As part of EFL Week of Action 2025, we are proud to highlight the transformation of the Safeguarding and Quiet Rooms at the MKM Stadium - a project inspired by young people and brought to life through creative collaboration.
Following consultations with young people and parents who attend our inclusive Premier League Kicks Disability sessions, who have special educational needs and disabilities — we asked whether they attend Hull City fixtures. A common response was “no,” with families explaining that if a young person goes into crisis, they often have to leave the stadium entirely.
To address this, we invited families to visit the Safeguarding and Quiet Rooms available on matchdays. While the spaces were accessible, feedback from young people was that they felt dull and uninviting. From there, the young people shared ideas on how the rooms could be made more welcoming, comfortable, and suitable for their needs.
Thanks to an extremely generous donation from the Sir James Reckitt Charity, we launched a social action project to bring these ideas to life. We reached out to Hull College, who are a valued partner from previous projects, and introduced their work experience students to the feedback we had received. After visiting the rooms, the students agreed that the spaces lacked personality and colour.
Student Olivia commented on seeing the space for the first time:
“When we first saw the space it was a very bland room with very vivid bright red colours, it definitely needed some work.”
The students worked together to explore design ideas, collaborating in groups to reimagine the rooms. Once they had agreed on their concepts, they began prepping the walls - sanding and painting them in preparation for the transformation.
After comparing initial designs for both the Safeguarding and Quiet Rooms, the group agreed on two distinct themes: one room would be more childlike and playful, while the other would have a more mature and calming feel. It was fantastic to see everyone’s creativity come together.
The students then traced their designs onto the walls and began painting with acrylics, producing a range of eye-catching artwork including vibrant tiger-themed murals to bring their designs to life.
The project also served as a valuable team building and work experience opportunity. Student Rhyannon shared:
“It was so different to doing stuff at college and school, like I felt like I had to make it right because it was for other people and it was to make other people happy and influence other people.”
Head of Community, Engagement & Safeguarding Kayleigh Jackson praised the students’ efforts:
“Seeing the students design initially before they are having to do all the prep work on the walls because the walls were so dull and then seeing their ideas, it was absolutely brilliant.”
Delivery Officer Megan Calvert added:
“I’ve never seen anything done like that before, if I’m being honest, I didn’t quite know what to expect, just it exceeded any expectations I thought I had, it was just amazing seeing it came to life from a pretty much grey blank space to just this whole vibrant room really, so it was amazing.”
Leanne Jensen, Disability Liaison Officer at Hull City, commented on the improvements at the stadium:
“Over the past two years, we have been on a journey to improve facilities and provisions for supporters living with disabilities.
The quiet room was a significant project to allow supporters with additional needs such as autism, ADHD and dementia to begin accessing live football. Supporters can now begin their journey by exploring the stadium, building confidence in their surroundings and knowing they have the safe space of the quiet room available when they need it most.
The funding has allowed us to work with the Trust to enhance the sensory space within the quiet room, creating a more regulating space for neurodivergent supporters. The feedback from supporters has been fantastic and we are delighted to see more supporters accessing the service throughout matchdays thanks to the refurbishment.”
Student Millie reflected on the impact of the project:
“I feel quite a bit of pride for being able to have that displayed somewhere for people to see.”
Once the rooms were decorated to a unbelievable standard and filled with sensory furniture, the transformation was truly remarkable. One room featured vibrant tiger designs, while the other was themed like an underwater fish tank. When our inclusive participants returned to see the finished spaces, their reactions were priceless.
A huge thank you to the Sir James Reckitt Charity for your kind donation, to Hull College for your creativity and commitment, and to Hull City for allowing us to carry out this fantastic social action project.
Together, we’ve created spaces that are not only safe, but truly welcoming.
Take a look at some photos showcasing the transformation - from the initial planning stages to the final results
Before
During
After
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