20 organisations that provide vital support to local people in Hull received funding from the Hull Community Fund

Twenty organisations across Hull have received funding from the Hull Community Fund in its second round since launching in Summer 2024. Together, they have been awarded more than £68,000, enabling activities that will support over 18,000 local people to improve their lives.

This round included both activity grants, which help fill gaps in local provision, and organisational development grants, which give groups the chance to make a step change in their capacity or sustainability. Funding also contributed towards essential running costs.

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.

The grants were allocated through a participatory grant-making process, putting the power to decide directly in the hands of local people.  Six individuals with call Hull home and have lived experience joined the decision-making panel.

Thomas Waring, Head of Grants at Two Ridings, explained…

“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.”

This latest round of funding is supporting a wide range of local groups. Mama T’s is opening up performing arts to children with free street dance lessons, giving them the chance to perform on stage and grow in confidence. Beats Bus Records is taking a mobile recording studio into under‑resourced areas, running a six‑week project 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 are creating a peer‑led safe space for women affected by abuse, offering support and professional guidance when needed. 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 planning its next community festival to build on the success of 2024. Together, these grants highlight the breadth of Hull’s community sector and the many ways local people are working to improve lives across the city.

Other local groups are using their funding in different ways:

• 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.

Get involved

These grants are empowering local organisations to make a significant impact in their communities.

Applications for the Hull Community Fund will reopen in Summer 2026, 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.