HEY! Volunteers have continued to support events following 2017 City of Culture and have become iconic within the city

Spotlight on opportunities in Hull during Volunteers’ Week

Residents across Hull have the chance to make a huge difference in their communities by exploring the wealth of volunteering options available in the city.

As part of Volunteers’ Week 2025, people are being urged to find out how they can help in their local areas.

The Time2Volunteer platform is available across Hull, as well as the East Riding, and brings volunteering opportunities together with support for volunteers into one place. 

It has been developed through collaboration with public, private and voluntary sector bodies, who invest in, value and celebrate volunteers.

The Leader of Hull City Council, Councillor Mike Ross, said: “We have a long history in our city of people putting others first by volunteering their time and energy.

“Even in more recent times, we think back to 2017 and the huge difference made by the iconic blue-coated volunteers during our City of Culture year.

“Now known as HEY! Volunteering, the group has thousands of volunteers supporting arts, culture and heritage across our part of the world.

“But there are so many more great opportunities as well, which is why I urge our residents to check out Time2Volunteer to see how they can use their talents to help others.”

Volunteering opportunities are available for all ages, whether older or younger, and there are schemes available which can benefit those entering the world of employment, with linked training and support.

Working4Good provides high-quality training, working closely with local organisations to offer varied and accessible work-related experience opportunities.

Designed and delivered by Hull Community and Voluntary Services (Hull CVS), it includes a Volunteer Academy Training Programme, which is available to new or existing volunteers.

Also available is the Volunteer to Employment Pathway Programme, which provides individualised support to 16 to 18-year-olds to gain the knowledge, skills and experience needed to progress into future employment opportunities.

Councillor Ross added: “One of the other benefits of volunteering is how it helps combat loneliness.

“Hull City Council is asking residents to contribute to an NHS research project being managed locally through the Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust to reduce isolation and loneliness.

“Volunteers can make a real difference on this – whether helping someone who feels alone, or by offering opportunities to those who are lonely to help them volunteer and get together with others in their community.”

There’s more information about volunteering in Hull here.

Volunteers from the Yorkshire Coast Community Rail Partnership hosted a guided walk from Hessle Train Station to Ferriby Train Station as part of Community Rail Week in May.