Hull CC News

Councillor Mike Ross on the Community Strategy Survey

Hull City Council has launched a Community Strategy questionnaire that will help shape the future of Hull.

Everyone is invited to have their say on life in the city. What things are like right now, and their hopes for the next 10 years. The responses will develop a Community Strategy for Hull and help shape local priorities for the next decade.

At the launch event in North Point Shopping Centre, Councillor Mike Ross spoke about the Community Strategy:

“We’re here to get the word out that we want the public of Hull to fill in the Community Strategy.”

“We want to hear from the public of Hull. This is about helping shape Hull’s future over the next ten years, and we can only do that if we hear from the people of Hull what they want.”

“It’s really important that we actually do hear directly what the public of Hull want in this city. We want a listening council and that means getting out and listening to what the public of Hull have to say.”

“This is about helping shaping not what just the council does but other organisations across the city do to help move the city forward over the course of the next ten years.”

Learn more about how to have your say on Hull’s future here.

Hull City Council Launches £1m Love Your Neighbourhood Project

Last week, Hull City Council launched the £1m Love Your Neighbourhood tidy-up project. The programme aims to make streets cleaner and greener and create up to 30 permanent jobs.

At the project’s launch clean-up, Councillor Mike Ross spoke about the Love Your Neighbourhood programme:

“We’re here today, we’re seeing the Love Your Neighbourhood team in action. They’re hitting an area, they are getting it looking cleaner and greener for the residents that live here.”

“This is our commitment to the city, we want to see a cleaner, greener city.”

“Residents of Hull have said that one of their top priorities is how the area looks and feels. This is about investing in local communities to bring them up to scratch, areas that people can feel proud about living in.”

“This will be a case of getting into those areas that need to be given the support they need. So, we really see that investment in terms of tackling issues around the litter, tackling issues around the grass verges.”

“They’ll be tree works, they’ll be all sorts of works improvements to the roads and really helping give that area an uplift to make it look smart again and give area that residents will feel some pride about living in again.”

“We are going to do all we can to help get this city looking clean and green. Really doing everything that we can to do that, which means not a spring clean but other improvement works as well. Fixing broken streetlights, potholes, and all sorts of other work as well – hitting an area once to give it that lift that it needs for the long term.”

Jobs will be available soon via the Hull City Council Employment Hub.

National Apprenticeship Week 2023 – Why You Should Consider An Apprenticeship

Hull Training and Adult Education hosted a ‘Meet The Employers’ event at Hull Central Library last week for National Apprenticeship Week 2023. The event brings together potential apprentices and local businesses.

We spoke to Carol and Theo, both former apprentices, about why you should consider an apprenticeship.

Carol Hull Training and Adult Education said; “The fantastic thing about apprenticeships is that they’re open to any age. So, from 16 to 65 you can do an apprenticeship and upskill within your own company”.

“I’m an ex-apprentice myself, I did the team leading apprenticeship as part of my role. So it’s for any sector, you can do degree apprenticeships, you can do apprenticeships from leaving school. It covers nearly every single industry across that you can think of – there’s usually an apprenticeship that fits”.

“If you was interested in pursuing an apprenticeship you need to be looking on the national apprenticeship website, it’s a government website.”

“Look on our website, the Hull Training and Adult Education website where our vacancies are. Come along to our open events, we have them advertised on our website and on our social media. Give us a ring, email us and we’re open to discussing apprenticeship opportunities with anybody”.

Theo Farrer, a former apprentice said; “I wanted to do an apprenticeship because I still wanted to learn and get a qualification. But I wanted to enter the world of work”.

“Just go for it, even if you’re unsure. If you still want to get a qualification then keep studying or you want to work full time I’d say just go for it”.

“At the end of it you’ll have a qualification. You’ll have those transferable skills that you can take into another job or into another apprenticeship”.

Discover more about National Apprenticeship Week by visiting the official website.

Hull City Council Recruits Mental Health First Aiders

Hull City Council has launched a new policy to support mental health in the workplace. The policy will train employees as Mental Health first aiders, as well as support colleagues in the workplace.

We spoke with Kate Harley, assistant director of Organisation Development and HR at Hull City Council, to find out more.

