has run an online class every week on a free/ voluntary donation basis which my children have loved. It’s given some regularity and also continuation of seeing a familiar face (we attended actual sessions prior to lockdown). Nicola is always cheery and upbeat and very interactive with the children during the online sessions.
• Nicola normally runs a local weekly group for little ones and their carers but during lockdown she is doing this online. It is a wonderful way of still bringing music and joy to her group. She puts her all into this, and the little ones along with parents, grandparents and friends are able to participate in all the fun with Nicola and watch her singing and playing musical instruments. She puts her all into everything she does and brings such joy to all.
• Nicola runs very successful baby music groups around York which she has maintained through lockdown with weekly live sessions and regular song videos. She has been supported by her wonderful family with her teenage girls joining in to encourage the little ones to sing, make noises, move about, learn sign language and most of all, have lots of fun. She has run themed sessions and written many new songs, reached out to grandparents and provided an inclusive experience. I’ve no kids but have loved watching her enthusiasm and talent shining through!
• Very popular and warm community singing company who have kept posting songs throughout the lockdown and running their weekly live show.
• We usually attend Nicolas Music group every week. With the current situation Nicola has had to change the way she’s does things and do her sessions virtually every week keeping us all in high spirits with her lovely group. She’s doing an amazing job thinking of different songs and themes so keep our children engaged and my daughter adores watching week in week out. We can’t wait to be able to see her face in person again. Thank you Nicola and we miss you!
• On line singing that has helped many people in the lockdown to come together and sing.

Northern Dance Academy

• A big thank you to Northern Dance Academy, who have continued dance classes online throughout lockdown. Being able to maintain a bit of my normal routine has been excellent and kept me active (and sane) in these turbulent times. Despite not being able to have our annual show, which all teachers and students were working very hard for, the positive energy in online classes has been wonderful to experience. A huge thanks to Sarah, Christie, and Stacy!
• A great dance school, disappointed not being able to perform in the annual Dance Show and has continued to provide virtual dance classes with great enthusiasm .
• Bringing ballet classes online. This has been an extremely challenging time for Sarah and her family being struck down with illness during this time and still being dedicated to deliver lessons herself or through partners. She really has gone above and beyond all expectations to keep the school running and always with a smile. We wish her a speedy recovery and can’t wait till we can all have face-to-face studio time again soon.
• Since I usually attend 5 classes a week at the studio, I’ve so appreciated having so many online dance classes to join during the past few months. NDA were quick to start offering them, and there has been an even broader range of classes than the studio offers! It’s been great to keep active and stay in touch with my classmates and teachers. Thank you NDA!

Number Fun Live – Dave Godfrey

• Number fun live on you tube has just been fantastic during lockdown. Dave Godfrey lives in our village and started the 30 minute shows at 10 am every day probably thinking it would just be for a few weeks but he did over 50 shows for ks1 children and then started shows for ks2 children 2. We watched the sessions every day at 10 and it really became part of our lockdown routine. The shows were such fun with catchy shows and dances and maths activities to have a go at at home. My children are 7 and 3 and it was one of the few things that they could both enjoy together and which could be adapted to suit both ages. We lied it so much that when they finished my daughter named one of her teddies ‘number fun dave’ and we have started watching all the shows again on you tube. Dave also runs a number fun portal which has so many different activities on it. He made it free for parents to download at the start of lockdown. Dave has given up so much of his time to entertain and educate our children and we really are so grateful for everything he has done. Xxx
• Number Fun mathematics consultant Dave Godfrey ran live online maths classes for children on YouTube for 9 weeks and offered free access to his teaching resources online. His classes were fun, engaging and really effective. He has written and recorded over 200 songs which make learning maths so much fun and help children remember what they have learnt. (I myself can’t stop singing the songs!) He went to extensive efforts to record clips with him dressed as various characters and animals and he transformed his own garden into a many different scenes. He also ran some live question and answer sessions for parents and teachers in the evenings. For me and my two children Number Fun Live shaped our lockdown and we will never forget the live shows.
• Amazing energy so much planning and prep went into every session. The kids LOVED it. He kept it up all through lockdown and was genuinely a lifeline!
• Fabulous age appropriate daily live YouTube programme watched throughout lockdown- now on repeats. Great fun, lively songs – fanstatic at engaging in an age appropriate way for distance learning.
• Great online YouTube Number Fun Live Sessions

Ouch Potato

• Despite lockdown, within a few days Steve and Amy had set up ‘virtual Ouch’ – setting up a dedicated members live workout video page on Facebook with regular workouts from the gym team, as well as creating a non-member page to encourage anyone and everyone to get involved. The Ouch team also hosted virtual quiz get togethers so everyone could socialise too and keep spirits up. The virtual sessions have definitely helped me keep up with my fitness that I would have otherwise lost.
• For moving all their fitness classes online. For going round York and actually lending members of the gym their own equipment for the duration of the gym being shut. For doing live fitness classes. To be able to have a laugh and a giggle and feedback with other members OMG their Facebook. And for boosting my mental wellbeing by motivating me.
• The whole team , led by Steve and Amy Paffett , worked enthusiastically to produce a completely new virtual gym environment ,and made EVERYBODY feel welcome and able . Without them I would have become a couch potato .
• They have been giving multiple online classes daily for their members with plenty of check ins! They are giving a variety of classes (which must be pretty tough after 12 weeks!) They have been so supportive of their members and their journeys through this unprecedented time!

Patricia Veale School of Dance

• A ballet teacher completely changing her classes to online delivery. It was clear Kelly had never done this before and as a small business she’s had to work all this out herself. Ballet lessons have continued! Kelly expects her same high standards – my daughter puts her uniform on, does a perfect bun etc. To have these lessons continue through this time has been so valuable. My daughter has three lessons every week with Kelly. School haven’t provided any so we truly appreciate these. Kelly even put on a father’s day session so my daughter could share her ballet with her dad.
• Fantastic school with wonderful virtual lessons, including Dads Dancing Day
• From the onset of lockdown PV School of Dance, and our fabulous Kelly Clarey, have continued to run online dance classes for all ages from the comfort of the children’s homes. Thus enabling them to continue to pursue their passion, dance with their friends, express themselves, maintain confidence, spend time with their adored dance teacher, feel valued, supported and loved through this difficult period. We are so blessed to have Kelly and the school helping to keep our childrens’ minds healthy, happy and active when everything else around them is falling away – it can only be of great benefit to them in the future. And #dadsdancingday was fabulous – testimony to Kelly’s draw and children’s adoration of the art form, that had so many Dads dancing with their children in celebration of Fathers’ Day yesterday 20th June 2020!! Kelly is an absolute superstar ⭐
• I think the school is amazing for her students, she has adapted to virtual classes and held an amazing dad’s dancing experience
• Principal Teacher Kelly Clarey has worked tirelessly since Lockdown ensuring all students can keep dancing and the day before Fathers Day she hosted her classes for students and their Dads to join in. It was such a brilliant experience – so much lockdown laughter and amazing team spirit from the school family – over 70 dads participated and so many Zoom smiles (and tears of laughter from mums capturing what they describe as the best lockdown bonding and a lockdown day they will never forget for the happy reasons). Kelly described the day as the best day ever teaching. She is an amazing teacher and keeping so many young happy with postivie mental health during this challenging time. She is so dedicated to the school, and took over from the late Patricia Veale over 10 years ago now. It would be just wonderful if she was acknowledged for the love, passion and happiness she brings to all that dance with her.
• The best dance school with the best teacher/s Miss Kelly has done an amazing job at keeping classes running and making sure we’re confident to go back to the studio once everything’s back to normal, she’s making sure we’re stretching and working hard and still manages to notice the slight bend of the knee even when looking at a full class! I can’t wait to be back in the school though!
• The weekly classes with Miss Kelly have been invaluable, not just for their gentle encouraging teaching but also for being a constant throughout lockdown. We know it’s Saturday because it’s ballet day, even though without having to go anywhere to join in.

