Be on the list

Community and voluntary organisations across Hull are being invited to register their contact details on the city’s first-ever city-wide community directory.
Whether you’re a support group, community centre, offer training services or help young people, as long as your organisation is not-for-profit it is eligible to be listed in the directory.
“There are such a lot of organisations out there that we just don’t know about, but if everyone responded, there could be more than 800 entries,” says Andrea Humphries, of HU6 Community Directory, the group compiling the list.
For an application form please email hu6directory@aol.co.uk or ring 804079 The closing date for entries is 31 July.
It’s hoped the directory will be published online and on disk, and in a limited number of hard copies, by February 2010.

More travel, less hassle

More travel, less hassle Disabled passengers in the city can use public transport with greater ease, thanks to ‘Easy Rider’ travel wallets and tactile bus bay signs at Hull Paragon Interchange.
The high-visibility wallets can be issued to disabled people and used every time they travel to attract the attention of bus and taxi drivers and staff on trains and at the Interchange who can then offer assistance.
The bay signs – which have information in Braille and raised black lettering on a yellow background – help people with visual impairments find the bus departure point they need.
They have been developed as part of a partnership between Hull City Council, East Yorkshire Motor Services, Stagecoach, Hull Taxi Drivers’ Association, First Transpennine, and disability groups.
For more information call 300300.

Make your mark

A project has been launched to help young people increase their confidence and self esteem by helping others.
TOO MAD (Think of Others Make a Difference) is aimed at young people aged 15-20 who can choose a local or national charity and organise a sponsored event – which could be anything from abseiling to hill walking – to raise money.
The project has been launched by RAPP (the Rights and Participation Project), which offers an independent advice, support and advocacy service for children and young people in need or at risk in Hull.
If you would like to get involved in TOO MAD contact Craig Clark or Lisa Billany at RAPP on 300300.

Waste not want not

More and more businesses in Hull are donating unwanted stock to the charity Scrapstore, thanks to an article in May’s Hull in print.
The charity collects any stock which can be used for children’s arts and craft activities, then passes it on to groups including scouts and brownies, community centres, nurseries and crèches.
The Model Shop, on Ferensway, Hull, is one of the latest businesses to donate to Scrapstore.
Co-director Alan Thompson said: “There is always someone who can use redundant stock.
This is much better than destroying it.”
Meanwhile, the charity’s work has been praised by Hull City Council for helping to cut the amount of waste being put in landfill.
For more information contact Scrapstore on 328750.

Food movement comes to Hull

Hull City Council and NHS Hull have launched Hull’s first Jamie Oliver ‘Pass It On’ event.
The event, held at the Territorial Army’s Middleton Barracks, Calvert Lane, involved members of the armed forces, emergency services, nurses, school cooks, parking enforcement officers and many other volunteers, who all taught each other to cook simple dishes.
Jamie Oliver, who sent a recorded message to be played at the event, said: “It’s not a campaign, it’s a movement – we are trying to get people to cook.
“We want people to be able to cook from scratch and then pass the recipes and skills onto friends and family.”
It’s hoped more Pass It On events and cooking programmes will be held across the city this summer.
To find out more call 300300.

New lord mayor

The new lord mayor of Hull, Cllr Karen Woods, was elected at Hull City Council’s annual general meeting in May.
Throughout the next year, her duties will include chairing full council meetings to ensure Hull’s 58 other elected councillors have a fair chance to speak.
She will also attend hundreds of engagements at which her roles will include presenting awards, meeting business representatives and welcoming overseas dignitaries to the city.
Cllr Woods is the third successive woman to hold the position.
The mayor also has the title of admiral of the Humber and welcomes visiting captains from Royal Navy and merchant vessels to the city.
The deputy lord mayor will be Cllr David Gemmell, also pictured.

Help for job seekers

Hull residents with autism and related conditions can now receive help to find work.
A charity called Autism Plus has received funding from the Big Lottery Reaching Communities Fund to help people with autism and related conditions achieve their employment aspirations.
The Job Steps project will provide job preparation training, structured job searches and in-work support by developing ‘circles of support’ around the individual.
Autism Plus is also working with Remploy on another scheme called the Emerald Project which aims to help people with learning difficulties find employment.
This project provides employment and life skills coaching, mentoring, job clubs, and work-based learning.
For more information visit www.autismplus.org

Youth justice

Do you have time to spare and do you want to ensure justice is done for victims of crime and young offenders in Hull? If so, volunteering on a Youth Offending Team community referral panel may be for you.
After a first appearance at Youth Court, a young offender can appear before a panel with their parents or carers, and often the victim, who all have a say about the crime committed and its consequences.
Volunteers sit on the panel to decide on the appropriate action for the young person, which could be a commitment to attend school or an anger management course.
The panel meets once every two or three weeks and volunteers need to give around three hours for each sitting.
For more information call Nick Metcalfe on 609991.