Start with the right council
City of York Council is the starting point for services within its boundary, including York and communities such as Haxby, Wigginton, Poppleton and Dunnington. Its website covers council tax, waste collections, housing, planning and other local services.
A York postal address is not the same as a City of York Council address. Places farther out may fall under North Yorkshire Council or another neighbouring authority. Check by postcode before reporting a problem or applying for a service.
Libraries are a useful local starting point
Explore York runs libraries and archives across the city, including York Explore, Acomb, Clifton and Tang Hall, with services in surrounding communities too. Look beyond borrowing books: the network provides information, activities, digital support and places to study.
Use the individual library page for opening times, facilities and events. A session advertised at one branch may require booking or suit a particular age group, so check the details before travelling.
Find a group or a way to help
York CVS supports the city’s voluntary and community sector and provides routes into volunteering. It is a useful starting point if you want to contribute time, need support for a small organisation or are looking for a local network.
Live Well York is another place to look for community information and activities. For a specific need, follow through to the organisation providing the service and confirm eligibility, access and arrangements directly.
Community spaces close to home
Oaken Grove Community Centre serves Haxby and Wigginton, the Poppleton Centre has rooms and activities in Upper Poppleton, and Tang Hall Community Centre hosts groups and local projects. These give residents alternatives to travelling into the centre.
Check whether a venue is advertising an open activity, a club membership or simply space to hire. Our directory can introduce the organisation, while its own website is the place for current timetables and booking conditions.
Urgent help and everyday enquiries
For emergencies, use 999. NHS 111 provides a route for urgent medical advice when it is not a life-threatening emergency; the NHS website explains how to use the service. For police enquiries that are not emergencies, use the official North Yorkshire Police contact options.
This guide helps you find the appropriate organisation; it does not monitor emergencies or provide personal case advice. Use each organisation’s own contact route for a response.
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