KCOM’s year at the heart of Hull

In 2018 KCOM continued to be at the heart of Hull by supporting and volunteering in many of the city’s vibrant communities.

But do you know exactly what KCOM does to help Hull’s charities, schools, festivals and community organisations? In the 114 years since KCOM began in Hull, we’ve been at the centre of the city’s daily life – and 2018 was no exception.

Brendon Smurthwaite, KCOM’s community coordinator, said: “We love to get involved in the local community and do what we can to make Hull an even better place to live. 2018 was a busy year for us with so many activities and events to get stuck into, but when you see the positive difference a company like KCOM can make to local people it makes it all worth it.

“The next 12 months are shaping up to be just as busy, so we won’t be resting on our laurels. We’re very much looking forward to getting back out there and meeting lots of brilliant community spirited people – as well as lots of old friends – in Hull and East Yorkshire.”

Here are ten facts about what we got up to in 2018.

• During 2018 we contributed 1,890 hours of volunteering to the local community through our employees
  
  
• Throughout the year we visited 12 local primary schools with our Simnet Challenge activity which teaches children how the internet works in a fun and engaging way. We also launched our new KCOM Key Skills day programme in September, delivering nine sessions across three local primary schools
  
  
• In 2018 we also supported 21 secondary schools and colleges with a range of different careers and enterprise events
  
  
• We’ve helped dozens of local people to get online through our monthly drop-in sessions at our Carr Lane Learning Zone and at outreach sessions at sheltered housing and libraries across the East Riding
  
  
• In 2018 we awarded 17 quarterly community grants of up to £500 to charities and community groups locally. These included the Sailors Children’s Society, Peter’s World Hull Autism Support, Hedon Scout Group and Withernsea Lighthouse Museum
  
  
• We are a Silver Partner of the Hull Children’s University which uses KCOM’s Learning Zone in Carr Lane to deliver some of their modules for local youngsters
  
  
• In June, we supported the Big Malarkey children’s literary festival in East Park. We also continued to be a supporter of Hull’s Freedom Festival
  
  
• We’re also a key partner for several major events in the region including the Hull Civic Society Heritage Open Days, Disability Sports Humber Awards and Global Entrepreneurship Week
  
  
• Each year, we support Hull Foodbank and a local homeless charity with an employee collection of food and toiletries

In December, for the eighth year running, we also helped more than 80 local disadvantaged children with our annual Christmas shoebox collection - providing toys and festive treats to Hull youngsters