Supporting young people has also been important. For decades, we’ve visited schools, colleges and universities across the United Kingdom, helping the next generation of talent take their first steps into the creative industries.

But, until now, our efforts have been informal and spread across many places. The GF Smith Charitable Trust changes that. With the Trust, we can now officially focus our efforts where they’re needed most. By providing targeted support we’re able to do more and do it better.

With the Trust we can now support our community and the creative sector with greater impact and purpose than ever before. We aim to break down barriers to opportunity and ensure that talent and potential are never limited by circumstance.

The Trust will:

Support people and organisations in our home postcode area of HU2.

More widely, support people and organisations across the city of Hull.

Provide grants, tools, materials, and training to young individuals and organisations involved in creative education throughout the United Kingdom in the graphic design or visual arts sectors.

Every year, we’ll donate 2% of our profits to the GF Smith Charitable Trust. This funding will be distributed through grants or practical resources.

People and organisations are invited to apply for funding for projects, arts education programmes, cultural events, and opportunities. This could include anything from transport for a workshop visit to purchasing specialist equipment. Applications will be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis by our board of trustees.

But it doesn’t stop there. The Trust will also offer work experience placements, factory tours, and visits from the GF Smith team, helping to build knowledge and long-term relationships.

Through the GF Smith Charitable Trust, we want to make a meaningful, measurable impact. We’re taking action to address both the challenges people and organisations face locally and the shrinking budgets for arts and creative education across the UK.

We believe that talent should never be limited by circumstance. That’s why we’re committed to helping as many people as we can have access to the opportunities they deserve. Together, we’re creating a future where creativity thrives and opportunities are within people’s reach. The GF Smith Charitable Trust is more than an initiative – it’s a commitment to HU2, Hull, and everyone’s creative potential.

We are determined that the activities of the GF Smith Charitable Trust are shaped by the needs of the people and organisations we work with. While grants are a key part of what we offer, we also listen to our partners to understand how else we can help. Here are some examples:

Our first grant was awarded to CASE, located in our HU2 area. CASE is a centre dedicated to supporting young people and adults with learning disabilities in Hull and the surrounding region. They needed a solar-powered generator to enhance their GROW horticultural programme, enabling trainees to make the most of their classroom time at their allotment. We were thrilled to help them achieve this goal.

We also have exciting plans with our neighbours at Emmaus, an organisation that supports people who have experienced homelessness, and Rise Academy, which operates two pupil referral settings in our area. These collaborations focus on employability, with initiatives such as factory tours and job shadowing designed to inspire and prepare individuals for their next steps.

Beyond Hull, and in line with the Trust’s commitment to supporting creative education, we’ve provided funding to The Bank of Dreams & Nightmares. This organisation empowers children aged 7-18 through free creative writing workshops. Their mission is to spark creativity, ensure access to the arts for all, and give young people a platform to express their voices. By targeting children from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds and communities with limited arts provision, their work supports academic, social, and emotional development. The funding from the Trust will enable them to create a long-term programme for primary schools, offering workshops that evolve as children progress through their school years. This grant will help The Bank of Dreams & Nightmares develop a progression model with greater impact.

We’re excited to announce the launch of the Trust’s first physical space – a pop-up at Humber Street Gallery in Hull. This vibrant venue will serve as a hub for workshops, events, and activities hosted by the Trust. A full programme of events will be unveiled soon, offering creative opportunities for the local community and beyond.

Humber Street Gallery is part of Absolutely Cultured, an organisation dedicated to nurturing creativity and culture in Hull. Absolutely Cultured has played a key role in shaping Hull’s cultural identity, building on the city’s success as the UK City of Culture in 2017. Their mission to enrich lives through arts and culture aligns perfectly with the Trust’s goals of breaking down barriers to opportunity and fostering creativity.

Both GF Smith and Absolutely Cultured share a passion for championing the arts and supporting individuals and organisations to achieve their creative potential. By partnering with Humber Street Gallery, the Trust aims to provide a welcoming and inspiring space for the community to engage with the arts, access resources, and take part in meaningful creative experiences.