Peacock Tree Yoga – Lilley Harvey

• Lilley has been an absolute inspiration and a rock though out lockdown. She has seamlessly brought her weekly yoga classes online and they really have kept me going through this difficult time. Lilley’s energy and positivity have helped to keep me grounded, and I honestly don’t think I could have survived lockdown without my yoga classes. Thank you so much Lilley!! 🦚 ❤️

Phonics Stars – Tricia Goodall

• Phonic stars York is a new class franchise in York, others being down south. It is ran by Tricia Goodall who is also a full time childminder and mum of 2. Phonic stars York is a fantastic class that supports children ages 2-5 with all aspects of learning and development. My son started when he was 2 and now he is 3.5 and he can read short words. Tricia also supports the childminding children who thrive in these classes, aswell as other children that attend.
• The children have really enjoyed continuing to learn Phonics, numbers etc from home through fun online classes! They have been very much needed in a time of home-schooling and keeping the children’s minds refreshed for when they eventually go back to school!
• Tricia has really taken herself outside of her comfort zone to bring her phonics classes to everyone online. She wasn’t comfortable at all in front of the camera but she has done a brilliant job of sharing phonics stars with everyone. I really hope that when things rerun to normal that people attend the in person classes as there is so much to be taken from the classes and of course it’s a lot of fun too! Well done on pushing yourself and sharing the classes
• Running fantastic Phonics Stars classes on-line! A passionate and dedicated individual! Committed to supporting children and families within York. Determined to make a difference!

Phonics with Robot Reg

• managing to keep my son engadged and having fun over a video link.
• My two children absolutely love this class, full of energy, Sam really connects with the children and they are learning without even realising it.
• Sam has done an amazing job in the current circumstances of having to change and adapt her classes to become virtual. She still has the same amount of energy and enthusiasm doing the class at home via Zoom as she did in the regular classes. It really has been nice for my daughter to see a familiar face in these strange times and has given us something to look forward to each week.
• Sam has made the classes so much fun while we are not able to do them in person they are interactive and every week are lots of fun for the little ones
• Sam is absolutely fantastic both in person and online. She adapted for online classes swiftly and has been very successful in doing so. Her classes are in valuable and my 4 year old read her first word this week without picture clues. She now recognises most letters and some digraphs.She loves the classes, as do I. What a start it provides before she heads to school.
• Sam is excellent at working with the children and getting important phonics messages across via a range of different techniques. My son loves the classes and variety of Sams classes. Sam is always enthusiastic and keeps the children focused. Well done Sam
• Sam is fantastic in adapting classes for online. She keeps classes fun, interactive and also educational to support childrens early literacy. We love the fine motor skills activities we can complete at home to support hand and eye coordination to support early mark making. I would definitely recommend this class for under 5\’s. Thank you Sam!
• Sam made the virtual versions of these classes so enjoyable. We really missed going to class when lockdown started but Sam got the virtual classes up and running straightaway and they were brilliant! Thank you Sam!
• Sam made the virtual versions of these classes so enjoyable. We really missed going to class when lockdown started but Sam got the virtual classes up and running straightaway and they were brilliant! Thank you Sam!
• The teacher Sam is a brilliant work with encourage, entertainment and enthusiasm. My son loves her class and learns a lot from her. We really recommend her as a teacher.
• These classes have brought my 3 year old and 15 month old a sense of normality throughout lockdown. They have been a highlight of our week.
• Sam is a fantastic teacher who clearly loves what she does. I know that the switch to online classes has been difficult to get to grips with but she has made them really fun and interactive for the children. I can’t recommend them enough.
• Super engaging online phonics classes, great communication and organisation. Links sent out in good time and information provided to ensure the classes are ‘hands on’ and interactive for children at home. Sam’s sunshine personality shone through our screens and have resulted in lots of learning but more importantly fun and routine in crazy strange times. Thank you Sam for all your hard work the progress the children make and the smiles on their faces really are down to you!
• Sam has been amazing! She has translated her energetic weekly phonics classes very quickly, to weekly exciting and engaging virtual classes. With her style of class this must have been a huge challenge for her. She has been emailing us files for each week to print so we can still do the same activities in our home while having her amazing enthusiasm and energy on screen, getting all the children to join in. Our child was so excited to be able to get to the last letter in the alphabet during lockdown. Sam is a zooming star!
• Sam has been amazing! She has translated her energetic weekly phonics classes very quickly, to weekly exciting and engaging virtual classes. With her style of class this must have been a huge challenge for her. She has been emailing us files for each week to print so we can still do the same activities in our home while having her amazing enthusiasm and energy on screen, getting all the children to join in. Our child was so excited to be able to get to the last letter in the alphabet during lockdown. Sam is a zooming star!
• Phonics was a big part of our week before Lockdown. Not just the learning of phonics but the energy Sam brought to the class and teaching/learning phonics and the social side with seeing friends that day. So grateful Sam has been able to do the virtual classes. We’ve been able to see friends and continue my daughter’s learning ready for ‘big girl school’ in September whilst she’s not been able to attend preschool. It’s helped keep some sort of normalcy for her with the isolation she’s had to endure. The sessions are really interactive and Sam brings the energy needed to keep the children as entertained as possible.
• Before lockdown I enjoyed taking the children that I childmind to Sam’s phonics classes which they thoroughly enjoyed. When we went into lockdown Sam continued to run virtual classes from home so that the children could continue their learning at home & keep a little bit of normality as well as having fun. I’m sure this was not always easy when Sam was trying to home school her own children as well. We look forward to returning to Sam’s real classes when it is safe for them to resume.
• Sam is just amazing at engaging the children with interactive games. We had never been to classes before lockdown but my daughter absolutely loves Sam and Robot Reg and her phonics has improved too.

