First established as a youth centre over 80 years ago, Door 84 is a trusted local charity based in the heart of The Groves. Over the years, the charity has expanded its reach, and now offers dedicated support and services to young people, adults with disabilities, and the wider local community. From its Lowther Street headquarters, Door 84 offers a sustainable physical community hub, where young people, families, parents, caregivers and local people in need can make the most of opportunities, connect with each other, and feel at home!
All of the hard work completed at Door 84 is underpinned by the three core values of respect, inclusion, and community. In the past year alone (2025/2026), the charity has delivered 445 sessions, provided more than 200 activities to local people in need, distributed 20,000 meal equivalents to members of the community via FareShare, and supported 150 people in accessing free family wellbeing activities, including days out to the circus and the theatre. It provides local people of all ages with access to a range of weekly meet-ups and activities.
Running on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Sparks Project, which began in 2011, offers adults with disabilities, autism, and additional support needs a fun and accessible space in which they can make friends and enjoy creative and social activities, such as dancing and playing games. Every Wednesday, Door 84 runs a popular Community Café, which offers a warm, family-friendly space for local people of all ages to come together over a cuppa and biscuits, as well as a Food Bank and Community Pantry, which offers essential support to Yorkies facing food poverty. The charity also provides a free five-week community cooking course, Cooking from the Cupboard, running on Thursdays, which aims to help anyone not currently in work, education or training to learn new skills in the kitchen and craft easy, tasty winter meals using simple ingredients found in the cupboard. And, having run youth club sessions for more than five decades now, Door 84 also offers access to six Weekly Youth Club Sessions for various age groups; 8-17-year-olds (Mondays), 8-12-year-olds (Tuesdays), and 13-17-year-olds (Wednesdays). Out of term time, Door 84 also runs Free HAF (Holidays, Activities and Food) summer holiday programmes, aimed at all local youngsters entitled to free school meals. As well as extensive opportunities to enjoy social, community-focused events and activities each week, the charity also offers a range of support services to local individuals, ranging from financial relief and advocacy to mental health support.
Door 84’s work is made possible by its volunteers, who receive training and support via the Supported Volunteer Programme. 100% of volunteers would recommend volunteering at Door 84 to others, while 91% strongly agree that their skill set has improved since starting their volunteering journey.
Door 84 is located at 84 Lowther St, YO31 7LX. Visit www.door84.org.uk to find out more or get in touch with the team. Visit www.door84.org.uk/get-involved/to donate or find out how to get involved as a volunteer.
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