2023

Member Support and Engagement – 2023 Overview 

While 2023 saw the Neighbourhood Network (NN) expand its reach across Hull through new projects, the charity remained committed to supporting its existing member groups citywide. Membership continued to grow, with seven new Neighbourhood Watch groups joining the network—spanning five of Hull’s seven ward areas. 

Ongoing Member Support – Throughout the year, 1-2-1 support was consistently offered to groups seeking advice or assistance from the NN team. By the end of 2023, the network had 496 registered groups, with over 60 direct support requests logged. Additionally, the NN responded to 102 separate enquiries from Hull residents who were not affiliated with specific projects but reached out for community-based support. 

Sharing Member Stories – Members increasingly requested help sharing their updates and events. During 2023, 43-member group news items were featured in the NN’s fortnightly newsletter, with many more stories promoted through NN’s social media platforms. 

Presence at Member Events – The NN team was actively involved in the community, attending 23 in-person events and meetings hosted by member groups across Hull. These engagements provided valued support and helped strengthen connections across the network. 

Resource Support for Grassroots Groups – Practical resources remained a key part of NN’s support offer. In 2023, the team distributed 170 NHW window stickers and erected 14 new NHW street signs. In addition, 1,460 copies of bespoke community newsletters were designed, printed, and delivered on behalf of seven member groups. 

Partnership Working, Engagement & Projects – 2023 Overview 

In 2023, the Neighbourhood Network (NN) remained committed to its mission by strengthening both new and existing partnerships with public sector bodies, private organisations, and VCSE partners. These collaborations continued to enhance community safety and wellbeing across Hull. Over the year, the NN team participated in numerous partnership meetings, events, and activities, and responded to a wide range of external support requests, including: 

• 56 requests for support from Humberside Police 

• 137 Humberside Police stories featured in the NN fortnightly newsletter 

• 76 instances of support provided to Hull City Council 

• Continued representation on the Bransholme Trust funding panel, administered by Hull CVS 

Humber Watch Association (HWA) – The NN continued to administer the Humber Watch Association and, as a lead Force Association representative, regularly attended national Neighbourhood Watch (NHWN) meetings. This ensured up-to-date knowledge of national campaigns and guidance, which was effectively cascaded to member groups across Humberside. In 2023, HWA strengthened unified messaging to local groups and worked alongside East Riding of Yorkshire Council to address breaches of the NHW Code of Ethics. 

‘Lock It or Lose It’ Project – Now in its seventh year, this crime prevention initiative saw 354 bike locks distributed across the region, including 9 directly to victims of cycle theft. The project continues to thrive through collaboration with partners such as HCAL and Hull University Teaching Hospitals, with a focus on targeting cycle crime hotspots and promoting secure bike storage among staff and service users. 

‘Safer You’ Project – This initiative grew significantly in 2023, supporting 49 households across four Hull wards through the distribution of 148 personal and home safety items. Referrals were received via Humberside Police and Hull City Council staff identifying vulnerable individuals. Items disseminated included door and window alarms, hasp and staple locks, personal alarms, dummy CCTV cameras, and Patlocks—enhancing safety and reassurance for those most in need. 

Online Crime Reduction Equipment Shop – During 2023, there was a slight decline in sales, with 399 items sold compared to 411 items in 2022.  This dip is potentially due to other workloads taking priority, diverting attention away from sale promotions.  However, the team remain proactive, redirecting focus towards other initiatives such as the sale of bike locks within the ‘Lock It or Lose It’ project. 

Alf Marshall Community Centre – 2023 Overview 

In 2023, the Neighbourhood Network (NN) reached an important milestone in its growth by taking over the management of the Alf Marshall Community Centre in Bransholme. The lease was officially signed on 28th March 2023, and the charity immediately began upgrading the facility to create a more welcoming and functional space for the community. 

Initial refurbishment works included the installation of new heaters and lighting, the creation of an internal corridor to optimise space usage, the addition of a rear storage room, and a deep clean and repaint of all internal rooms. 

While renovations were underway, the NN team actively engaged with residents through street outreach and community consultation sessions to gather their ideas and aspirations for the centre. These insights formed the foundation of a community-focused business plan. 

The centre’s official reopening took place in conjunction with the King’s Coronation, marked by a family fun day organised by the NN team to welcome the community back into the revitalised space. 

Thanks to generous support from The National Lottery Community Fund, Two Ridings Community Foundation (Know Your Neighbourhood Fund), and Hull City Council’s Winter Warmth Fund, the team was able to deliver a wide range of free activities based on community feedback. These included: 

• Family cooking sessions 

• Fitness classes 

• SEND-friendly family activities 

• A social club for over-55s 

• Coffee mornings 

• And much more 

By the end of 2023, the centre had hosted 299 community sessions, with an estimated 3,971 attendees—though the true number is likely even higher, as not all participants signed in. 

Menopaus’ull Support Network – 2023 Overview 

Following a successful first year, the Menopaus’ull team began 2023 by reflecting on their achievements and gathering feedback from the community to shape the project’s future. Although faced with funding challenges, the team remained committed to delivering essential support—albeit at a reduced capacity. Demand for the service continued to grow, further highlighting the importance of the project within the community. 

Securing continuation funding enabled the launch of Phase 2, which introduced a new focus: documenting the personal stories of women involved in the project’s research during year one. In partnership with a researcher from the School of the Arts at the University of Hull, the team began developing a creative theatre production to share these stories in a powerful and thought-provoking way. This performance aims to reach wider audiences both locally and nationally. 

Key Achievements in 2023 include: 

• 20 Menopause Cafés and Walk & Talk sessions held across Hull 

• 21 library book loans through the Menopaus’ull Library (Hull & East Riding) 

• 35 sales through the online shop, offering 11 different items 

• 101 blog posts published on the Menopaus’ull website 

• 962 members in the Facebook support group 

• 12 monthly newsletters sent, featuring 108 articles and reaching 291 subscribers 

• 7 Health MOT sessions delivered, accessed by 57 women 

• Hosted the Menopause Hull event in the city centre, in collaboration with MP Emma Hardy, during Menopause Awareness Month 

• Delivered 2 bespoke presentations—one to a local school’s staff and another for the Ideas Fund 

• Supported 2 medical practice drop-in events, offering advice and resources 

• Delivered 2 Phase 2 workshops: an introductory session and a creative pottery workshop 

In total, the Menopaus’ull Support Network reached and supported over 2,000 women across Hull and East Riding in 2023—whether through in-person activities, digital content, or community events. The continued impact of the project underlines its vital role in addressing the needs of women navigating the menopausal transition. 

For more information, visit www.mnetwork.org.uk. 

Hopes for 2024 and beyond 

Plans include making headway into furthering the long-term sustainability of the NN, along with its key projects that are really making a difference. The plans are to keep reaching into the communities of Hull and even further into the surrounding counties, supporting residents to support themselves in building safer and healthier communities. 

Key plans for 2024 include: 

• To deliver a 2024 HWA association event for grassroot community groups within the Humberside force area 

• To further explore the potential growth of ‘Menopaus’ull – considering it as its own entity as it develops from the Ideas Fund 

• To collaboratively work with other VCS organisations in supporting the residents of Hull and beyond 

• To obtain Community Safety funding to further support those communities at grassroot level effected by crime and disorder. 

• To develop the income for the Alf Marshall community Centre so it relies less on funding and is more sustainable.  

• Launch the Alf Marshall Centre website – www.alfmarshallcentre.org.uk 

• Overhaul the NN website to better reflect the organisation it is today