Poppleton Under 5’s

• Mandy and the team have taken great care to arrange weekly zoom classes for the children during lockdown. For these young children the chance to interact virtually as well as sing songs and learn with their friends and carers has been invaluable and truly appreciated.
• Providing fun weekly sessions for local kids
• They have provided zoom preschool meet-ups during COVID 19 lockdown which has been a brilliant way to Stay in contact with the children and families
• Weekly Zoom meet ups for all our children and parents/carers. A chance to say hello to friends, enjoy songs, stories and games

PQA York

• For all the activities they have provided. Master classes. Virtual assemblies. And for always being there
• The staff at PQA have gone above and beyond during lockdown, to give their students exciting things to do at home. Singing classes, West End Dance routines, film making and more. James Aconley, the principal, has even hosted Zoom family quiz events!

Pram Fit

• For giving us mum’s some much needed time to ourselves forcing us to take time out for us, exercising and meeting new people to help give us a boost and give us something to look forward to three days a week! Such a necessary to help with our mental health.
• Fred and the team at Pramfit have adapted their programmes so well during lockdown. Yoga and group workouts over zoom are offered 6 days a week and this regular exercise and support has helped me to develop much healthier habits. Thanks!
• From day one of lockdown Fred & the team made sure we could work out online. They have worked tirelessly and produced a fantastic programme that I’ve really enjoyed. I’ve lost well over a stone since lockdown and I feel so much stronger and fitter. My little one loves it too – she finds it more hilarious the harder I work. Massive thanks to Fred and the team.
• Keeping me motivated to work out post natally with their fitness and yoga classes
• Providing fun classes to break up our days
• The adapted online classes have helped me lose weight, get rid of aches and pains, get stronger and get to know other mums! The classes have be adapted to take account and make use of what exercise equipment we have at home too. We have also had quiz’s, neutrican chats and yoga too!
• The online scheduled zoom classes have been amazing, plus access to TrainHeroic too to do training at any time of the day.
• This online pre/post natal gym class via zoom! Has bee. The backbone to me and many others mental health through lockdown. A once gym class has turned into. Family from virtual gym classes everyday to quiz nights in the evening! Fred and Becky have dona fab job adapting their business and Fred has put his all into delevoping a new app to keep us mums sane!
• Zoom classes of circuits and yoga to keep accountability and fitness during lockdown.

Rainbows 36th York

• My child has enjoyed doing rainbows every week through zoom

Reading Fairy – Gemma Robinson

• Gemma and reading fairy gang were quick to get online lessons in place. She’s been really helpful in sending out activity sheets as we didn’t have printer. Lots of effort put into lessons to bring them to life and get as close to class room classes. She’s great at involving all the kids and it’s been great to see friends through virtual lessons and have that bit of normal every week.
• Providing some structure to our day in the early weeks of lockdown and homeschooling
• We have loved these classes during lockdown. They have provided some normailty and a great way to learn phonics in preparation for starting school in September! A variety of themes and topics that have kept us entertained each week! Thank you!
• We love our weekly classes with Gemma! It has been great to keep up the routine every week and fun for all the family during lockdown.
• Absolutely loved being able to engage my son with phonics and educational content during lockdown. He is going to school in September, so Reading Fairy has been the perfect bridge to prepare him for school! We love Gemma’s enthusiasm and love that goes into her classes!
• As my children are missing being at nursery, I was looking for a new activity to keep them busy. I wanted something that would help to prepare them for school and wanted them to get used to listening and responding to someone other than me (they’ve heard enough of my voice these last few months!) They have absolutely loved joining in with reading fairy. They are completely engaged with Gemma and she makes it so much fun. It’s so interactive, they love getting all the props ready beforehand then can’t wait to find out what they’re going to do each week. They love the puppets and songs and snuggling up with teddies for a story. They are so focused on all the activities they don’t really need me to be there to remind them what to do! The phonics skills they are learning and practising are great preparation for starting school. Thank you Gemma! 😊
• Gemma brought the same top quality Reading Fairy sessions into our home through the weekly Reading Fairy at Home online classes. Same format, same characters, same fun, it worked perfectly and the children loved it! Really well organised, information given out in advance was perfect with fun activities do to before, during and after. The Reading Fairy always gets it spot on!
• Gemma from Reading Fairy helped me start running online sessions – she offered encouragement, tips, and her kids have attended every week!
• Gemma has been AMAZING and so consistent each week and adapted so well (while having her own 2 children at home). My little girl gets so excited to see Gemma every week and she has given her a sense of normality in the craziest 14 weeks and I couldn’t be more grateful.
• Gemma has been doing such an amazing job with bringing her fun and exciting classes to us at home during lockdown. Seeing her smiling face and participating in the sessions has been such an important part of our week! We look forward to it and it has definitely given us something to make our weeks feel a bit more ‘normal’. Would be lost without her!
• Gemma has been there every week during lockdown. She started her online classes very early on in lockdown and when everything felt crazy and uncertain, the reading fairy provided us with a slice of normality for the whole family. Thank you Gemma
• Gemma has done a brilliant job at keeping young children entertained throughout the sessions, especially difficult when they are so young! She always sends out a weekly information sheet about the upcoming class with lots of ideas of household objects to compliment the class, activity sheets and detailed tech information. She also always makes a special effort to refer to each of the children by name throughout the sessions taking note of what they are doing. She also has the most welcoming smile!
• Gemma has moved her reading fairy class online during lockdown and the classes are just as brilliant. Gemma is amazing at engaging the children through the class and involving them all. Its brought some normality and routine to lockdown and both my children love our Fridays with Gemma (older siblings can join while they’re not at school) She definitely deserves an award.
• Gemma is brilliant at engaging the children. I do not live in York but since being in lockdown with a one year old, I was looking for online courses to entertain my little one and came across Reading Fairy. I would highly recommend to anyone with little ones. Lots of singing, dancing and focus on letters/ first words. My little girl thoroughly enjoyed the class. It was just like being in a hall and I would continue this online class if it were on a weekend.
• It’s a highlight of our week. Gemmas sessions have been fun, bright, lively, engaging and challenging.
• My son has attended Reading Fairy classes in Poppleton since they first began when he was 18 months. Once lockdown began, Gemma started online sessions through Zoom. It’s such an interactive class and Gemma has been able to keep all the essential elements going through Zoom. It is still the highlight of our week, my son waits all week for this session on a Friday. Gemma is always there before the session for the children to speak to her, and the classes are fun and engaging. She speaks to the children individually during the session- my son certainly feels special and he absolutely loves Gemma. Thank you Gemma – for your commitment and passion and genuine care for our children.
• New find and love it! Gemma makes everyone feel included, my daughter has been asking to do reading fairy on days it’s not on! And she hates online classes!
• Our weekly online Reading Fairy class has kept some element of pre-lockdown life in these strange times. Gemma has been so engaging and helpful all along and her classes give our week structure as well as lots of fun!
• This is one of the highlights of my daughter’s week. Not only is it incredible fun with the singing, dancing, storytelling and activities but it is so educational. She is now recognising and saying letters at the start of words which amazes me! It will be so helpful for her when she starts reception in a year.
• We attended Gemma’s classes before lockdown and loved them so were gutted when the pandemic hit. However she’s adapted her class amazingly online and now we have Reading Fairy magic at home every week! Gemma is truly brilliant and she’s honestly the highlight of our week! My little boy even refers to Friday as Reading Fairy Day!

