Stress Awareness Month
1st April - 30th April 2025
A small amount of stress can be beneficial to us. It can even motivate and drive us to achieve amazing things. However, too much stress means that our physical and mental health may suffer. Every one of us is unique and the difference between just enough stress and too much stress varies from person to person.
During times of uncertainty, it’s more important than ever that we support each other, show compassion and, remember there is help available if you need it.
Our Health and Wellbeing SharePoint page has been recently updated and developed to include a wide range of resources, signposting information and support provisions. If you are looking for support, it’s the first place to check out, with everything in one place.
Mental Health First Aiders
Who are the Mental Health First Aiders? Mental health first aid (MHFA) is the mental health equivalent of a physical first-aid course. These dedicated first aiders are trained to recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health issues, provide help and guide you toward the right support services.
Mental Health First Aiders are here to listen, and they create a safe environment for you to share how you're really feeling. They will only break confidentiality if they are concerned that you may be at risk of harming yourself or others.
Get talking!
Staff networks
Studies have shown that simply talking about our worries, concerns and sharing our feelings towards a stressful situation, in circles of trust, can be profoundly healing. It strengthens our immune system and can help to reduce physical and emotional distress.
Staff networks can be a safe space to talk with other colleagues. A space in which you can share your stresses and be provided with a sense of community and belonging. The networks foster social connections, psychological safety and contribute to a positive work environment. Staff Networks can also be good for individuals who may be experiencing minority stress.
DARAs
Dignity and Respect Advisors (DARAs) play a key role in ensuring our colleagues feel supported. We have created a detailed training package which will equip all DARAs with the skills and resources they need to offer help and guidance for a wide range of matters.
DARAs provide a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental space to listen to concerns, offer help and support to overcome a multitude of EDI and wellbeing matters and signpost to internal and external support resources. Please note, DARAs are unable to provide counselling or legal advice.
Women's History Month and International Women's Day
1st March - 31st March 2025
Background of Women's History Month
Originating from International Women's Day on 8 March, Women's History Month has evolved to encompass the entire month of March in the UK. It serves as a dedicated time to educate and inspire individuals about the pivotal roles women have played in various fields, including politics, science, arts, and social reform.Why? At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158 (about five generations from now) to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum. And that’s just not good enough! At the University, we know we can do better, be better, and drive change faster, bolder, and with real impact.
International Women's Day 2025: #AccelerateAction
This year’s theme? Accelerate Action. Gender equality isn’t just a goal, it’s a necessity. The World Economic Forum’s data tells us the uncomfortable truth: progress is too slow. We need to dismantle the barriers, biases, and outdated systems that are holding women back. Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality.It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres. So, let’s not just celebrate women’s history, let’s speed up the future. Let’s #AccelerateAction and push for real change.
Join Hull University Business School (HUBS) in celebrating
HUBS is celebrating International Women’s Day 2025, embracing this year’s theme: Accelerate Action. The event will honour the remarkable achievements of the participants who have successfully completed the HUBS Women in Leadership Accelerator Programme - a transformative initiative designed to empower and elevate female leaders.
When: Wednesday the 12 March, 12 - 2pm | Where: Hull University Business school. Register here!
Women's leadership for resilience and transformation - a global dialogue
This workshop provides a platform for amplifying the voices of displaced women, celebrating their resilience and creativity, and inspiring action towards a more inclusive and equitable world - both within and beyond academia.
When: Monday 24th March, 10am-5pm | Where: Discovery Room, Nidd Building and online via teams. Register here!
Closing the gap on gender pay inequality
Our 2024 Gender Pay Gap report has been published! Over the last year, and beyond, we’ve been striving to make our University an inclusive place to work, and this has resulted in some encouraging results in our latest Gender Pay Gap (GPG) report.
Ramadan
28th February – 30th March 2025
Recognising Ramadan at the University
As Ramadan approaches, we want to acknowledge this special time for our Muslim colleagues and students. To support our community, we are extending prayer facility opening hours, connecting with local Imams, and providing social spaces for breaking fast.On Monday 3 March, we will also be offering dates and water in the Islamic Prayer Facility, along with a selection of pizzas in The Nest.Extended opening hours - Islamic prayer facilityTo ensure colleagues and students can observe their faith on campus, the Islamic Prayer Facility will have extended opening hours throughout Ramadan. The space has also been deep cleaned ahead of the holy month.Opening hours:28 February - 30 March | 4am - 10.30pmPlease note that access is for registered users only.
