The Hull Volunteering Programme
Evaluation from one of the great legacies of Hull’s City of Culture year.
Spirit of 2012 supported Hull 2017 UK City of Culture as one of its principal partners. There was a high level of enthusiasm and commitment amongst volunteers, partners and across the city for the volunteer programme to continue beyond 2017. In 2019, we awarded Absolutely Cultured – who delivered the Hull City of Culture programme – £600,000 to develop the volunteering programme for a further three years.
£200,000 was then awarded to Hull City Council in June 2021. This award supported the volunteering programme from 2021 – 2024 to be integrated into the Visit Hull and East Yorkshire Tourism Partnership (VHEY), with a focus on expansion beyond Hull, into the whole region.
The volunteering programme that emerged from Hull 2017 is widely regarded not only as a huge success for their City of Culture year, but also a lasting legacy.
An evaluation report has been produced upon the conclusion of each phase, reviewing the journey that the volunteering programme has taken towards a sustainable, post-City of Culture future and the learnings from this. The programme continues, fully funded by Hull City Council, and is now known as HEY! Volunteering.
IMPACT & LEARNING
Learning
- Adopt a Volunteer-Centred Approach: prioritising volunteers’ needs, offering broad, flexible and inclusive roles has been fundamental to the success of the programme.
- Offer Comprehensive Training & Support: having regular check-ins, providing thorough training and using a “buddy system” have been meant that volunteers feel looked-after, prepared and confident in their roles.
- Recognise & Reward Volunteers: masterclasses, celebration events and the iconic blue uniforms have kept volunteers engaged and satisfied, with an enhanced sense of community.
- Prioritise Two-Way Communication with Volunteers: regular consultation ensures transparency and trust during periods of change and upheaval and the programme can be adapted to meet their needs and preferences.
- Adapt to Change: keep evolving to suit and embrace different contexts without losing core elements of the programme.
- Establish Strategic Partnerships: collaborating with partners, such as local authorities and tourism bodies can provide financial and operational stability and expand the programme’s reach and range of opportunities.
Impact
- 96% enjoyed their experience as a volunteer
- 86% learnt new skills
- 70% felt more connected to the city
- 79% increased their engagement level with the community of Hull
- 61% felt they can now take action to improve their local community
- 57% increased life satisfaction & self confidence
VolunteerThe warmth, the togetherness, the inclusivity; that made me really love being in Hull. And that is part of the reason why I’m trying to give back by joining as a volunteer, to give back to the East Yorkshire region.