Hull City Council staff are signing up to support colleagues by becoming accredited Mental Health First Aiders.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an internationally recognised programme designed to raise the profile of mental ill health. They offer expert guidance and training to support mental health, in the workplace and beyond.

Volunteers are also trained to spot the signs of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid basis.

In the same way as learning physical first aid, Mental Health First Aid (HHFA) teaches how to recognise crucial warning signs of mental ill health and how to also feel confident to guide someone to appropriate support.

With 40 staff members already signed up, we hope to double this number with the new policy to support mental health.

You can also find a range of mental health support for residents on the Hull City Council website. Click here to find out more.

Councillor Ieronimo joins cycle track clear-up

Councillor Mark Ieronimo went “back to the floor” as he joined Hull City Council’s dedicated cycle path team for a morning’s work recently.

Full story: Councillor goes ‘back to the floor’ on cycle track tidy-up

Hull City AFC fan Paul and what the MKM Stadium means to fans

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the MKM Stadium, watch our conversation with Hull City fan Paul at the MKM Stadium, as he tells us what it’s meant to the Hull City AFC fans over the last twenty years.

Hull City Council is celebrating 20th anniversary of the MKM Stadium this week. The stadium has overseen some of the cities greatest sporting and musical moments. We met with supporters from both resident clubs, Hull City AFC and Hull FC, to find out what the MKM stadium means to them.

Hull City fan Paul said, “It feels like a long time but you know, you can’t believe it’s been 20 years.”

“I thought it was exactly what the city needed, it was time to move into the future and have something that we can be proud of. It just looked fit for purpose and fit for what we needed. It felt ambitious and felt like we was going somewhere”.

“The stadium’s give us a profile, a proper modern home – a place to be proud of”.

Join in the conversation on our social media channels – follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok and share your favourite memories from the last twenty years.

You can also watch our video to celebrate the stadiums 20th anniversary on YouTube.

Hull FC fan Lisa and her first experience of the MKM Stadium

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the MKM Stadium, watch our conversation with Hull FC fan Lisa as she tells us about her first experience of the MKM stadium.

Hull City Council is celebrating 20th anniversary of the MKM Stadium this week. The stadium has overseen some of the cities greatest sporting and musical moments. We met with supporters of Hull City AFC and Hull FC to find out what the MKM stadium means to them.

Hull FC Lisa fan said, “I was looking at something the other day, showing the building of the stadium. It just seems to have been here forever.”

“It’s crazy really looking back at when it was being built. It was mixed emotions really, we didn’t want to leave what had been our home for so long. But equally, the way that everything was built up looking forward to a new ground as well.

“Entering the stadium for the first time it was just so impressive, a bit of awe that this was our new home. It’s given us the ability to progress”.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok and share your favourite memories from the last twenty years. You can also watch our video to celebrate the stadiums 20th anniversary on YouTube.

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the MKM Stadium

Hull City Council is celebrating 20th anniversary of the MKM Stadium this week. We met with supporters of Hull City AFC and Hull FC to find out what the MKM stadium means to them.

Hull City fan Paul said, “It feels like a long time but, you also can’t believe it’s been 20 years.”

“I was looking at something the other day showing the building of the stadium – it just seems to have been here forever. It’s crazy looking back, especially at when it was being built.”

“I thought it was what the city needed, it was time to move into the future and have something we can be proud of.”

Hull FC fan Lisa tells us about her first experience of the stadium – “I had mixed emotions. I didn’t want to leave our home for so long, but equally was looking forward to a new ground as well. Entering the stadium for the first time, it was also just so impressive. A bit of awe that this was our new home.”

“It was amazing, I could not believe it was our home ground. The stadium looked fit for purpose and fit for what we needed. It felt ambitious, it felt like we were going somewhere.”

“It’s given us the ability to progress, we needed a new facility, a state-of-the-art stadium, which is what we’ve got. The stadium has given us a profile, a proper modern home, a place to be proud of.”

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the MKM Stadium this week. You can also find out more about the history of the stadium here.

Thank you to HEY Volunteering on International Volunteering Day

HEY Volunteering do incredible work supporting people and organisations throughout the region. On International Volunteering Day, watch some familiar faces say thank you and pay tribute to their great work through the region.