Rhys Derbyshire

• I was completing a boot camp once a week and when lockdown hit this stopped. Rhys worked really hard to do four exercise classes a week which has been a massive distress relief for me especially as I am a key worker who has had to continue working full time and has helped a number of people’s mental health during this time as it effects so many. Well done Rhys.

Rhythm Time – Rachel Marshall & Ami Stott

• Rachel has been keeping many house holds entertained during lock down. I know for sure my daughter loves her classes and missed it when COVID started. Rachel has been teaching her classes on and also does extra session each week and offered zoom chats to keep all use mum sane during these trying times .
• She’s been recording sessions every week so the classes can still continue and with this she’s also been doing a live session every Friday! My little boy loves these sessions and engages so much in them – he has also learnt many skills and loves to perform for friends and family on video calls. The sessions have certainly helped us to pass the time whilst we’ve been shielding!
• Rachel does wonderful Rhythm Time classes that my son loves. He gets very excited when she pops up on the telly and can’t wait to start singing and playing the instruments! Rachel loves to hear how the children and getting on, and personalises the classes to suit them, including shout outs when my son loves!
• Since the very first day of lockdown, Ami Stott at Rhythm Time Harrogate, York and Wetherby has been a ray of sunshine and positivity and has gone out of her way to ensure that everyone in the Rhythm Time community continues to benefit from everything Rhythm Time has to offer. Her continued energy, determination and commitment to her role is inspirational. Members of the Rhythm Time classes at York, Harrogate and Wetherby have not only been able to continue enjoying a weekly Rhythm Time class virtually, we have also been able to watch and join in with classes and activities provided for other age groups to the one we are currently signed up to, watch and have a go at a range of beneficial craft activities, join in with weekly party sessions, enter fun challenges and competitions and enjoy special zoom calls and sessions for a variety of purposes. Ami provides online communication with the Rhythm Time members daily and always responds to questions, comments and posts extremely quickly. From all the photos, videos and comments posted on Facebook it is clear how much every single member (babies, toddlers, preschoolers, parents and grandparents) value, benefit and thrive on all that is provided by Rhythm Time Harrogate, York and Wetherby. This business definitely deserves this award!
• Ami has put so much enthusiasm and energy into running 4 live sessions a week as well as story time, and craft sessions. all whilst trying to home educate her own two children. We pay the same as we do fo face to face sessions but we can attend as many live sessions a week pause they get sent out to rewatch on YouTube if you can’t attend live. This makes us great value! She’s kept me going when I’ve felt down about the whole situation and having a new born and almost 4 year old to contend with these sessions have been ideal distraction and entertainment for all of us. I can’t wait to get back to see her in person and give her the biggest of hugs!
• Ami has worked tirelessly during lockdown, providing on line classes, parties, stories and nursery rhymes all while looking after her own children and keeping the Facebook page full of comments and humour. We really truly would have been lost without her. My boys adore her and have loved the virtual events but we can’t wait to get back to the physical Rhythm Time classes.
• Rhythmtime online classes have been the silver lining to our lockdown cloud!
• We’ve loved the weekly preschool class, plus weekend party and added extras such as Zoom calls! Ami is so energetic and talented making everyone feel as if she is just doing the sessions for them. Both my 4 & 6 year old have really loved these sessions.

