The Mayor of Hailsham Cllr Paul Holbrook has commended the Town Council’s youth worker team, Hailsham Youth Service, for providing young people with ample activities in a safe environment to help keep them occupied when not at school, and for the dedication and enthusiasm of the Town Council’s youth workers over the past year.
“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 after school and on weekday evenings,” said Cllr Holbrook.
“For 22 years, Hailsham Youth Service has improved the quality of life for local young people in the town and surrounding rural villages. Such benefits have been achieved through the integrated provision of recreation, opportunities for personal and social development, information and advice.”
“Starting in 1999 with the opening of the Service’s flagship facility – the Square Youth Café in Market Square, the service has since set up further facilities including the Hellingly Youth Hub, and Monday Youth Hub. Add to this, the wide range of recreational activities offered via the Friday Night Project and strong links forged over the years with other agencies, including Hailsham Community College, Knockhatch, Freedom Leisure and Sussex Police.”
Cllr Holbrook added: “The development of the Town Council’s youth projects since its launch over twenty years ago proves that there are ample opportunities for developing partnerships with other agencies to provide innovative work with individuals or groups of young people.”
“It has been a pleasure to work with Youth Service Manager Andy Joyes and his team during my long tenure as a town councillor – their positive attitude and obvious enjoyment in working with young people has ensured that Hailsham Youth Service has gone from strength to strength and continues to do so despite the current pandemic.”
“Of course, my gratitude goes to all staff and all teams working for the Town Council, whether they be officers, youth workers, post office staff or the outdoor/works operatives.”
Hailsham Youth Service, which provides activities, support services and opportunities for young people in the local area, operates the Square Youth Cafe, Hellingly Youth Hub, Monday Youth Hub and Safehub sessions on weekdays, opening times and details of which are available on their website and updated on a regular basis: hailshamyouthservice.org.
Furthermore, the Service has organised a line-up of free and low-cost activities at various locations on Friday evenings as part of the ‘Friday Night Project’, again details of which and a schedule of events are available to view on their website.
The current opening times for the youth centres are as follows:
Square Youth Cafe (Market Square)
Monday Youth Hub (James West Community Centre, Brunel Drive)
Hellingly Youth Hub (Hellingly Community Hub)
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.
Hailsham Youth Service also maintains a presence in the town centre and other locations on some weekday evenings via its ‘detached’ (outreach) team, helping to keep antisocial behaviour low and supporting young people experiencing a range of issues such as mental health and unemployment.
For further information on Hailsham Youth Service, email info@hailshamyouthservice.org.
Terry Hall, Communications Officer
Hailsham Town Council, Market Street, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AE
Telephone: 01323 841702 | Email: terry.hall@hailsham-tc.gov.uk