Some of the most recognised volunteers in Hull are HEY Volunteering is now part of Visit Hull and East Yorkshire. Over the past year, HEY Volunteering have also completed more than 20,000 volunteering hours across 7,500 volunteering opportunities.

The volunteer programme began in 2016 to support Hull’s year as UK City of Culture. Its impact is still felt more than six years on, with Hull City Council and East Riding Council now also hosting the important programme.

Councillor Mike Ross said: “Hull and East Yorkshire’s volunteers are also known as the big, blue wave of positivity!

“International Volunteering Day is a great chance to celebrate the work of the volunteers, and also to say thank you to everyone who has volunteered and been an ambassador for our city, greeting people with enthusiasm and knowledge and making Hull a friendlier city.

“Thank you to everyone who volunteers in any capacity – you are doing a wonderful thing.”

Around 2,500 HEY! volunteers now support arts, culture and heritage across the region, identifiable by their iconic blue coats.

Find out more about what HEY! Volunteering and how to also get involved here.

Erin Ledsom Unveils Artwork Honouring Frontline Workers

Watch our conversation with local artist Erin Ledsom was who commissioned by Hull City Council to create a piece of artwork recognising and honouring the vital contribution of frontline workers during the pandemic.

Erin is an embroidery artist from Hull and also a recent graduate of the prestigious Royal College of Needlework. Her colourful and textured work often draws inspiration from her hometown. She was Future Ferens Young and Emerging Talent winner at the 2021 Ferens Open Exhibition

Speaking of the exhibition, Erin Ledsom said:

How did you create the artwork?

“It’s hand embroidered, no machines involved. I’ve made it on my iPad, so I do a digital design and print onto fabric.”

What inspired you to create this piece of work?

“I really wanted to put across how thankful we are for all their hard work and all their hard efforts throughout the pandemic. People that would work on phones, or the laptops or computers.”

“They might have had to go out and do a job swap and walk someone’s dog or deliver food parcels.”

“We’ve also got the vaccination centre, the bin men, care workers – all different job roles and just thanking those who worked throughout the pandemic for the city.”

What techniques did you use?

“It’s all hand embroidered and there’s lots of different techniques and lots of different materials. The three crowns, they are all done with technique called gold work.”

“But we’ve also got pipe cleaners, straws, hair bobbles, pom-poms or things that will give texture and lots of bright colours, because I really wanted it to stand out and make people happy as well.”

How does it feel to have an exhibition in Ferens Art Gallery?

“I’m very grateful, I can’t believe that it’s happened. I only graduated last year so for me to get a commission by the City Council is just incredible, so yeah, I’m just really grateful.”

Click here to find out more about Erin Ledsom’s commissioned artwork.

Venus at Hull’s Christmas Lights Switch-On 2022

Watch Venus perform ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ at the Christmas Lights Switch-On 2022. Venus are a female singing duo, Toni and Alex, who have performed across Europe with their stunning live show. They also regularly perform ABBA songs, Motown classics and 90s hits.

DJ Darren Lethem hosted the event, who introduced a host of live performers on the night including:

Dan Furniss
Fascination
Gary Marsden
Lillie Kerman
Venus

Father Christmas joined the line-up on the night, which also featured a firework display over Queen Victoria Square afterwards. The square came alive with stunning light and sound installations as the Christmas lights switched on across the city centre.

Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Kalvin Neal said; “The Christmas lights switch-on always draws a great crowd of people, ready to get the festive season started with a bang. I’m delighted to be joined by some very special guests to take part in the countdown and press the button with me and can’t wait to see Queen Victoria Square lit up looking its very best.”

To discover more events happening over Christmas in Hull, take a look at our What’s On page.

You can also watch the full highlights of the Christmas Lights Switch-On 2022 over on our YouTube channel.

Serena Williams at Hull’s Christmas Lights Switch-On 2022

Watch Serena Williams perform ‘All I Want For Christmas’ by Mariah Carey at the Christmas Lights Switch-On 2022. Serena Williams is a local singer who performs popular hits and classic cover song that will get audiences singing along. She also performed on the night as part of singing duo, Fascination.