Active Humber has worked closely with The Peel Project over a long period, providing advice and support to help shape and develop this new facility. This collaboration is built on trust, shared values, and a commitment to improving opportunities for people living in one of Hull’s most diverse and underserved areas.
The project itself began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when The Peel Project was formed to address rising isolation and deprivation. Since then, it has grown into a vital community organisation delivering up to 20 grassroots services each week. These include a food bank, football teams, Jiu Jitsu classes, youth clubs, befriending sessions, and support for refugee and adult football programmes. Their work continues to respond directly to local need.
The new gym is a natural extension of this offer. More than just a fitness facility, it is a safe, inclusive space designed to help people move more, build strength, and improve their wellbeing. The programme includes women-only gym sessions delivered five times a week with a free crèche, boxing, weightlifting, and dedicated youth sessions for ages 16–18. These activities have been designed with accessibility and inclusion at their core, particularly for beginners and those less likely to engage in traditional sport and physical activity settings.
What makes this project stand out is the way it has been shaped through collaboration and lived experience. Local partners, including Active Humber, have worked alongside The Peel Project to provide guidance, resources, and support where needed, while ensuring the community remains at the centre of decision-making.
This approach shows the true value of place-based working. By combining local insight with strategic support, partners can help create sustainable spaces that do more than deliver activity, they build connection, trust, and long-term community resilience.