Ripon Cathedral Music Department

• Fantastic and fun online activities and terrific learnings
• I am in the choir and they have been so organised and have found many fun activities including rehearsals we can do almost every day. It has been so nice to be able to talk to them and my friends and it really makes my day. Every activity they do is so good and they have even had family quizzes once a month.
• In March they very quickly formed a great online forum via Zoom for all the choristers to take part in. They set up a brilliant website with weekly activities and quizzes and team challenges. They run 6 live online sessions a week and do a couple of rehearsals but have gone above and beyond to keep the children interested and engaged… scavenger hunts, quizzes, bingo to name a few. It’s given the children a safe, stimulating, familiar place to meet as it is evident that most haven’t got this from school… Certainly not at this level. It’s also meant parents get an hours break a day knowing their children are being ‘virtually’ cared for.
• My 9 year old is a junior chorister with Ripon Cathedral. She has found lockdown to be really difficult emotionally, and the virtual Cathedral Choir has helped her tremendously.
• My colleagues have done an amazing job transferring and transforming our usual choir activities into a wonderful and comprehensive set of social as well as musical activities and sessions for six days each week throughout lockdown. It’s been wonderful to see another side of our choristers and even allow them to lead activities. We can’t wait until we can return to the Cathedral as a choir to sing again, but the transition into an online community has been a fantastic achievement for all and the work of my colleagues Andrew and Tracey who instigated it deserves to be recognised.
• Outstanding effort above and beyond, providing a safety space for choristers you share worries, get involved, maintain friendship and continue singing. The model developed at Ripon has been an inspiration to others around the country.
• Ripon cathedral music department have been brilliant in keeping the choristers engaged and entertained during very strange times. Their virtual toast and fruit sessions started as a social event and quickly developed into a structured and well organised daily event which kept my 8 year old interested and motivated. They have been a great help during a difficult time. Thank you.
• Since Lockdown began, the Cathedral music department has organised numerous activities as well as rehearsals for the choristers. During the long weeks of isolation, this has not only provided continuity of musical learning but also a lot of fun and friendship for these youngsters many of whom were not in school. Fabulous consistent effort!!
• The Music Department have gone above and beyond to keep their choristers stimulated and in touch; it has been fun, educational and inspirational. They have organised events nearly every week day and also at weekends when rehearsals and services would have been taking place. They deserve a medal!
• The staff have held zoom activities 6 times a week during lockdown for Ripon Cathedral choristers. The staff have organised not only rehearsals but quizzes, scavenger hunts, music theory lessons and time to chat/ catch up. The staff have done so with enthusiasm and care and allowed the children to organise and lead some of the activities. This has given our children something to look forward as well as learning some new skills. It has also given the parents a little respite!
• The staff have worked tirelessly to engage choristers throughout lockdown period, running sessions 6 out of 7 days from March through to June. More activities are planned over the summer holidays. As the parent of a child who has not been able to go back to school yet, this has been a lifeline for our daughter, keeping a ray of normality burning bright and allowing her to connect with chorister friends online as well as progress with her singing skills. The staff have really gone above and beyond!
• The staff of Ripon Cathedral Music Department have done a fabulous job, keeping all the choristers engaged during the last 14 weeks of lockdown. They have realised the importance of keeping some kind of ‘normality ‘ going for the children. Providing online fun sessions, as well as rehearsals every week night. Plus the choristers have still been able to work towards their medals as they progress from probationor all the way to senior chorister. The Music Department have also encouraged chorister families to get involved, by doing a monthly online quiz, which proved popular and great fun. My daughter has loved that she can still rehearse and see her friends. She also achieved her next medal, so is very proud. The Music Department team are very passionate about what they do and what they can offer the choristers. They have worked above and beyond their normal remit in these strange and tough circumstances.
• They have provided an array of activities to keep choiresters involved and keep them engaged with singing. Really uplifting for some pupils who may not have had many things to do at home during the lockdown. Wonderful stuff.
• They have set up a virtual choir platform via Zoom for daily social and musical activities Monday – Saturday and a choir only website. The Director of Music: Andrew Bryden & Music Outreach Coordinator: Tracey Kendrick have worked above and beyond since lockdown to engage with the choir communities throughout the current situation. Safeguarding procedures have been written and new skills developed to ensure the choristers feel safe and engaged throughout the sessions.
• They have worked tirelessly during lockdown to create an online portal for the cathedral choristers and have provided an action packed series of events for them to enjoy as a community during what has been a very difficult time.
• I would like to nominate them under the virtual class category as they have been amazing since choir had to shut for Covid.
  My little boy is a chorister, he has just turned 8. Even before Covid they do everything can to ensure he is comfortable at choir as he has arthritis and special education needs. Choir is his sanctuary! I was concerned how my son would cope when understandingly choir closed for Covid. This is why I nominate them that when it closed very quickly they set up zoom and EVERY week day night at 4pm Mr Bryden, Mrs Kendrick and Mr Coxhead have come online for music fun, rehearsals and games. They called it “Virtual tea and toast” this is because usually when the children arrive at the cathedral for rehearsals they get given tea and toast! They joined a national Easter Service With choristers all on together. They have planned fun quizzes, scavenger hunts, theory classes and more, they have supported the choristers in running their own quizzes, giving them amazing confidence, There has even been a few patent meet ups on zoom for a family quiz! They have done as I say every week night at 4pm and Saturdays at 1030am. It has been a huge support and I am very grateful. My son has giggled and it is very much a lockdown memory especially as we had to shield! The children are year 3 and upwards to year 8/9. The older choristers have been supportive of the younger ones chatting and wanting to do show and tell with their latest lockdown Craft or lego in my sons case!
  They also set up a Chorister Club website. Password protected so the choristers could message safely. The website had fun quizzes and links to their music cards so they could keep progressing their music ability and knowledge!!
  I know in addition young junior choir also did a few nights a week so they could keep in touch as well.
  Thank you to them all.
• Using zoom, they have provided online rehearsals, music theory classes and all sorts of fun activities (some music related and some not) for the boy and girl choristers so they could keep singing, keep learning and keep in touch with each other. The music department have worked tirelessly to do this every afternoon Monday to Friday at 4pm until 4.45pm as well as Saturday mornings 10.30am until 12pm. They are hugely deserving of an award.
• What fantastic online activities and music practices. Keeping spirits up during these difficult times

Rugbytots

• So entertaining and Coach Rob addressed the kids by name on Facebook live so the kids thought they could see them in their house. It was the only online class my little boy fully engaged with a I feel he hasn’t missed out on his weekly Rugbytots fix.

Sing & Sign – Anna Gibbeson

• Anna has run weekly Zoom sessions for four classes for the last ten weeks. The classes have been wonderful and given me and my little girl something to look forward to.
• Anna have been running zoom classes to support the online sing and sign class and they have been great – a real highlight of our week. Anna is always friendly and it has been nice to see her smiling face. It helped my two year old have something and someone familiar when everything else has been a bit crazy. Thank you Anna!
• Anna’s classes have always been a delight to attend. Friendly, fun and informative. My daughter learnt how to sign with Anna and now my son is learning too. When Covid-19 hit the classes still continued via Zoom and the Sing and Sign @home content so we haven’t missed out!
• Because just before lockdown she immediately switched our classes onto an online platform so that we could continue our meet ups and learning baby sign and singing with our little ones. She has been amazing; so positive and cheerful and encouraging. Each class has also had a whatsapp group so our sense of community and communication is not diminished and we still feel connected as a class. This is so important for mums who can often feel isolated regardless of a lockdown situation. She has given us something to look forward to every week during lockdown and she does it all with such fun and warmth – she\’s an absolute gem and I don\’t know what I\’d have done without her.
• Sing and sign is normally a interactive group setting. However through this horrible time it has been transfered to on-line. It has been just as good all thanks to Anna. Her smiley face throughout the session has been a great comfort to see. Getting all the toddlers involved and introducing them to the world of signing. I am so glad I joined the 10 week course. It has been a joy to been able to be involved
• Anna Gibbeson has taken her wonderful classes online, and they’re brilliant.
• Omg the online classes have been amazing. They have allowed us as a family to continue to learn an effective way to communicate with my little boy and have provided him with a fun activity to help his brain tick over. Wonderful classes provided by the very talented Anna Gibbeson who makes them fun for kids and adults.
• At the start of the pandemic Sing and sign as a franchise began recording videos so they had a collection of videos ready to stream online. Anna has then run weekly Zoom sessions alongside this and a WhatsApp group allowing members in the group to keep in touch. The zoom sessions have been great and meant me and my daughter have continued to engage in the class as it’s the next best thing. Well done to Anna for persisting in running these sessions and learning so quickly the logistics of moving online. Anna is always so friendly and welcoming her weekly zoom classes have been the highlight of our week and been a bit of normality during the difficult time of lockdown. She has done a great job and definitely deserves this nomination and recognition

Singing Fingers (Kate Burkinshaw Piano Teacher)

• Kate has been excellent at keeping going with children’s piano tuition over Skype. It’s been great to have the chance to dedicate the time to music in our daughter’s life and also to keep the routine going through lockdown. Kate is an excellent teacher and that shines through via Skype: she works hard to make remote piano lessons really fun.

Slimming World

• Without hesitation or delay, our weekly meetings became virtual via Zoom. Sue was still there for all her members, offering weight loss support at weekly online meetings. It also gave friends the opportunity to keep in touch with one another and support each other during this difficult time.

Sonia Perry Yoga

• Every week since the beginning of lockdown, yoga with Sonia has carried on, effective, well planned and effectively carried out. Sonia immediately adapted to teaching online and has added brilliant meditations too. She keeps us going in difficult times.

