Hailsham Town Council Welcomes Local Student for Work Experience Placement

Hailsham Town Council recently welcomed local school pupil Jayden Dennis for a work experience placement designed to give him an insight into the wide-ranging work of a local authority and the services it provides to the community.

During his placement, Jayden spent time with several departments across the Council, allowing him to gain an understanding of both the operational and administrative aspects of local government. Council officers introduced him to a number of the Council’s land and properties, including Hailsham Cemetery, Hailsham Youth Centre and the James West Community Centre. These visits provided an opportunity to learn about the management, maintenance and community value of key local facilities.

As part of his placement, Jayden also undertook a variety of practical, hands-on tasks.

Jayden completed a stint on the Council’s reception and public enquiries desk, where he gained experience in customer service by taking phone calls and responding to emails from members of the public.

Jayden also worked alongside the Communications department, assisting with uploading news items to the Council’s website and online news channels and helping to prepare social media content, giving him an insight into how the Council communicates with residents and shares important information.

Additionally, Jayden met with Town Mayor Cllr Chris Bryant, where he learned about the duties the Mayor carries out within the local community.

Operations and Facilities Manager Tony Lee said: “We were very pleased to welcome Jayden to the Town Council for his work experience placement. Opportunities like this are important in helping young people understand how local councils operate and the role they play in everyday community life. Jayden approached every task with enthusiasm and maturity, and it was encouraging to see his interest in public service.”

Mr Lee added: “Showing Jayden around our sites and facilities was a great opportunity to demonstrate the variety of services the Council is responsible for. From managing community centres to maintaining important spaces such as the cemetery, he was able to see first-hand how much work goes on behind the scenes. He was keen to learn, asked plenty of questions and got involved wherever he could.”

Jayden’s placement formed part of Hailsham Town Council’s ongoing commitment to supporting education and skills development among young people in the local area. By working closely with schools, the Council aims to provide meaningful learning experiences that help students build confidence, develop practical skills and explore potential career paths.