Supporting children throughout Yorkshire

We like nothing better at Two Ridings than to visit the amazing community organisations in the region and hear first-hand the impact their work is having on the people they support. But when we get to take fund holders along with us, it really is a special day.

Tim and Helen Williams created the Williams Family Fund with Two Ridings in 2021. The fund has gone on to support 12 groups working directly with children and young people.

Together we visited five of the groups supported by the fund in and around Hull.

Creative Briefs was our first port of call. They run inclusive art and design workshops for schools and community groups and for individual young people looking for a creative educational provision. They give young people an alternative start in life with the opportunity to take an Art Awards qualification.

Their space was inspiring, their stories uplifting and it was really encouraging to hear how their support, online and face to face, was giving young people not only new outlooks on education and work, but also confidence, self-belief and resilience.

One young person they have supported over the years is now their enthusiastic and very capable Youth Lead. He told us directly the positive impact Creative Briefs’ approach had on him, and how he is passing that same passion and understanding on to others. A shining example to us all.

At City of Hull Sports and Community Group we heard how their Box to Success programme was helping young people in the Orchard Park Estate to raise their aspirations, build up their confidence and helps tackle the children’s inner demons and anxiety.

We loved meeting a wide range of people in the gym and café, all uplifted and full of praise for their community hub and its inclusive activities.

The family friendly space at Time to Listen instantly made us feel calm and comfortable. And that is exactly the atmosphere they create for the families they support.

Tackling anxiety and poor mental health in children, they used their funding on counselling sessions helping improve emotional and mental health, reducing self-harming and helping young people with their relationships with their families and peers.

Hull & East Yorkshire Children’s University blew us away explaining the impact their trips, activities and experiences have on igniting a spark and improving the outlook of the young people they support from some of Hull’s most deprived areas.

We also heard about their LetterBox Club which delivers books, and a reading programme to you people fortnightly for Children Looked After in conjunction with Book Trust and local primary schools. Not only delivering the books, but reading alongside the children and encouraging them to dream big.

Finally at Community Vision in Beverley we heard specific stories of young people who had blossomed from finding a volunteer opportunity and how it has led them to feeling more part of their community.  This in turn has enabled them to look for employment opportunities through their increased confidence.

Hearing people’s stories and being told directly the difference the support and activities are having on children and young people is a powerful reminder of why funding is crucial in transforming people’s lives.

As a funder we learn so much from listening directly to the leaders and their team dedicating their own lives to making lives better for others.

Celia McKeon said:

“It’s energising and uplifting to hear and see the impact grants make. For the Two Ridings team it is what gets us out of bed each morning; distributing grants to enable people and communities to thrive.”

Tim Williams commented:

“Helen and I are delighted with the impact that our donations to Two Ridings Community Foundation have made to a wide range of charities in the region. To have the opportunity to meet the inspiring people who lead these groups and see the practical steps that they take to make a difference to the lives of others, has been a real privilege.

“The success of these visits has underlined our confidence in Celia and the entire team at Two Ridings, to the extent that we are now actively planning to extend our support into the future.”