Spotlight Dance

• Since the beginning of lockdown they have kept in touch with pupils on an almost daily basis, have set competitions, held story times and provided online dance classes both live and pre recorded. Not only that but all while their principal dance teacher is pregnant (due in 3 weeks) They also put on a special themed week to celebrate what would have been the annual dance show that the children had all worked so hard for. I think Miss Sarah and her team thave done an amazing job!

St Paul’s Toddler Group

• Having run St Paul’s Toddlers’ for the past decade, when Lockdown struck Sarah moved Toddlers’ Group online. Without fail, every Monday morning at 10am Sarah broadcast live via Facebook. It was very simple, but effective. We had a story, followed by a sing-song with Sarah accompanying on guitar. Occasionally Sarah’s own children would join in on the oboe or keyboard, but more often than not it was just Sarah and her guitar. Thank you!

Starbrite Studios

• They offer a wide range of dance and acro styles to join in with!

Story Craft Theatre – Crafty Tales

• Amazing sessions and cassie even had a baby!!
• Brilliant!! An hour of fun each week, so good we booked our little boys virtual birthday party with them.
• Cassie and Janet are so funny! They make us all laugh
• Its creative, fun and the children ar engaged throughout.
• Just the most brilliant online sessions, and our tiny slice of normality when everything became so strange for our daughter.
• These have been the highlight of our Wednesdays! Cassie and Janet really engage my son in the sessions and Janet even kept going while heavily pregnant and after having her baby. They also do free crafts on Instagram to stave off boredom and virtual birthday parties.
• Cassie and Janet have been a huge part of our lockdown life offering virtual story and craft activities via Zoom. We used to visit them in real life for the classes and now being given the chance to do their classes virtually has been a great part of lockdown. Two fabulous ladies who don’t know how amazing they are!!!
• Fun classes that the whole family enjoy.
• Its the highlight of our week.

Tatty Bumpkin Yoga

• For giving us a little bit of ‘routine’ at this crazy time. We’ve loved doing the classes as a family and it’s really helped the children to relax at an uncertain time. So lovely to see Clare’s friendly face each session.

Technology in Play

• Before our school had got itself together with work and support, the TIP lessons became available and provide interesting and exciting learning content that our 7 year old son loves and fully engages with (unlike much of his school work!). We are learning much more from these activities, and having way more fun doing so, than with the curriculum school work.
• Brilliant and engaging ‘lessons’ our small person has thoroughly enjoyed. With options to expand what has been covered in ‘class’. Varied topics and activities, we look forward to them daily!
• Daily science lesson, very accessible and very professional!
• TiP Science classes have been running Since lockdown began. The topics are really varied and interactive and my son has loved them.

The Magic Hatter

• The show he did online got us through this time. My little one has not stopped talking about it.

The Yoga Revolution

• Amazing yoga classes from the fabulous Chloe
• An amazing on line resource has been set up for the Yoga classes to go online. Extra classes added with guests of different Yoga styles. We can go as often as we like. Great communication in the FB group and weekly newsletters. Very supportive and a great support for all. Also reduced the monthly fee when more provision was available. Chloe & team are true stars.
• Chloe came to the rescue as soon as lockdown was announced with access to zoom classes and an ever increasing number of recorded classes. She always keeps us motivated with wit and humour both through classes and emails or blogs. TYR has become a staple part of my family’s life for good!
• Chloe has been amazing at keeping the community together, talking to us all, providing endless classes that we can join in with and really making sure that we’re doing okay during lockdown. Thank you so much for keeping up the virtual classes chloe, they mean everything for our wellbeing and mental health
• Chloe went online pretty quickly. Sessions and community feeling are still second to none – even though we have the limitations of doing it online.
• TYR Has been a life saver throughout lockdown. They’ve moved all classes online – seamlessly!! Chloe is the best x

Theatre of Science

• Weekly fun science classes run by a York teacher – friendly, the right balance of silly and serious, really informative and hands on fun with experiments to do along with the lesson. All experiments based on household items showing real thought about what is possible for families under lockdown. A huge amount of work and energy has gone into this class which is free to access. It’s made SUCH a huge difference whilst school has been shut

Thomas Clubbersize

• He’s mobilised his weekly classes to Zoom and is teaching virtually every day. He has created brand new classes and every class is inclusive and just the best laugh while keeping fit. He’s stayed in touch with all the people in the class and has opened up his classes from home to everyone in the household, kids and husbands/ partners alike. He’s kept my fitness level maintained and a Clubbercise family together during lockdown

Tiny Tumblers – Emma Hartley

• Lockdown virtual worksheets and encouragement of online learning. Emma sent to all families.

Toddler Sense York – Danielle Taylor

• Danielle’s weekly ToddlerSense at Home online classes have been a highlight of lockdown and have helped to give our week structure and variety. Plus the fact that she had a new baby of her own early in lockdown but carried on with the same energy and enthusiasm every week makes her an absolute superwoman in my eyes!
• We LOVE Toddler Sense! I was so unsure how it would work online vs the face-to-face sessions but I was desperate to do something with my toddler during the weeks of lockdown. It was so hard to entertain my child ALL the time so signed up to the sessions. We were not disappointed! The classes were / are brilliant! We enjoy dancing around, making noise and having a sense of a class. Danielle is amazing! I also get loads of ideas of things we can do later in the week to keep us entertained. Thank goodness for Toddler Sense and Danielle!!!

Total Sports

• Enjoyed the workout and activities each week! Thanks guys!

Train Taekwondo

• Gavin has done taekwando classes every weekday of lockdown which has helped my little boy keep fit, active and motivated during lockdown. He even held a grading for those regularly taking part to recognise the effort and development they had made. Think he deserves a big pat on the back.
• Every morning at 10am without a fail 12 weeks of live classes for little ones and their grown ups. You really kept us going thanks Mr Cook.

Treasure Chest – Caroline Bolton

• An unbelievable support to new mums at a time when there were limited services available in the nhs. I was at my wits end breastfeeding and her calm measured approach in zoom support sessions made me persist. It was also a lovely place to share ideas and experiences with other new mums!

Water Babies

• The online classes and live shows have really helped us to maintain our skills.

