Hull Community Fund awards over £68,000 to 20 groups supporting 18,000 local people

Twenty community organisations across Hull have received more than £68,000 from the latest round of the Hull Community Fund, helping thousands of local people access activities, support and opportunities that matter to them.

These projects are expected to benefit more than 18,000 residents, supporting people to feel healthier, improve their wellbeing, build new skills and enhance their quality of life.

This marks the second round of funding since the fund launched in Summer 2024. Grants were awarded to support activities that respond to local needs and fill gaps in community provision, as well as to help community groups grow stronger and more sustainable for the future. Funding also helped organisations cover essential running costs, ensuring they can continue to be there for the people who rely on them.

The fund focused on four key themes, health and wellbeing, education and training, culture and heritage, and environment. The successful projects reflect the breadth and creativity of Hull’s voluntary and community sector, showcasing the many ways local people are working to strengthen their neighbourhoods.

Local people leading local decisions

In keeping with the fund’s commitment to shifting power, grants were allocated through a participatory grant‑making process. Six Hull residents with lived experience joined the decision‑making panel, ensuring funding decisions were shaped by those who understand the city’s needs first‑hand.

Thomas Waring, Head of Grants at Two Ridings, said:

“We’re proud to have embraced participatory grant‑making for this fund. It’s a way of shifting power, ensuring decisions are made by those who truly understand the needs of our communities.”

A snapshot of the projects being supported

This latest round of funding is supporting a wide range of local groups making a real difference in Hull. Mama T’s is opening up performing arts to children through free street‑dance lessons, giving them the chance to perform on stage and build confidence. Beats Bus Records is taking its mobile recording studio into under‑resourced neighbourhoods, offering a six‑week programme where young people can learn rap, lyric writing, DJ skills and beat‑making, helping them express themselves safely and discover new talents. Rhema Counselling and Recovery Services is creating a peer‑led safe space for women affected by abuse, providing community support alongside professional guidance. Hull International Carnival Association is bringing people together through inclusive music and arts events that celebrate diversity and challenge

prejudice, while Ella Street Residents Association is preparing its next community festival following the success of 2024.

Together, these projects highlight the breadth of Hull’s community sector and the many ways local people are working to improve lives across the city. Other groups are using their funding to strengthen their organisations, expand services, and reach more residents, from art therapy sessions and inclusive exercise classes to employability support, youth programmes, safeguarding training, and community events. This collective effort demonstrates the power of grassroots organisations in creating positive change across Hull.

Other organisations receiving funding include:

• Art Therapy Group are running weekly two-hour art therapy sessions for women at Preston Road Women’s Centre. The grant covers materials, volunteer expenses, refreshments, and childcare, enabling local women to connect, enjoy social activities, and take part in small craft projects that reduce isolation.
• Hull Red are employing two part-time trainers to deliver venue training and access drop-in sessions. Ten volunteers with lived experience are also being recruited to meet twice monthly, discuss access issues, and support drop-in activities across the city.
• St Stephen’s Neighbourhood Centre will deliver 37 inclusive exercise classes, with funding covering refreshments, instructors, and venue hire. The centre works with residents to ensure everyone has the chance to improve their health and wellbeing.
• Solidarity Hull is scaling up its Employability Support project by adding an extra five-hour session each week. The programme supports people who speak English as a second language to improve their job prospects.
• The Maximum Life Youth Project will use funding for staff time for a coordinator and admin assistant, alongside training and a new HR system. The project supports between 32 and 48 young people each week.
• Hull Musical Theatre Company are hiring a freelance community development worker to strengthen governance policies and register as a charity, opening up new funding opportunities and local partnerships.
• The Hull & East Yorkshire Centre for the Deaf has used funding towards running costs and social activities for the deaf community. The centre hosts weekly talks, social evenings, and regular events such as bingo, providing daily opportunities for connection and inclusion.
• Trinity Scout Group are purchasing paddleboards, buoyancy aids, and helmets to expand the group’s programme. Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers will benefit from paddleboarding at summer camps and activity days throughout the year.
• City of Hull Sport and Community Group CIC are employing a Marketing Officer to strengthen community connections and expand outreach through improved communications.
• Humber All Nations Alliance are upskilling 12 staff and volunteers with Level 2 safeguarding training, equipping them to work effectively with schools and community organisations.
• The Hull & East Yorkshire Community Counselling Service continues to deliver vital services including a food bank and drop-in sessions, offering advice, emotional support, and signposting to local agencies.
• Hull and East Yorkshire Ukrainian Community run a Saturday programme at the Welcome House for refugee families. Activities include children’s support, teenage groups, adult sessions, and community lunches.
• Hidden Disabilities are delivering festive activities for over 80 beneficiaries, including a Christmas party, craft session, quiz, movie night, and theatre trip, alongside their regular weekly groups.
• East Riding Hygiene Bank have extended its service into Hull, building on four years of supporting over 40 organisations. The project provides vulnerable people with access to free or affordable hygiene products.
• The Wollstonecraft Society are delivering 10 leadership sessions for 15 disadvantaged young people aged 14–17. The programme offers cultural experiences, employability skills, CV development, and work placements.

The Hull Community Fund reopens for applications in Summer 2026, providing further opportunities for community organisations to access vital support.