Hailsham Youth Service

SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN HAILSHAM (17/07/02/21)

Young people in Hailsham from school years 6-11 will be able to enjoy a wide range of activities throughout the summer holiday courtesy of Hailsham Youth Service, the Town Council's youth project team.

Hailsham Youth Service has organised a varied line-up of free activities designed to liven up the summer break and encourage even more young people through the doors of the Square Youth Cafe, Hellingly Youth Hub and Monday Youth Hub centres.

The Service's flagship centre, the Square Youth Cafe in Market Square is open as usual on weekday evenings from 6.45pm to 9pm and young people from (mixed) year groups 8-11 can enjoy playing pool, XBox games, board games and more, with food and refreshments available. Entrance is free.

Also taking place at 'The Square' during the summer holiday are the scheduled 'Wednesday Hangouts' sessions whereby young people (Years 6-9) can take part in cooking and craft activities on Wednesdays from 10.30am to 2pm. Again, entrance is free and refreshments will be available as usual.

Hellingly Youth Hub sessions will take place at the new Hellingly Community Hub building on Wednesday evenings (5.30pm to 7pm for Years 5-8 and 7.30pm to 9pm for Years 9-11). Additionally, a series of 'Family Fun Days' have been scheduled for the Hellingly Youth Hub, taking place every Wednesday (4th/18th/25th at Hellingly Community Hub; 11th at Horsebridge Recreation Ground).

If that was not enough, Monday Youth Hub sessions will take place at the James West Community Centre in Brunel Drive on Monday evenings (6.15pm to 7.30pm for Years 5-8 and 7.45pm to 9pm for Years 9-11), and there will be an 'Inflatables Day!' event at the Centre on Friday 6th August (10am to 12.30pm for Years 6-8 and 1pm to 3.30pm for Years 9-11).

For the Service team's safety and that of young people attending the centres, the wearing of face coverings is still highly encouraged, although not mandatory.

Helen Deane, Deputy Youth Project Coordinator, said young people have been happy with the wide range of summer activities in recent years, many of which were keenly anticipated: “We want this summer to be challenging and fun for young people and I know that those who take part in the various activities organised by Hailsham Youth Service and its project partners enjoy them tremendously."

"In recent months, we’ve looked closely at Covid-19 guidance from both the National Youth Agency and the Government on how to safely run our youth facilities and, we would strongly recommend that young people continue to wear face masks when attending. Staff will indeed be wearing them and will ensure the premises are sanitised regularly to make it the safest environment possible for everyone."

"Having said that, it will be great to be able to see everyone during the summer holidays and hope the town's young people will benefit from and enjoy the wide range of activities we have organised for the next few weeks!"

Town Mayor Councillor Paul Holbrook commented: "Parents can be confident that Hailsham Youth Service-run centres provide a safe environment for our local young people, giving them a place to socialise and take part in various activities during the school holidays."

"Our youth worker team has established a successful and ongoing service for young people in Hailsham and there’s no reason for young people to find themselves bored during the summer break!"