Wild Things Forest School

• Emma brings her usual sense of adventure and discover to Zoom! We still felt super connected to the natural world despite being sat at the computer.
• For bringing the outdoors and nature to your house and garden. Fun and interesting activities for a range of ages.
• Varied and interactive classes
• We’ve loved seeing Emma’s familiar, friendly face in her online sessions and we’ve loved the online activities and follow up ideas- great to have some quality time enjoying the outdoors at this strange time.
• Wild Things is one of our favourite classes and something we really missed during lockdown. So when it went online it brought back some sort of consistency and normality into our lives
• Wildthings have been doing forest school via Zoom and we LOVE it

X Martial Arts

• My daughter has been a member of XMA since may last year. She absolutely loves there fce to face kessons but since we went into lockdown they have been adapting to make sure they can still offer their students the best possible experience. They staryed with live lessons over facebook and YouTube and then it seemed natural as they developed into using zoom to do group lessons and personal training lessons that have been made available to members. Without my daughters XMA lessons this lockdown would have been so much harder. Luke and the rest of the team and X Martial Arts School have gone throughout this testing time trying to give some normality to the children is just amazing
• They have kept us updated with all of their efforts for when they can reopen, cleaning etc. And have not stopped once with making sure that the students can continue with their classes. Starlight into video tutorials and quickly followed by live classes on YouTube and Facebook and now into zoom classes where they can interact with the students. It is the only class that my little one has remained focussed on and attended three times a week! And that is down to the enthusiasm and hard work of every single one of the XMA teaching staff and teams! They need a huge thank you but just a little something to show our appreciation for the amazing work they have done. I don’t think they quite understand how much of a positive affect they have had on their students. Amazing team and family.
• They kept classes going and the children motivated. Initially fb and you tube classes. Then did zoom classes which worked so much better for tutors and children and offered one on one sessions. My son even manage to do his belt test virtually during lockdown.

Yoga for Modern Life – Susan Bradley

• I did both Pregnancy yoga and now Mum & baby yoga via zoom with Susan and it has been such a sanctuary and the most amazing place to meet and connect with local mums to be, and now mums. A true feeling of community, for which I am so grateful to Susan
• Susan Bradley’s pregnancy and postnatal yoga classes have been a fantastic source of support and community throughout lockdown.
• Susan has been brilliant at supporting women through this emotional time when preparing for an equally emotional moment in your life. The support and care she has provided throughout lockdown has enabled fellowship and community that provided a space for care and joy.
• Susan very quickly switched to providing her classes virtually with a week of lock-down. Her quick thinking and organisation meant that when so many businesses had stopped or were still figuring it out, Susan was still offering her post-natel yoga classes at a time when we needed structure, support and community. She has continued offering her virtual classes several times a week making it very good value too. She also deserves a mention for ‘being lost without you’ award as things would have been very different without her offering over this time.
• I first attended pregnancy yoga with Susan and when lockdown happened she went online. This was a lifesaver for me as it meant I could still communicate with other people in the area who were pregnant and going through the same worries as me about giving birth during lockdown. The yoga practice was also brilliant and very calmin at a time of great stress. I have since joined baby yoga and baby massage both of which have allowed me to come t with other mums and share experiences. I have made a few friends along the way which would have been impossible otherwise. Susan is always upbeat and full of brilliant advice and I don’t think I would have had the same pregnancy experience or first time mum experience without her. It’s been tough being a first time mum in lockdown but Susan was so encouraging in those first few weeks. She gave me advice and encouragement even though I wasn’t going to any of her classes at that point and therefore wasn’t paying for this service. Susan is second to none and I can’t express how much she deserves this award.
• Amazing yoga, relaxation classes etc plus lots of extra info for new Mums
• Susan has transferred her yoga classes to online via zoom, she does pregnancy yoga and Mum and baby yoga amongst other classes. The baby yoga has been a god send through lockdown, provided me with so much support that I needed and gave my weeks some structure. All done at a cut cost out of kindness. Thank you Susan, this has truly got me through lockdown.
• fantastic support both before and during lockdown. Always positive and offering great help and advice. Really helped keep normality, when life was anything but normal!
• For moving all her yoga classes online and continuing to offer her much needed support and wisdom, to help us access much needed ‘me-time’ throughout this discombobulating pandemic! Never has her yoga been more needed
• I had a baby during lockdown and her classes have been an invaluable source of support and advice and social contact while socially isolated with a newborn. My mental health would really have suffered without her classes. Additionally she made all her classes open for the same cost as one class and supported the start of a WhatsApp group for all the new mums which had also been a great support.
• Susan has been holding her post natal yoga classes (as well as others) via zoom since the start of lockdown. She has also been great in offering 2 yoga classes, baby massage, 2 general yoga session and a video practice all for the same price as her live sessions. Susan has created a lovely online community of mums providing us with time to talk to each other, share experiences and encourage us to look for positives in our weeks. Although this is mum and baby yoga, it has been my weekly highlight and 100% helped me cope during lockdown with a baby from 4 months to now 8 months! I could not have survived without it.
• Susan is a fantastic and passionate yoga And hypnobirthing teacher and a very caring and compassionate person. She couldn’t have done more for the women in her pregnancy yoga or post natal yoga classes In the past few months since the start of Covid 19. It made a huge difference to my wellbeing during my pregnancy And postnatally that Susan has given open access to all of her Yoga and Mindfulness/meditation classes for the price of attending one of the classes. Without it the end of my pregnancy would have felt a lot more lonely and anxiety provoking, instead I felt connected with others and reassured. Susan also goes above and beyond in both her collective and individual support of the women who attend her classes, much more than I ever would have expected or anticipated from attending a yoga class. Her care and compassion for pregnant and post natal mums is extraordinary. She is very deserving of recognition.
• Susan’s pregnancy and mum and baby yoga moved online when the pandemic started. They say it takes a village to raise a baby and in a time when very few people had one, Susan created one. She is kind and generous and constantly supportive. Her classes were a highlight of my week.
• Susan’s post natal yoga classes are excellent. It’s more than just a yoga class, she’s managed to build a whole online community at a time when it’s really needed.

York Baptist Church

• Our online services have been really great. Thanks to the audio visual team for making everything so straightforward!

York Karate

• They have kept me and my children going through lockdown
• Simon Flint (Sensei) adapted his karate lessons to Zoom. My son has been able to continue lessons, thereby exercise, 3-4 times a week and even graded to a higher belt at the weekend, which took up a tremendous amount of time on Father’s day for Simon. Thank you.

