£48,946 distributed to support local people in Hull
We are delighted to announce that the first round of grants from the Hull Community Fund, launched in June 2024, has distributed £48,946 to 13 local community organisations.
These grants recognise the vital contributions community groups make to local people’s lives and help them build on that potential and impact.
Four key themes were the focus of the fund: health and wellbeing, education and training, culture and heritage, and environment. The projects funded showcase the diverse ways community groups are improving lives and strengthening communities across the city.
Some of the money is supporting wellbeing and sports projects. The City of Hull and District Rugby League is investing in equipment and coach training to establish a new youth rugby serving the Bransholme estate. Dance in Company CIC are delivering wellbeing dance sessions for disabled and older adults across the city reaching those who may not otherwise have easy access to arts opportunities. MAMA T’S funding is going towards sustaining their youth street dance project, offering opportunities to children in Endike Lane, North Bransholme and Ings council estate.
Additional initiatives include Hull Afro Caribbean Association piloting a multicultural school engagement project to build understanding and foster community cohesion through art, craft, and food activities and Humber Job Hub CICA running employability skills workshops to support Hull residents gain employability skills to move out of income poverty and secure employment and improve wellbeing
Several organisations have used the funding to strengthen their foundations, employ staff to enhance governance, coordinate volunteers, expand activities, and secure additional funding.
Celia McKeon, Two Ridings CEO, shared:
“I am delighted that we have completed our first round of the Hull Community Fund. It is incredibly moving to see some of the wonderful grassroots organisations in the city making an impact with this funding.
“This fantastic work could not happen without the support of local people and organisations who donate directly to the Hull Community Fund. We are very grateful for your support and warmly welcome new donors to join this effort.
“We are also really pleased to work in partnership with Hull City Council, HEY Smile Foundation, Hull CVS and Forum on this fund. Working collaboratively brings greater opportunity to everyone in the city.”
A full list of the organisations awarded funding are:
- Pickering Road Community Orchard employed a volunteer coordinator to support their transition to a community interest organisation, improving governance and expanding activities beyond harvest season.
- West Hull Community Sports Club recruited a Hub Officer to improve volunteer coordination and administration.
- Youth Aspire Connect employed an administrator, enabling the management team to focus on grant applications and build capacity.
- City of Hull and District Rugby League has invested in equipment and coach training to establish a new youth rugby serving the Bransholme estate.
- City of Hull Sport and Community Group CIC delivered wellbeing activities serving primary-age children and their families, serving 45 families through multiple sessions.
- Dance in Company CIC delivered fifteen wellbeing dance sessions for disabled and older adults; these stretched across the city, reaching those who may not have easy access to arts opportunities.
- Hull Afro Caribbean Association piloted a multicultural school engagement project to build understanding and foster community cohesion through arts, crafts, and food activities.
- Humber Job Hub CIC ran multiple six week employability skills workshops to support Hull residents gain employability skills to move out of income poverty, secure employment and improve wellbeing.
- Kingswood Knights ARLFC upskilled eight volunteer coaches by providing them with Level 1 Rugby League Coaching qualifications, improving the quality of coaching and engaging more young people.
- MAMA T’S sustained their youth street dance project, offering opportunities to children aged 5-11 in three areas of poverty in Hull; Endike Lane, North Bransholme and Ings council estate.
- Aidan’s Southcoates PCC replaced broken kitchen equipment for their community catering service, empowering volunteers in their journey toward recovery or employment.
- The Maximum Life Youth Project funding contributed to a salary for a youth sports worker to lead gymnastics, ice skating, rock climbing and other activities.
- Toranj Tuition delivered STEM activities to inspire young people and increase engagement with the curriculum.
Get involved
These grants are empowering local organisations to make a significant in their communities.
Applications for the Hull Community Fund will reopen in Summer 2025, offering grants of up to £2,000 for activity projects and up to £10,000 for organisational development. For more information on how to apply, visit tworidingscf.org.uk.