The youth club, based at Hailsham Community College, closed its doors last September after young people said it wasn’t meeting their needs and stopped using it. East Sussex County Council’s Youth Development Service, in partnership with Hailsham Community College, spoke to young people in the town about what they wanted to see at the club and took on board all their ideas. They hope the improvements will draw a whole new crowd as well as welcome back those who have used it in the past.
Councillor Meg Stroude, Lead Member for Children and Families, said: “We wanted to make sure we were giving young people what they wanted. The youth club is there for them so it is vital that they are involved in choosing what is on offer there. We had a great response from young people and really hope they will enjoy using the new and improved club.”
Thanks to the consultation the club now boasts a brand new media suite created with equipment from MTV Boom and youth volunteering organisations Clubs for Young People and v. The joint scheme allows youth organisations to bid for technology, including DJ equipment, video cameras, and much more. They then use the equipment to make their own music videos and upload them to the MTV website.
The club has been completely spruced up with new sofas, a re-covered pool table as well as a whole host of things to do.
Paul Rogers Youth Club Manager added: “We wanted to make sure we got it right, which is why we spoke to so many young people. We aim to provide high quality youth work, in an environment that is right for young people. We really took on board what the young people said in terms of what they wanted out of the space and activities on offer, and I think we’ve delivered.”
Over the February half term a Brighton-based graffiti artist and a willing team of young people brightened up the club by transforming a boring white wall in the youth club into a work of art which they designed themselves.
The official opening will take place on Tuesday 17 March at Hailsham Community College where young people will have the chance to try out the new facilities and sign up to become members.
For more information phone 01323 841496.
For press enquiries contact Hannah Russell, Press Officer, on 01273 481345.
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