Pre-Ramadan meeting with local Imams
Our local Imams, Imam Mizan and Imam Abid, led a pre-Ramadan session to help staff and students prepare spiritually and mentally for the month ahead. This session was held on the 11th of February at 7:30pm, with number of staff and students attending.
Ramadan at The Nest
Throughout Ramadan, The Nest will be available as a social space for staff and students to come together and break fast in the evenings. The space will also be decorated to mark the occasion. On Monday 3 March, the University will provide a selection of pizzas, and dates and water will be available in the Islamic Prayer Facility.
Date: Monday 3 March | Time: 5 - 10pm (Pizzas served at 6pm)
Location: The Nest, Student Union Building.
The Nest is a social space with facilities for preparing food, offering a welcoming place to gather as a community.
Access and further information
Access to the Islamic Prayer Facility and these events is for staff and students only. Card access is required prior to attendance. To request prayer room access, please complete the online form.
To all our Muslim colleagues and students, we wish you a blessed Ramadan. May this month bring you peace, joy, and spiritual renewal. For any questions, please email chaplaincy@hull.ac.uk.
LGBTQ+ History Month
February 2025
This year marks the 20th anniversary of LGBTQ+ History Month in the UK, and we are excited to honour the theme of "Activism and Social Change."
Why LGBTQ+ History Month Matters
Established in 2005 by Schools OUT UK, LGBTQ+ History Month provides a dedicated space to celebrate the rich and diverse history of LGBTQ+ communities. Each year, we reflect on the past, acknowledge the present, and strive to create a more inclusive future. The 2025 theme, "Activism and Social Change," highlights the key role LGBTQ+ individuals have played in advocating for equality and transforming society.
Spotlight on LGBTQ+ Activists
Throughout history, several LGBTQ+ figures have been instrumental in driving social change. Some notable LGBTQ+ figures include:
- Octavia Hill: A social reformer and co-founder of the National Trust, Hill's work in housing and urban planning laid the groundwork for modern social housing.
- Ivor Cummings: Known as the "gay father of the Windrush generation," Cummings was a civil servant who played a key role in supporting Caribbean migrants settling in the UK.
- Annie Kenney: A prominent suffragette and trade unionist, Kenney was one of the few working-class women to become a leading figure in the Women's Social and Political Union.
- Charlie Kiss: A transgender activist and former parliamentary candidate, Kiss has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness.
- Olaudah Equiano: An abolitionist and writer, Equiano's autobiography depicted the horrors of slavery and influenced the abolition movement in the UK.
Join Our LGBTQ+ Book Event! 🏳️🌈
As part of our celebrations, the LGBTQ+ Staff network is hosting a special LGBTQ+ book event featuring ‘The Little Book of Pride’ by Lewis Laney, a compelling narrative that delves into themes of activism and social change within the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you're passionate about LGBTQ+ literature or eager to learn more, this event offers a wonderful opportunity to connect and reflect. The event is open to all staff and students!
We’ll be looking at the chapter titled “The First Pride (Was a Riot)” to discuss the history and beginning of Pride. You can access the book here or look at it in our library.
When: Thursday the 27th of February, 11:00am-12:30pm
Where: Allam Medical Building, Meeting Room 3
Get Involved!
- Educate Yourself: Explore LGBTQ+ history through books, films, and documentaries. You can look at all media we have available in the library using the Library Search option – click here to go to it.
- Support LGBTQ+ Initiatives: Engage with organisations and events that promote equality and inclusion. We have several local LGBTQ+ charities and organisations such as [add a few charities].
Let’s come together to celebrate the progress achieved and continue advocating for a more inclusive future.
Happy LGBTQ+ History Month 2025! 🎉🏳️🌈
Disability History Month
14th November - 20th December 2024
During this special month from the 14th November to the 20th December we come together to celebrate, support, and raise awareness for our disabled community. It's a time to honour the diversity and strength of our friends, family members, and colleagues who have a disability. This year the theme is ‘Disability, Livelihood and Employment’ which brings a focus on some of the barriers employees with a disability can face, but also opens a dialogue about the myths and stigma often associated with the community.
Disability and Employment - What does the data say?
With non-disabled workers earning almost a sixth more than their disabled colleagues, the wage disparity gap is now larger than it was a decade ago, according to research by the TUC. There is also a significant difference in the employment rate, with only 54% of disabled employees working compared to 82%. However, there has been an increase in disabled workers returning to the workplace year on year and the disability disclosure rates among staff working in UK higher education has consistently increased in the last decade. The increase is marked this year, increasing by 7.1% since 2019/20. These two increases do show a positive change and it’s important to acknowledge that disabled employees, more than ever before in history, are being protected by employment policies and as a community are breaking through societal stereotypes.