York Pilates People

• At the start of lockdown YPP worked quickly to provide a wide variety of classes for all levels seamlessly via zoom. They have managed to make me feel very inclusive despite the virtual challenges and although we all miss the face to face contact they have done a marvellous job in keeping both new and existing customers moving and stress free!
• Been so well done, great leadership and great encouragement.
• Being able to continue with pilates at home has been amazing during this difficult time – it’s really kept me sane. It’s also been pretty essential for countering sitting at a desk all day while working from home. Lou adapted to teaching online so quickly & I cannot stress how much better her classes are than other less personal online or YouTube offerings. Thank you!
• For keeping me sane, supported and exercised.
• I’d been attending the pregnancy Pilates class and when we got told to stay at home I was 28 weeks pregnant. Lou moves the classes online which was a lifesaver for me as it meant I still got to see my fellow pregnant class mates and keep exercising throughout. Thanks Lou!
• Lou, Maddie and Liz have done an incredible job moving Lou’s studio online for virtual pilates and yoga classes. They have kept me sane and reminded me to move during lockdown, with their scheduled live classes, “2 minute moves” on Instagram live to keep people moving even while they work from home, and their YouTube homework videos. Looking after our health has been so important during this time and York Pilates People have done an incredible job helping people care for their minds and bodies.
• Louise Fellowes and her 2 fellow teachers have been invaluable to me over the last 3 months. Their virtual classes and coffee mornings have been a real focus of positivity and motivation for me during the lockdown. I’ve done my best to socuslly isolate, and this business has really kept my spirits up in this most difficult of times.
• Normally do classes at the studio but Lou has been able to move these online and kept a real sense of community. Pilates is a bit of time for me with two kids and it’s helped keep me sane in lockdown!
• The virtual classes delivered by lou, maddie and liz are fabulous. So varied and well communicated. So cheerful and positive. The feel good factor in these difficult and strange times.
• They turned the studio into a virtual one in no time providing support both physically and mentally. Very enthusiastic and very good quality.
• They’ve been so flexible in arranging online classes, checking what works for people, starting new membership deals. Lou has worked really hard to keep the classes going and I have loved having them, it’s helped my working from home days not feel like they drag on and has kept me moving.
• Within a week of going into lockdown, Lou and the team went completely digital with online classes, live and recorded workouts and virtual coffee breaks, all on Zoom. Seeing everyone, and having a bit of sanity and routine restored through the classes have been a lifesaver.
• Amazing and varied pilates and yoga classes. All delivered from home. Such dedication and commitment to continue classes for all the clients. Lou brings such positivity to her classes.

York Sport

• It meant a lot to the kids to see their PE teachers online when everything else has been out of kilter.

York Stage School

• Have provided interactive, exciting singing, dancing and acting challenges throughout lockdown. Challenges are set by industry professionals and feedback sent every week. It has provided fun, focus and genuine education around performing arts. Guest tutors have held zoom chats too. Really brilliant!
• For bringing joy and laughter to our home every week right from the start of lockdown with weekly challenges and teaching to stretch my daughter.
• Have kept the theatre and performing alive for under 16 during the lockdown with lots of innovative classes covering all genres.
• Keeping the children engaged and having something to focus on and work towards.
• Many actors across the country have lost out on the ability to perform at the moment however at York Stage School we are set weekly challenges (song, dance, acting, etc) which are given to us to help develop our performing abilities and still keep us performing in these troubled times. There have also been Zoom calls with West End stars which have given superb tips for me as an aspiring actor. I love York Stage School and highly recommend for any young budding performer around the York area wanting to improve their abilities!!
• Weekly classes continued right through lockdown, with weekly challenges set and fantastic feedback. Zoom meets also were organised to showcase work, and to meet industry “stars” to ask questions and receive advice and encouragement. Extremely positive and engaging throughout.
• York stage school has been teaching online for over 11 weeks and the variation and challenges and tasks and famous guest tutors has been truly remarkable….the children have responded so well and are receiving a brilliant standard of teaching with one to one feedback. The online song from the settee was fabulous too….

York Suzuki Early Childhood Education – Laura Wingrove

• Laura has continued to run her classes online free of charge since lockdown began. She has worked hard to develop a way of interacting personally with all her families.
• Laura moved her classes online and has been generously offering these free of charge. This has been our regular link to the outside world, a reassuring and known repertoire of music for our child, an opportunity to see other children in a calm, structured and nurturing online setting. Our child has been looking forward to these sessions every week, and it has been wonderful to take part in these together and watch them grow in confidence. Thank you Laura, lockdown truly wouldn’t have been the same without you!
• This class has kept us going throughout lockdown. Laura has put her classes online twice a week completely free of charge, found creative ways to replicate all the musical activities, and also to engage every single child individually. During this difficult time her classes have been a real lifesaver. It’s also been lovely to see the children actually continuing to progress in tiny ways week by week, so it’s been great for their development even though she hasn’t been able to teach in person.
• Since lockdown, Laura has taken her Cello tuition lessons for her pupils online, balancing her teaching with my full time accountancy job, and looking after our 2 year old amongst that which has been an interesting tag team challenge. She has managed to maintain as close to a face to face teaching level of quality, allowing her pupils to continue with their development whilst at home. In addition, the early childhood music classes, which had only just started from January, she has continued to provide live online every Tuesday and Thursday, free of charge, giving parents and their babies/toddlers a wonderful interactive musical experience for at least a couple of hours a week to beat the lockdown blues. She takes great pride in what she does and I’m very proud at how she’s taken on such a lot during difficult times and that is why I’m nominating her for this award.
• We enjoyed Laura’s weekly classes pre-lockdown, but she was very quick and efficient to shift the class online via Zoom in anticipation of lockdown. It’s been a joy to participate every week in this structured,calming class, and my little boy really looks forward to it. It’s been an absolute bonus that these classes have been run free of charge (even though we have offered to pay as we see such value in its content), and you are able to “attend” more than once a week if you wish – good for rainy days.

York Yoga Studio

• Supportive nurturing class anyone can join based on wellbeing during lockdown

Yorkey Dads / York Menfulness

• Support for Dads around York during lockdown with mental health and support. Setting up an exercise club on Strava, sharing poems, stories and just letting you know that there are others out there sharing similar experiences.

Yorkshire Fitness Duo

• Yorkshire fitness due have moved their normal bootcamp classes to online in your own home classes with an amended timetable. The classes are varied and super enjoyable and available for all abilities, they have certainly motivated me to move more and keep exercising during this difficult time. Katie is super energetic and it’s such a great start to the day!!!

Yorkshire Rose Academy of Dance

• For keeping the kids interested and happy throughout Covid 19
• Miss Kerry has done an excellent job ensuring all classes will run right through lockdown . The classes are well organised and a lovely opportunity to regain some “normal” in my child’s life . Miss Kerry is professional, understanding and so much fun . She has even added an extra family class 🙂
• My 2 daughters attend ballet lessons taught by YRAD’s principal Miss Kerry. One is in pre-school and the other primary. Miss Kerry has made the switch to online classes enabling us to keep some sort of routine. My daughters have both enjoyed their ballet lessons online and look forward to them.
• My daughter has been able to continue her ballet lessons all throughout lock down – it’s brilliant that she’s been able to continue her lessons thanks to Miss Kerry!!
• Reacted quickly to deliver online classes via Zoom. Not an easy thing for the kids to adapt to, but adapt they did and added some structure to the week and continued to learn and catch up with friends. Thank you Miss Kerry and team!
• They’ve continued their classes online throughout lockdown arranging a whole zoom schedule for all their students at very short notice. It has been lovely for my daughter to see Miss Sophie every Saturday morning and keep to a little part of her normal routine.
• Our son’s ballet and street dance classes were up and running so quickly, they’ve really enjoyed catching up with class mates and using the breakout rooms with smaller groups to create virtual routines
• Yorkshire Rose Academy of Dance managed to move all of their dance classes online, providing much needed fun, exercise and socialising to kids who were stuck at home missing their friends and all their usual activities. Thank you so much