Hull Sisters

In 2023 Hull Sisters become a Community Grant partner and will be funded by the Smallwood Trust for the next three years. Their work supports disadvantaged BAME women and girls since 2012 and represent a specialist service for promoting the independence of excluded women in Hull and East Riding.

Alongside issues such as poor health, social isolation, food poverty and financial hardship, they understand racism and sexism as key barriers in seeking support and provide a service that is culturally appropriate and acknowledges these complexities.

Previously, the Trust awarded a grant of £26,029 through The National Lottery Community Fund to meet extremely high levels of demand during COVID-19. This included bringing in additional staff members to help clients work through concerns, build solutions and improve their mental wellbeing. In addition to this, the funding was instrumental in providing essential items to low-income mothers and their children to  ensure their basic needs were covered during lockdown.

“The grant enabled us to provide 179 financially vulnerable women and their families with emergency food parcels and essential items…it has been a lifesaver”

Sonia Jalal, Board Member