Human Living Library - "This is Me!"
It is incredibly important to hear people’s stories and understand that everyone will have different lived experiences and different needs- the Human Living Library offers perspectives from our university community and is an ever-growing library of lived experiences of people from different walks of life, including those who have disabilities and their intersectional identities. Check out the ‘This is Me!’ campaign, initiated by the Disability Staff Network, which shares colleagues/students personal experience of disability. If you want to share your story email dsn@hull.ac.uk.
Access here https://libguides.hull.ac.uk/c.php?g=704328&p=5231412
Disability Staff Network
There are a range of support options available to staff who have a disability at the University, including the Disability Staff Network. The aim of the Disability Staff Network is to bring together staff with disabilities or restrictive health conditions in a confidential and safe environment to share experiences, resources and support. The network will share best practice, ideas and information on disability inclusion to help the university develop effective solutions to any barriers. The network will also be a force to feed into the EDI Governance Board to promote organisational change in relation to disability inclusion. If you want to become a member, please email dsn@hull.ac.uk.
We invite all members of our community to actively participate in Disability History Month, engaging in the events and campaigns ongoing on campus, viewing the Human Living Library and having conversations that celebrate the diverse experiences of individuals who have disabilities.
The UK Disability History Month website is another great resource to educate yourself about disabilities and the effect it can have on people from early childhood and through their whole lives. Access here https://ukdhm.org/
Online Events:
Lunch and learn - exploring disability through stories and research
Celebrate Disability History month with a lunchtime session filled with insight and discussion.
Highlights include:
• Research on disability during the Victorian era
• Neurodiversity considerations in education, shared by students
• Colleagues sharing lived experience and personal reflections on living with a disability
When: Wednesday 11 December 12noon - 1.30pm
Where: Brynmor Jones Library - Teaching room 4
This event is open to everyone - no booking required!
Black History Month
October 2024
This year’s Black History Month theme, “Reclaiming Narratives,” marks a powerful movement to correct historical misrepresentations and uplift the untold stories of Black culture and heritage. The focus is on uncovering the full, complex history of Black communities - highlighting their voices, achievements, and legacies.
There are a number of events happening during Black History Month, have a look at them below!
- Wednesday 2nd October, 15:00-16:30 event: A brief history of historically Black colleges and universities: Before King and after Kamala by Dr Tiffancy Holloman - bradford.ac.uk/about/equality/centre-for-inclusion-diversity/celebrations-diversity-events/black-history-month/
- Thursday 10th October, 12:30-14:00 event: Socially Inspired Celebrating Black History Month 2024 A discussion about colourism in the Black community and explore how it affects us all - eventbrite.co.uk/e/socially-inspired-celebrating-black-history-month-2024-tickets-972093717477?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
- Saturday 5th-6th October event: The Black Heritage of Hull Collective & Creatives Presents: The Sound of Our Skin. A 2-day Arts Festival that celebrates the richness of diverse human experiences and challenges discriminative racial narratives across venues on Hull’s High Street. From day into the evening The Sound of Our Skin invites everyone to experience a thrilling and unique culturally diverse festival that showcasing music and art from different cultural backgrounds. There’s a programme here: https://www.hullblackhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Sound-of-Our-Skin-24-Programme.pdf
- Saturday 5th October, 10:00-14:00 event.
- "‘It’s MY Party!’ Wilberforce Institute of Slavery and Emancipation Building 10am - 2pm In collaboration with The Herd Theatre Company and Sidmouth Primary School - The Sound of Our Skin presents ‘It’s My Party!’ - a chance to join a party designed entirely by children of the Global Majority and inspired by diverse cultures. Bring the family, join the fun and immerse yourself in a party you will never want to leave!" Wilberforce Institute, 27 High Street, Hull, HU11NE
Pride in Hull
July 2024
We had an incredible day at Pride in Hull! 🌈 We were overjoyed to be a part of this amazing celebration of love, diversity, and inclusion. It was truly inspiring to see the community come together, stand proud, and support one another. Our stall was buzzing with energy, and we are thrilled to share that we had a very successful day, raising funds for our LGBTQ+ scholarships!
Thanks to everyone who stopped by, donated, and shared stories of hope, strength, and unity. Your support helps us create opportunities for LGBTQ+ students and ensures a more inclusive and equitable future for all. This was more than just a day of celebration—it was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we stand together.
Here’s to love, pride, and the continued fight for equality!