Giroscope began its work in 1985, improving the neighbourhood in west Hull, by bringing empty properties back into use as social housing. We received our first grant from Hull and East Riding Charitable Trust in 1987! They have supported our work very generously over the years, and were instrumental in us receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2014.

Hull & East Riding Charitable Trust have supported all aspects of our work in Hull around empty properties and marginalised people. More recently they have provided Giroscope with funds to establish an ‘Emergency Fund’ money that Giroscope distributes to people in need where it can make a real difference – such as buying basic furnishing in a new home, or even paying for the deposit for a new rented home.

Our last grant enabled us to expand the scope of the Emergency Fund and also help to support our Volunteer Programme. Our Volunteer Programme enables those who are disadvantaged in the employment market to carry out work experience in organisation – working on our construction projects, gardening, computer repair and bike maintenance. People come from a range of backgrounds, and present with single and multiple barriers to work, including an offending history, learning difficulties, long term worklessness, poor mental health, recovery from addiction. Our Volunteer Programme helps people to regain their self-esteem, build confidence, reduce social isolation and increase their chances of achieving employment and training opportunities.