The Hull FC Community Foundation have successfully received funding for their ‘Tackle It’ project, which aims to support vulnerable people living in North Hull.
Specifically focused on the Orchard Park and neigbouring Brandholme wards, ranked 281 and 231 out of 32,844 in latest Index of Multiple Deprivation, these areas are amongst the most deprived in England, with communities here having shorter life expectancy and a poorer state of health.
Both have higher rates of unemployment than local or national averages. Adults are less likely to be physically active which in turn correlates with higher instances of obesity, cancers, and heart disease.
North Hull has an ageing population, with poor mental health, particularly loneliness and social isolation, key contributing factors, especially in Men.
With concern that the COVID-19 pandemic could have a large potential impact on worsening health inequalities in the area, through loss of work, social isolation or less access to key services, the project aims to tackle to tackle the significant toll on both an individual’s physical and mental health as well as their families that the pandemic could take.
‘Tackle It’ will offer an immediate six month responsive project offering tailored support to approximately 350 of the most affected by COVID-19 in North Hull.
The Hull FC Community Foundation have received a total of £13,180 from the National Lottery Community Fund in order to carry out the project.
The project’s intended outcomes relate to provision of immediate services, maintaining physical and mental wellbeing, and providing basic support services that assist people back into employment.
The key strands of ‘Tackle It’ are:
Practical Support: As the charitable arm of Hull FC, we will galvanise a volunteer movement which will empower those who are fit and healthy to carry out volunteer tasks for those most in need. This will include collecting basic food supplies, delivering wellbeing packs, and befriending phone calls that support social contact. All volunteer activity will be completed mindful of social distancing restrictions.
Keeping Well: The Hull FC wellbeing team will deliver a range of online activities that support physical and mental wellbeing when in isolation. This will include opportunities that encourage people to be active at home, group based mental resilience activities, structured reminiscence sessions (focused particularly for older people), and promotion of financial wellbeing information with partner Barclays.
Future Readiness: Hull FC education tutors will deliver daily online ‘Skills Sessions’ which focus on supporting unemployed individuals to re-enter the workplace. The online tutorials will include aspects such as curriculum vitae development, interview skills, and job search activity. The ‘Skills Sessions’ will have the support of Hull FC business partners who will offer ‘world of work’ sessions with staff from the Chamber of Commerce and Job Centre Plus engaging to promote current employment vacancies.
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